CalG
Super Member
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2011
- Messages
- 5,900
- Location
- vermont
- Tractor
- Hurlimann 435, Fordson E27n, Bolens HT-23, Kubota B7200, Kubota B2601
Snow Cats are WAY COOL tools.On a warm day on top of the mountains near Jungfrau.
We also got to see them bringing up building supplies by helicopter.
View attachment 4080575
With a snow blade on the front, and a tiller on the back, they are ubiquitous "grooming machines" at any ski area.
The local bump I ski must have 10 or more, a couple with cable winches for doing the steeps.
I've been in them in blizzard conditions when the soft snow was flowing back over the upper tracks while making our way up hill. It's call "churning", and NOT a good way to go.
Most ski operations have sophisticated GPS systems that map snow depth etc, as the ski trails are being groomed.
I doubt there is a "crop" that ever sees as much "tilliage" as a busy ski area.
Hundreds of acres "groomed/ tilled" every night , 7 days a week, for as long as the ski area is open.
All for snow sliding!