For over 75 years, Bollfilter has been at the forefront of industrial filtration technology, delivering innovative solutions that span various sectors, including renewable energy, oil and gas, and water filtration. Based in Kerpen, Germany, the company remains a family-owned and operated business.
With 24 subsidiaries globally, Bollfilter has a robust presence across Europe and Asia, where it has become a trusted partner for ski resorts and snowmaking operations. Now, Bollfilter is setting its sights on North America, introducing its filtration systems to mountain resorts and revolutionizing snowmaking efficiency.
“Our specialty is automatic self-cleaning filters,” said Matt Gutierrez, Bollfilter’s technical sales representative for the West Coast. “[We focus] on water, gas and oil filtration.” Gutierrez, who used to work in the snowboard industry, says many resorts in North America are mainly relying on filter elements installed on snow guns for nozzle protection and didn’t know Bollfilter was an option. “Our flagship water filter, the aquaBoll is revolutionizing the way resorts look at filtration,” he said.
A proven track record in snowmaking
In Europe and Asia, Bollfilter has established itself as a key player in snowmaking. Over the past two decades, the company has sold more than 800 filters installed at ski resorts and was also used for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. This success is largely due to the European and Asian markets’ appetite for highly functioning systems and water requirements.
“If a company or resort is going to buy a turnkey solution for snowmaking, something that’s going to be automated, it’s going to have most, if not all of the equipment provided in the same purchase. It is important to package the most efficient equipment possible, and Boll provides critical filtration for these systems,” Gutierrez said. “TechnoAlpin is a longstanding partner of ours and offers our filters as part of their turnkey solutions.”
Addressing unique water quality challenges
Ski resorts often draw water from varied sources such as rivers, ponds and wells, each presenting unique challenges. “If you’re pulling out of a reservoir or pond, you may experience higher organic loads that lead to more nozzle disruptions. Wells, rivers and certain geographical locations present more sediment related issues that cause damage to equipment like pumps and pipes. Our objective is to filter the water as close to the source as possible to provide critical protection for all on-hill equipment,” Gutierrez said.
Bollfilter’s automatic self-cleaning filters are installed in the pump house, acting as the first line of defense by removing particulates and debris from water sources before they reach snow guns and lances.
“The guns are really the critical components of snowmaking because they have very fine nozzles,” Gutierrez said. “To make snow you’re forcing water and compressed air through a very small diameter nozzle, because the nozzles are so small, it doesn’t take much to clog them. If they get clogged, your equipment goes down, causing disruptions during crucial snowmaking windows”.
Bollfilter’s engineering team tailors its filtration solutions to address specific water quality issues. “We can customize our filter elements to address a specific problem,” Gutierrez said. “I’m currently working with a resort that pulls [water] out of a pond. They are experiencing problems with grassy/moss-like material. We tailored our element construction, using a proprietary process to be more resistant to algae and organic debris, ensuring that the contaminant is captured and flushed out during the backwash cycle. We can do this for sediment issues as well.
“If we know what’s in the water, we will provide a tailormade solution.”
Efficiency, sustainability and cost savings
Bollfilter’s solutions do more than just protect equipment; they improve overall system efficiency, reduce labor demands and maintenance costs. “Our filters run on 90 watts. The motor is engaged for 20 seconds, every two-and-a-half hours, which means energy consumption is minimal. Clean water will aid in total system efficiency and reduce costs associated to labor and maintenance. This adds to the sustainability of the resort,” he said.
“Having clean water is going to optimize the snowmaking system. An overall reduction in annual operational costs is the goal. As weather patterns change, resorts will likely rely on snowmaking for more consistent operations. If Boll can help resorts become more resilient and responsible, then I am all in. This community and sport are close to my heart, I’m so thrilled to be a part of this right now.”
Bollfilter’s systems are designed for long-term reliability, requiring minimal maintenance. The company recommends opening filters once a year during the off-season for inspection and cleaning. They offer a robust original equipment manufacturer spare parts program and access to the service team. The service team is available for virtual support and on-site training and maintenance.
Introducing Bollfilter to North America
Bollfilter recently began exploring opportunities in North America, marking its official entry into the market last winter. Gutierrez spearheaded this effort by connecting with mountain operations managers and directors.
“What I found was that nearly every resort struggles with some sort of water quality issue,” he said, adding many resorts are just including the cost of maintenance in the budget and accepting it as the price of operations. “Our goal here is to really educate resorts, educate industry that this is an option. And you don’t have to deal with the headache of poor water quality.”
Partnering for the future
Bollfilter’s collaboration with TechnoAlpin, a snowmaking equipment manufacturer, underscores its commitment to innovation and efficiency. “TechnoAlpin is a partner of ours. Their feedback is that they want to provide the resorts with the most efficient system possible,” Gutierrez said. “And having filtration in the pump house [providing] protection to their equipment is what’s really going to help achieve efficiency.”
Looking ahead, Bollfilter aims to expand its footprint in North America by continuing to educate the industry and providing customized solutions for snowmaking operations.
“The best part about adding this filter is that you put it in and you forget you have it. It’s going to operate automatically on its own. There’s no manual labor involved. We have filters installed 10 years-plus, in some of the most demanding industries that haven’t been opened or touched. They just work. It’s a true set it and forget it solution,” Gutierrez said, adding that they offer an industry leading five-year warranty.
Tailored solutions for every resort
Whether it’s reducing sediment, managing organics or handling large debris, Bollfilter’s systems are designed to adapt. “One thing that I’ve heard from a lot of resorts is that, ‘yes, we have poor water quality and we just build the cost of maintenance into our budget.’ Now if you can reduce that budget by 10%, 15%, 20%, it’s going to really serve as a benefit to the resort. The [return on investment] on an automatic filter system will be realized in year one,” Gutierrez said.
Bollfilter’s ability to filter down to 10 microns ensures precision and reliability. “To put it in perspective, the circumference of a human hair is about 70 microns,” Gutierrez said. “We really have the ability to tailor these systems to be engineered for a particular application. In snowmaking, some particles are needed for nucleation, so the sweet spot is 150 to 250 micron.”
The filters are also beneficial for off-season activities such as golf. Many resorts have golf courses that need irrigation for the grass and Gutierrez says they run into all the same problems that snowmaking does with their nozzles and sprinkler heads. “And so if they’re using the same water source this now is providing a solution for their golf course irrigation as well,” he said.
A commitment to excellence
With a legacy of German engineering and a track record of success in Europe and Asia, Bollfilter has the resources to make a significant impact in North America’s snowmaking industry. “We’re here to provide resorts with the tools they need to succeed,” Gutierrez said. “Clean water is the foundation of efficient snowmaking and we’re excited to help resorts achieve their goals.”
For more information about Bollfilter and its innovative filtration solutions, go to bollfilter.com/applications.
