Field work
Renewal of the ski slope in the
Wilson’s forest
Work sheet
Names: …………………………………………………………….…………………………..…………
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© Katedra geografie, Pedagogická fakulta, Masarykova univerzita, Brno, Česká republika
Eduard HOFMANN, Hana SVOBODOVÁ, Bohumír VESELÝ, Pavlína JEDLIČKOVÁ, Lucie PEŘINOVÁ
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Duration of activity:
Methods and forms
used:
Aims of the activity:
Aids:
Organisation:
7 lessons altogether: 2 lessons for preparatory phase in the
classroom, 3 lessons for realisation phase in field, 2 lessons for
final phase – processing and evaluation
Group work under the guidance of a teacher.
Drawing up your arguments for a renewal or denial of the ski
slope in the Wilson’s forest. The arguments must be based on
analytical and maps facts, gained yours work in a terrain. Your
work should show how to use geographical knowledge and
skills in decisional process.
Cartographic material, ruler, protractor, coloured pencils, thick
underlay with a clip, camera, GPS, orienteering compass, blank
papers for notes, pencil, glue.
Preparatory phase – 2 lessons:
 Motivation – see the text.
 Brainstorming – asking geographic questions, selection of
questions and division of questions into five thematic topics.
 Division into heterogeneous group according to thematic
topics, five groups.
o Preparation of maps materials printed in A3 form
(or glued A4), that will serve for work in a terrain (at
least a topographical map of the Wilson’s forest area
– 3 printouts, aerial photograph, cadastral map and
other maps according your consideration, all in a
huge scale).
o Preparation of above-mentioned aids.
o Finding out of available information about the ski
slope in the Wilson’s forest.
Realization phase: 3 lessons, without transport.
 Reconnaissance of a terrain.
 Make assignments in a terrain.
 Make photo documentation.
Final phase: 2 lessons.
 Drawing up of fairy copies – a map + text. A final report
according an example prepared by a teacher.
 Completion of a dictionary of geographical terms.
 Presentation of results in form of a poster or a PPT
presentation.
© Katedra geografie, Pedagogická fakulta, Masarykova univerzita, Brno, Česká republika
Eduard HOFMANN, Hana SVOBODOVÁ, Bohumír VESELÝ, Pavlína JEDLIČKOVÁ, Lucie PEŘINOVÁ
2
Motivation text
It was 70s of the 21st century. The time when was made an idea of building up the ski
slope in Brno. The idea did not have to wait long. In 1974 was festively opened the ski
slope in the Wilson’s forest. The ski slope was unique for a lot of aspects. It was situated
in the biggest forest park in Brno, which was established in 1882 by large landowner
Ludvík Odstrčil, with support of Emperor František Josef I. It was also unique from
a technical point of view. It was not necessary to have snow or temperatures below zero.
One could go skiing in summer holiday. The slope had an artificial surface and one could
ski, instead of snow, on special brushes. It was a sui generis project in the whole
Czechoslovakia and the ski slope started to be their favourite, not only due to its location
in the centre of a town but also due to its green surroundings.
It was hardly comparable with mountain centres. Despite this fact a lot of skiing clubs
were training there and whose charges competed with Czechoslovakia’s elite.
The ski slope has been decaying since 1992. A private firm has sold a cableway and the
special artificial surface either. Thus the only ski slope in Brno, with a cableway, has
been closed for everybody.
In 2000 a group of councillors encouraged a discussion about the renewal of the ski
slope in the Wilson’s forest, and the renewal was not the only thing.
The length of the ski slope was supposed to be three times longer and built a double-seat
ski lift was also in a plan. But local people were worried about disproportionate noise
from the artificial snowing and from a night adjusting of the ski slope by snow cats.
The administration decided to abandon the renewal of the ski slope definitively in 2008,
all based on petitions and demonstrations of the inhabitants of Brno.
Sources: http://brnensky.denik.cz/serialy/sjezdovky-v-brne-zatim-zustava-jen-u-prani20100103.html
http://www.pruvodcebrnem.cz/wilsonuv-les
Assignment
The city Brno is thinking about a renewal of the ski slope in Wilson’s forest, nevertheless
it does not have a sufficient amount of materials (geographical, economic, technical) for
decision.
The goal and performance of your work will be make material for decisional
procedure, which will take place at the municipality in Brno, all with help of
geographical knowledge and skills.
The municipality has given these assignments:
 The ski slope should be in service year-round. In summer people ski on an artificial
surface (on brushers). The same surface will be snowed in winter. In winter school
skiing is available in the forenoon hours and skiing clubs and the public in the
afternoon.
 Parameters of the ski slope: width 50 m, terrain modification is necessary from its
base (safe finish) to its peak, build alternative route for beginners with a milder
inclination, a cableway must be built by the ski slope.
© Katedra geografie, Pedagogická fakulta, Masarykova univerzita, Brno, Česká republika
Eduard HOFMANN, Hana SVOBODOVÁ, Bohumír VESELÝ, Pavlína JEDLIČKOVÁ, Lucie PEŘINOVÁ
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Brainstorming and division into groups according to thematic topics:
After reading of the introduction, try to work by method of brainstorm. Take on the role of
experts who have to prepare materials for the local authority decision-making process.
Write down yours ideas on what should be checked so as the local authority´s decision was
correct.
My ideas:
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After gathering of these issues put together five thematic groups divided according to
issues, which will then be addressed.
Our proposals for thematic topics:
1. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
The result of a brainstorming session might look like this. Divide into the following five
groups:
Assignment no. 1 – Evaluation of the localization from the scale of the renewal of
the ski slope
 Find out what the requirements are for ensuring the operation of the ski slope in
summer and winter.
 Draw a plan of the slope and the necessary landscaping on the map.
 Select and justify the choice of location for the start and finish of the cable car
route and its management.
 Predict and justify the selection of sites for parking cars in the lower and upper
part of the slope, mark the parking lots in the map including the recommended
roads.
 Output: Report for the city council assessing the possibilities for building the slopes
including maps and photographs.
© Katedra geografie, Pedagogická fakulta, Masarykova univerzita, Brno, Česká republika
Eduard HOFMANN, Hana SVOBODOVÁ, Bohumír VESELÝ, Pavlína JEDLIČKOVÁ, Lucie PEŘINOVÁ
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Vocabulary – terms which we will need to evaluate of the first topic
Term
Definition
Assignment no. 2 – Technical and economical appropriateness of the renewal of
the ski slope
 Select the best location for the placement of the snow cannons. At the same time
assess the possibility of the supply of potable water from the Svratka river.
 Calculate the area of the slope, which must be irrigated and to which it is necessary
to place brushes.
 Specify what building or other modifications need to be done to realize the slope
from the top to the base of the slope.
 Predict and justify the selection of sites for parking cars in the lower and upper
part of the slope, mark the parking lots in the map including the recommended
roads.
 Output: Prepare complete tender documentation for the procurement of small scale
civil works for the building modifications of the slope including accurate maps
recording the land modifications.
Vocabulary – terms which we will need to evaluate of the second topic
Term
Definition
Assignment no. 3 – Natural assumptions for the renewal of the ski slope
 Measure the inclination of the slope, its orientation, duration of insolation.
 Evaluate climatic conditions over the past five years using available data from the
Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. Please justify the selection of the indicators
and their development.
 On the basis of maps or your own fieldwork, draw a precise profile of the slope in
the terrain and propose and justify the deployment of 5 sensors to monitor the
weather on the slopes.
© Katedra geografie, Pedagogická fakulta, Masarykova univerzita, Brno, Česká republika
Eduard HOFMANN, Hana SVOBODOVÁ, Bohumír VESELÝ, Pavlína JEDLIČKOVÁ, Lucie PEŘINOVÁ
5
 Prepare the table into which the values of the meteorological parameters will be
recorded.
 Output: The evaluation report of the weather conditions, which will be used for the
decision of the Department of the Environment of the Brno City Municipality.
Meteo-data:
http://portal.chmi.cz/portal/dt?action=content&provider=JSPTabContainer&menu=JSPTa
bContainer/P4_Historicka_data/P4_1_Pocasi/P4_1_9_Mesicni_data&nc=1&portal_lang=cs
#PP_Mesicni_data
Vocabulary – terms which we will need to evaluate of the third topic
Term
Definition
Assignment no. 4 – Impact of the renewal of the ski slope on the surroundings of
the ski slope and the environment
 Create a methodology for observing visitors to the park in Wilson’s Wood. Perform
observations and find out what the average daily attendance of the park is and
what activities are run by people in the park.
 On the map mark the place in Wilson’ Wood, where people are most often present.
 Evaluate whether the restoration of the slope will affect the movement of people in
the park. On the map mark any place of conflict and explain the reasons for the
conflict.
 Calculate what area of the forest will become a "victim" of the slope.
 Try to assess what impact restoring the slope will have on the activities of the
surrounding slopes (especially housing, but also others).
 Output: Evaluation of the impact of restoring the slopes on the environment. The
report will serve as an argument for the Department for Environment for / against
restoring the slope.
Vocabulary – terms which we will need to evaluate of the fourth topic
Term
Definition
© Katedra geografie, Pedagogická fakulta, Masarykova univerzita, Brno, Česká republika
Eduard HOFMANN, Hana SVOBODOVÁ, Bohumír VESELÝ, Pavlína JEDLIČKOVÁ, Lucie PEŘINOVÁ
6
Assignment no. 5 – Public relations (PR)
 During the work of the working groups carry out photo / video documentation.
 Create a PR article in Brno Metropolitan on the possibility of restoring the slope.
 Create a questionnaire that will be distributed after the end of the field survey
among a) people living in the area, b) the residents of the city of Brno, c) to schools
that could benefit from the slope.
 Output: Create a slide show accompanied by a photo / video report for Brno
Municipality general representatives, which summarize the pros and cons of building
the slope.
Vocabulary – terms which we will need to evaluate of the fifth topic
Term
Definition
© Katedra geografie, Pedagogická fakulta, Masarykova univerzita, Brno, Česká republika
Eduard HOFMANN, Hana SVOBODOVÁ, Bohumír VESELÝ, Pavlína JEDLIČKOVÁ, Lucie PEŘINOVÁ
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The form of the final report:
The report and recommendations on territorial development
of the statutory city Brno
Statutory City Brno
City Hall of Brno
Dominikánské náměstí 1
601 67 Brno
Ing. Petr Vokřál
Mayor of the City
In Brno on: …………………
Matter: The report and recommendations on the proposed construction of a ski
slope in Wilson’s Woods in the statutory city of Brno
Dear Mr. Mayor,
In connection with the idea of building a ski slope in Wilson’s Wood, we have completed
an inquiry into the conditions of the proposed construction of a ski slope. The arguments
for and against the construction of a ski slope in the centre of Brno Described are
described below.
During the investigation, we came to the following conclusions:
Positives
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Negatives
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© Katedra geografie, Pedagogická fakulta, Masarykova univerzita, Brno, Česká republika
Eduard HOFMANN, Hana SVOBODOVÁ, Bohumír VESELÝ, Pavlína JEDLIČKOVÁ, Lucie PEŘINOVÁ
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Given the above findings, we recommend:
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The report was done by:
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© Katedra geografie, Pedagogická fakulta, Masarykova univerzita, Brno, Česká republika
Eduard HOFMANN, Hana SVOBODOVÁ, Bohumír VESELÝ, Pavlína JEDLIČKOVÁ, Lucie PEŘINOVÁ
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