Snow grooming

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A snow groomer for alpine slopes with plow, a surface finishing attachment for ski slopes, and a cable winch for grooming steep slopes Oberstdorf Germany Nebelhornbahn-Snow-groomer-01.jpg
A snow groomer for alpine slopes with plow, a surface finishing attachment for ski slopes, and a cable winch for grooming steep slopes
A snow groomer for cross-country trails with snow plow and attachments for the skate and classical lanes. Latukone.jpg
A snow groomer for cross-country trails with snow plow and attachments for the skate and classical lanes.
A groomed alpine skiing piste or trail Poranne narty - panoramio.jpg
A groomed alpine skiing piste or trail
A groomed cross-country trail, showing corduroy for skate-skiing and classic tracks (left) Skate skiing track.jpg
A groomed cross-country trail, showing corduroy for skate-skiing and classic tracks (left)

Snow grooming is the process of manipulating snow for recreational uses with a tractor, snowmobile, piste caterpillar, truck or snowcat towing specialized equipment. The process is used to maintain ski hills, cross-country ski trails and snowmobile trails by grooming (moving, flattening, rototilling, or compacting) the snow on them. [1] A variation of the technique is used to construct snow runways in Antarctica.

Contents

A snow groomer is usually employed to pack snow and improve skiing and snowboarding and snowmobile trail conditions. The resulting pattern on the snow is known as corduroy, [2] and is widely regarded as a good surface on which to ski or ride. Snow groomers can also move accumulated snow made by snow machines as part of a process, called "snow farming".

Snow groomer

A snow groomer (informally called a "piste basher" in the United Kingdom) [3] [4] is a tracked vehicle equipped in front with a shovel (or dozer blade) and behind with a cutter (or roller). [5] It is usually driven by diesel engines. When the machine drives over a snowfield, it pushes snow ahead of it and, at the same time, smooths out any surface unevenness.

Snow groomers built for ski slopes employ front mounted, hydraulically operated blades, powered rotary tillers and specialized shaping equipment for not only maintaining ski slopes, but also for building half pipes, terrain parks and snow tube parks. Cross-country skiing trails are also groomed in similar fashion, often with a wide "corduroy" area that allows skate-skiing plus classic ski tracks, imprinted with specialized ski guides. [6] Manufacturers include Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug (Germany), Prinoth (Italy), [7] Tucker Sno-Cat (US), the Ohara Corporation (Japan), [8] Zaugg (Switzerland), [9] Favero Snow Tech (Italy) [10] and Aztec/CM Dupon (France).

Snow groomers can handle very steep gradients due to their low centre of gravity and large contact area, but they can also be assisted by winches. Using cable lengths of up to 1,200 metres and a tractive force of up to 4.8 tonnes, winches can support the machines on steep slopes. [11]

Snow groomers warn skiers and snowboarders with visual or acoustic signals. Groomers are mostly sent out during the night time after the close of the ski area so as not to interfere with daily and night skiing. [12]

Due to their mobility and low ground pressure (typically 0.040 to 0.060 kg/cm2 (about 4 to 6 kN/m2) snow groomers are sometimes used elsewhere, e.g. for agricultural purposes, moving bulk goods, working on peat bogs or at biogas sites. [13]

Snow grooming equipment

Snow grooming equipment towed by a smaller vehicle like a Side-by-Side UTV or snowmobile can be used for maintaining narrow paths, laying Nordic cross-country ski trails, or fatbike trails. These compact snow groomers make corduroy trails where a large snow groomer cannot access. [14]

Snow farming

Snow farming is the use of obstacles, equipment and knowledge about management of snow in order to strategically manipulate snow coverage. Often this is done for the purpose of skiing or even preventing snow drift in certain areas like roads. The most popular obstacle is the snow fence, which is used to create drifts and collect more snow in a given area than would otherwise naturally occur. The snow can be moved to other areas and groomed with the use of a snow groomer. Sometimes the snow fence is readily movable in order to maximize the collection of blown snow, despite wind direction changes. [15] [16] In Mora, Minnesota, the annual Vasaloppet USA cross-country ski race would be in jeopardy without the use of snow farming to compensate for the lack of natural snow in recent years. [17]

Snow runway construction

Snow grooming is used in construction and maintenance of airstrips to support research stations in Antarctica. U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) researchers described the engineering parameters necessary to make improvements to natural snow for use in landing fields. [18] One level of improvement is used to support aircraft with skis. [19] In 2016, CRREL researchers perfected field preparation practices that allow for use of heavy military transport and other wheeled aircraft on snow runways in Antarctica. Proof-of-concept tests employed a C-17. Wheeled aircraft capability exists at the US McMurdo Station and ski landings are routine at the Australian Davis Station. [20]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cross-country skiing</span> Form of snow skiing

Cross-country skiing is a form of skiing whereby skiers traverse snow-covered terrain without use of ski lifts or other assistance. Cross-country skiing is widely practiced as a sport and recreational activity; however, some still use it as a means of travel. Variants of cross-country skiing are adapted to a range of terrain which spans unimproved, sometimes mountainous terrain to groomed courses that are specifically designed for the sport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skiing</span> Recreational activity and sport using snow skis

Skiing is the use of skis to glide on snow for basic transport, a recreational activity, or a competitive winter sport. Many types of competitive skiing events are recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alpine skiing</span> Sport of skiing downhill

Alpine skiing, or downhill skiing, is the pastime of sliding down snow-covered slopes on skis with fixed-heel bindings, unlike other types of skiing, which use skis with free-heel bindings. Whether for recreation or for sport, it is typically practiced at ski resorts, which provide such services as ski lifts, artificial snow making, snow grooming, restaurants, and ski patrol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ski resort</span> Resort developed for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports

A ski resort is a resort developed for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports. In Europe, most ski resorts are towns or villages in or adjacent to a ski area – a mountainous area with pistes and a ski lift system. In North America, it is more common for ski areas to exist well away from towns, so ski resorts usually are destination resorts, often purpose-built and self-contained, where skiing is the main activity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snowmobile</span> Land vehicle designed for travel on snow

A snowmobile, also known as a snowmachine, motor sled, motor sledge, skimobile, or snow scooter, is a motorized vehicle designed for winter travel and recreation on snow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obertauern</span> Winter sports resort in Austria

Obertauern is a tourist destination which is located in the Radstädter Tauern in the Salzburger Land of Austria. The winter sports resort is separated in two communities: Tweng and Untertauern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Les Trois Vallées</span> Ski region in France

Les Trois Vallées is a ski region in the Tarentaise Valley in the Savoie department of Southeastern France, to the south of the town of Moûtiers, partly in Vanoise National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ski touring</span> Skiing on unmarked or unpatrolled areas

Ski touring is skiing in the backcountry on unmarked or unpatrolled areas. Touring is typically done off-piste and outside of ski resorts, and may extend over a period of more than one day. It is similar to backcountry skiing but excludes the use of a ski lift or transport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Backcountry skiing</span> Skiing in unmarked or unpatrolled areas

Backcountry skiing (US), also called off-piste (Europe), alpine touring, freeriding or out-of-area, is skiing in the backcountry on unmarked or unpatrolled areas either inside or outside a ski resort's boundaries. This contrasts with alpine skiing, which is typically done on groomed trails benefiting from a ski patrol. Unlike ski touring, backcountry skiing can – and often does – include the use of ski lifts including snowcats and helicopters. Recent improvements in equipment have increased the popularity of the sport. As the sport does confront the individual practicing it with the dangers of natural, unprepared alpine terrain like avalanches, it is generally recommended to carry standard safety equipment and to learn beforehand how to behave safely under such conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snowcat</span> Enclosed-cab, truck-sized, fully tracked vehicle designed for over-snow travel

A snowcat is an enclosed-cab, truck-sized, fully tracked vehicle designed to travel over snow. Major manufacturers are PistenBully (Germany), Prinoth (Italy), and Tucker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piste</span> Marked ski run

A piste is a marked ski run or path down a mountain for snow skiing, snowboarding, or other mountain sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Badger Pass Ski Area</span> Ski area in California, United States

Badger Pass Ski Area is a small ski area located within Yosemite National Park. Badger Pass is one of only three lift serviced ski areas operating in a US National Park. It is situated five miles (8 km) south-southeast of the Chinquapin intersection of Wawona Road with Glacier Point Road in the southern area of Yosemite National Park. Glacier Point Road provides the access to this ski area. During high snow level and/or ski season, Glacier Point road terminates at Badger Pass Ski Resort. Under these conditions, the remainder of Glacier Point Road is used for cross-country skiing access to Glacier Point and other destinations in the high country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rukatunturi</span> Mountain in Kuusamo, Finland

Rukatunturi is a 492 metres (1,614 ft) high fell and a ski resort in Kuusamo, Finland. Apart from downhill skiing, there are over 500 km of cross-country skiing tracks. Also snowmobiles can be rented to enjoy some of the area's 600 km of snowmobile routes. Ruka is also the southern end of the Karhunkierros hiking trail. The total of trails in Ruka and Kuusamo area is: 160 km of hiking trails, 605 km of biking routes, 350 km of classified paddling routes and 100 km of boating routes.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patriot Hills Base Camp</span> Antarctic Camp

Patriot Hills Base Camp was a private seasonally occupied camp in Antarctica. It was located in the Heritage Range of the Ellsworth Mountains, next to the Patriot Hills that gave it its name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of skiing</span> Overview of and topical guide to skiing

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to skiing:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sugarloaf Provincial Park</span> Provincial Park in Campbellton, New Brunswick, Canada

Sugarloaf Provincial Park is an 11.5-square-kilometre (4.4 sq mi) all-season provincial park located in the Campbellton community of Atholville. It opened in 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neumayer Station III</span> Antarctic base

Neumayer Station III, also known as Neumayer III after geophysicist Georg von Neumayer, is a German Antarctic research station of the Alfred-Wegener-Institut. It is located on the approximately 200 metres (660 ft) thick Ekström Ice Shelf several kilometres south of Neumayer Station II. The station's assembly kit was transported to its current position early in November 2007. It is moving with the shelf ice at about 157 meters (515 ft) per year towards the open sea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cross-country skiing trail</span>

A cross-country skiing trail or loipe is a route that has been laid out, constructed and maintained specifically for cross-country skiing. Trails may extend point-to-point, but are more typically loops for recreational use or for competition. Until the mid-20th Century, trails were tracked by the passage of skiers. More recently, snow groomers set tracks for classic skiing and smooth lanes for skate skiing.

This glossary of skiing and snowboarding terms is a list of definitions of terms and jargon used in skiing, snowboarding, and related winter sports.

References

  1. ↑ USSA Cross-Country Technical Handbook (PDF). U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association. 2004. pp. 2–337.
  2. ↑ Lockwood, Auguste, Corduroy for Groomed Trails , retrieved 2020-10-04
  3. ↑ "Piste basher". Cambridge English Dictionary. 2019. Retrieved 2019-07-26.
  4. ↑ Martin, Iain (2018-10-02). "Meet the world's first wheelchair-bound piste basher driver fulfilling his childhood dream". The Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 2019-08-19.
  5. ↑ Mason, Kenneth (1980) Investigation No. 731-TA-36 International Trade Commission USITC Pub 1117 1980 Appendix p2
  6. ↑ Older, Jules (1998). Cross-Country Skiing for Everyone . Stackpole Books. p.  87. ISBN   9780811727082. snow grooming.
  7. ↑ The History of Cats Ski Area Management 2015
  8. ↑ Snow Vehicles Ohara Corp
  9. ↑ Zaugg track-based snow clearing systems Global Railway Review 2016
  10. ↑ History Favero Snow Tech
  11. ↑ Neue Windentechnologie für steilste Hänge (Sherpa-Winde, Prinoth) ISR Internationale Seilbahn-Rundschau 22 April 2011, retrieved 5 September 2014
  12. ↑ Snowmakers, snowmaking prevail when Mother Nature is uncooperative Archived 2007-10-08 at the Wayback Machine - Pocahontas Times - Mountain Times, Vol. 6 No. 2 February 2007
  13. ↑ Pistenraupen zum Bewegen von Hackgut TEST Pistenraupe Prinoth LH 500, Anwender: Thermo Wipptal AG, (photos dated 15 June 2011), retrieved 5 September 2014
  14. ↑ "Types of Snow Groomers". snowgroomers.net. 28 November 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
  15. ↑ Agrawala, Shardul (2007), Climate Change in the European Alps Adapting Winter Tourism and Natural Hazards Management: Adapting Winter Tourism and Natural Hazards Management, Environment & Sustainable Development, Paris: OECD Publishing, p. 136, ISBN   9789264031692
  16. ↑ Nelson, Janet (February 1973), "Groom Boom", Ski Magazine, p. 47, retrieved 2017-05-09
  17. ↑ "In Northern Minnesota, 'Snow Farmers' Make Sure A Ski-Racing Tradition Endures". NPR.org. Retrieved 2019-02-11.
  18. ↑ Vinson, Ted S.; Rooney, James W.; Haas, Wilbur H. (1996-01-01). Roads and Airfields in Cold Regions: A State of the Practice Report. ASCE Publications. pp. 91–94. ISBN   978-0-7844-7412-9.
  19. ↑ This week at Davis: 18 January 2019 Australian Antarctic Division. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  20. ↑ Caruso, Aimee (18 December 2016). "CRREL Engineers Build Runway in Antarctica". The Valley News . Retrieved 23 January 2023.
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