Sleeper sits down with TechnoAlpin to discuss cold therapy, wellness in hospitality and bringing snow to hotel interiors.

How would you describe TechnoAlpin’s approach as a company?

TechnoAlpin Indoor brings snow inside, anywhere in the world, 365 days a year – it’s an exclusive unique selling proposition for any space. We look at the power of cold through the use of snow in high-end wellness and fitness spaces as a form of contrast therapy, and as unique experiences in museums, hotels and restaurants, theme parks and flagship stores.

TechnoAlpin, headquartered in Bolzano, Italy, has been making snow on ski slopes and trails around the world for 30 years. One of our core values is to innovate constantly – every year we invest approximately €6,000,000 into research and development in order to continue delivering new innovations.

Tell us about how you leverage the power of snow…

TechnoAlpin Indoor’s mission is divided into two core segments: snow for wellbeing and snow for experience design.

Snow for well-being

Snow has beneficial effects on the body and the mind, and TechnoAlpin Indoor is constantly working on new snow solutions for the spa and wellness industry. In the world of spa and wellness, heat is still predominantly used over cold. However, cold and heat rely on one another to deliver their full health-promoting potential. TechnoAlpin Indoor’s vision of a modern spa area therefore includes installations that make every dimension of wellness possible, through combining hot and cold.

The cold can provide many physical health benefits but also mental health benefits, caused by positive stress exposure. With the cold, the body is exposed to a short moment of controlled stress. Following such exposure, the body’s ability to react to stressful situations is trained and long-term stress is reduced. Muscle regeneration, fat-burning, boosting the immune system and training blood vessels are just some of the additional physical health benefits the cold is able to provide.

Cold therapy is made accessible for everyone with TechnoAlpin Indoor products. The SnowRoom represents the highest form of cooling down – a holistic way for everyone, even pain-sensitive guests, to enjoy the benefits of cooling down holistically. The combination of cold air, real snow, natural fragrances and sound elevate the cold therapy to a new dimension. Meanwhile, the SnowSky lets the snowflakes fall from above, helping to relax body and mind. 

Snow for experience design

On the other hand, snow can also be an experiential highlight in interiors, for instance in hospitality design, flagship stores, museums, experience spaces and amusement parks. The added benefit is that snow can be integrated easily within a range of different design concepts.

What sets TechnoAlpin Indoor apart from other spa & wellness brands?

We support customers to design innovative cold experiences and our background makes us highly specialised in snow production. We not only provide the technical expertise, but also offer turnkey solutions with consulting, planning, installation and regular maintenance. Customised and tailor-made solutions ensure that what we provide aligns perfectly with the philosophy of the customer. TechnoAlpin Indoor offers a wellness solution which makes coldness attractive for guests.

How important is wellness to the luxury traveller of today?

Wellness has become more and more important over the years. Guests in the luxury sector are no longer just looking for accommodation, but for a facility that offers exceptional design on the one hand and wellbeing for the body, mind and soul on the other. Global wellness has experienced a shift after the pandemic. For instance, thermal experiences have become more and more social, and mental health has become more important alongside physical health. In addition, prevention, strengthening the immune system and biohacking the body has become a huge trend that is very often solved with cold and contrast therapy. Not everyone will use a gym, sauna or swimming pool in a hotel. But, our offerings can expand a hotel’s wellness offerings, giving guests a wider chance to feel good.

What can your solutions (SnowRoom / SnowSky) bring to hotels?

Snow is a unique wellness solution that can allow hotels to stand out from the competition – a differentiating factor that brings additional luxury. SnowSky is both a wellness-oriented invitation for guests to experience the cold, and is also resource-saving for hotels, since only a small amount of water is needed. SnowRoom can be used to increase a hotel’s wellness facilities, with snow inside a spa area adding extra value.

Additionally, spas equipped with SnowRoom have the possibility to thermally recover 80% of the supplied energy to heat, for example, a hotel’s swimming pool. SnowRoom only needs to use one litre of water to make five times the amount of snow, thanks to our patented technology. As a result, only 250 litres per week are needed for a SnowRoom full of fresh snow every day.

Tell us about some of your recent hospitality projects…

The Lodge at Woodloch is the first US destination spa resort to use SnowRoom. It brings the magical appeal – and accessible cold therapy benefits – of tingling cold and soft powder snow to guests at the Lodge 365 days a year, something that is having a hugely positive impact.

“Everything at the Lodge is based around nature and the SnowRoom fits right into that,” says John Kiesendahl, owner and CEO of Woodloch Resorts. “It’s completely natural and totally invigorating. It makes me feel great. Guests are happier than ever…they’re going to come back next year and they’re going to tell their friends. The SnowRoom is contributing to continuing growth of the Lodge. It’s one of the best things we’ve ever done.”

What’s next for TechnoAlpin?

We are continuously seeking to improve and elevate our concepts with cold and snow, as operating in a market as dynamic as wellness means we can never stand still! We are also continuing to raise awareness about the power of cold in general and its benefits in contrast therapy.