Even when it doesn’t snow....

Even when it doesn't snow we still have to do some grooming to have good tracks. As you ski the friction between the ski and the snow causes a thin film of water to form. That thin film of water eventually freezes and after many skiers have used the trail it gets icy and fast. We slow the surface down by re-tracking the trail.

----- Hint for staying in the tracks when they are twisty and or difficult---- Lean into the turn with your inside shoulder and ski on the inside edge. You will be surprised how much that helps. It's an old downhill technique.  

Larry T.

Changing Snow

We all see the snow when it falls in those fluffy little flakes, but did you ever wonder what happens to it when it hits the ground? Once the snow hits the ground it begins to age and the flake crystals start to compress, compact and loose their sharpness. As the snow ages and packs we have to use heavier and heavier tools to groom. Our roller for instance is a great tool for the first two grooms. Then we have to use something heavier like our yellowstone compaction drag. If we get new snow, then we can go back to the lighter roller and if we get bombarded with new snow then we have to go to an even lighter wood drag on the first pass.

As of today, Jan. 7th. it is warm and the snow is melting. We can't do anything with it now until it freezes again. When it does freeze it will be transformed snow and be very hard and almost icy. we will have to be real aggressive with the snow then to loosen it up. During the ski season we have to access the snow condition each day and decide which tools to use. The snow is constantly changing form so if we are careful and pay attention we can usually get it right.

Larry T

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This year our snow came early and we have been busy getting the trails prepped and ready. I thought I would let you know what we have to do to get them in ship shape.

When the snow first falls it is usually light and fluffy with a lot of air in it. We need to make a nice firm surface and get that air out to make a good skiable surface. Here is how we do it:

We start by packing with snowmobiles and we make a minimum of 3 snowmobile passes. Then we make a couple of passes with a wood drag to level the snow. Then we use the roller and the heavy metal drag to comb it and firm it up. Finally we set track. Even after all this the trails can still be lumpy so we will use the heavy metal drag to level and smooth some more. Also, there are 3 spots on the trail where we have to hand shovel the snow to get enough base to ski on. All of that work has been done and the trails are pretty firm and level now so come out and enjoy.

One of our new pieces of equipment is a 60” Ginzu groomer. This new grooming tool uses knives to mix and churn the snow which allows for a much better pack. We notice that it also lays much straighter lines than the other tools we have used behind the snowmobiles. Please be aware though that we are still getting used to this new piece of equipment. You may notice that the tracks wander a bit around the corners. We are finding that the snowmobile is harder to navigate the turns with the Ginzu groomer attached. Please be patient, we’re working on mastering it!

Larry T

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