Snow Grooming | January 2015

JANUARY 2015 | ISSUE 7

TRAILS

TUCKER SNO-CATS

ALL-TRACK’S NEW AT-20 BENEFITS BEHIND DEALER PRICING

VISIT US ONLINE

For articles, events, product catalogue and more! snowgroomingmag.com

ISSUE

The Next Generation is Here.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

January 2015 | Issue 7

03 04 08 12

Message from the Publisher

By Connie Lester

Tucker − King of the Hill

Fendt Tractors − From Farmers’ Fields to Snowmobile Trails

By Mark Halsall

Ski Mountain Supply − Bamboo Poles Staking a Claim in the Snow

By Jim Timlick

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The New BISON: a combination of power, performance, comfort and low emissions.

Featuring the innovative Clean Motion engine, the industry’s lowest operating costs, un-matched visibility and outstanding grooming and park building capabilities … discover the New BISON at www.prinoth.com/COMINGSOON

42 46 50

04

By Jim Timlick

08

All-Track Inc. − Expecting Big Things from the AT-20

By Jim Timlick

Maxey Mfg. Joins Forces with MGS Inc.

By Mark Halsall

Colorado Mountain College − School Helping Make Snow Dreams Come True

By Jim Timlick

The RiderX Snow Trails App from Polaris − Ensuring Accuracy

By Mark Halsall

A Groomer Profile − Ross Longhini

By Mark Halsall

Considering the Benefits Behind Dealer Pricing

By Jim Timlick

Hot Tech Trends for 2015

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THE MOST VERSATILE GROOMER

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE January 2015 | Issue 7

Connie Lester

Published by

R

2851 Henderson Highway Winnipeg, MB R2E 0C5 Website: snowgroomingmag.com Email: info@snowgroomingmag.com Phone: 1-204-505-5858 Fax: 1-204-505-5859

Publisher Connie Lester clester@snowgroomingmag.com Managing Editor Mark Halsall editor@snowgroomingmag.com Design & Layout Edge Marketing Strategies

Soucy Track’s track systems are the most versatile grooming option out there.

With our ingenious four-track system, your tractor will get the traction, flotation, and comfort you need for grooming your trails.

© 2014 Integrit Media Inc. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the publisher.

A true Swiss army knife VARY YOUR OPERATIONS

Since the groomer is separate from the tractor, you can use the tractor’s hydraulic outlets and three-point hitch to install a variety of equipment for different operations, whether it’s summer and winter.

GO BACK TO TIRES WHENEVER YOU LIKE

You can go back to tires easily at any time, which lets you maximize your tractor’s productivity by using it twelve months a year.

TRACTION, FLOTATION AND UNMATCHED COMFORT

We’ve designed our track systems to offer you optimal traction and flotation capacity. We’ve also developed tracks of varying widths to meet different needs. The four-track system also ensures constant contact with the ground, which improves flotation, traction and comfort.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by the authors and/or editorial sources contained in Snow Grooming Magazine are those of the respective parties and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the publisher.

Publication Mail Agreement #42677534.

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 2851 Henderson Highway Winnipeg, MB R2E 0C5 Printed in Canada.

www.soucy-track.com

Publisher Welcome to Snow Grooming Magazine!

I

’ve had many conversations with resort owners and club organizers about the challenges of creating a “perfect” trail on the snow. Enthusiasts within every snow sport have strived to create a better way to make trails that are easily traversable by any level of enthusiast within their sport. That’s the whole point of grooming. We’ve been perfecting this task for more than 100 years.

The love of our snow sports often starts with one exceptional day that can lead to a lifetime of remarkable adventures on the snow. But as more people are introduced and become “hooked” on snow sports, the more we are confronted with the impact of the many who now enjoy these activities within the natural regions of our planet.

Environment is the other half of why we love our snow sports. We are in awe-inspiring places that we’d NEVER be without the love of our sport. It like a marriage that will never divorce.

Natural wilderness IS the topping on our recreational cake. For this reason, the environment is highly important to ski and snowmobile organizations alike, and is a driving force behind why more and more people are getting involved in snow sports.

As the number of participants grows, the more we need equipment and technology to get trails groomed smoother, more often, and within the guidelines of the environment stewardship so that all snow enthusiasts can enjoy their recreation safely on the trail.

By providing groomed trail ways for enthusiasts to enjoy, we are doing our part to organize our groups to stay within those boundaries and help keep people safe from the harm that can exist outside the trail systems. And by keeping enthusiasts on the trails, we are also decreasing the environmental footprint of snow sports.

Some might assume that, because we use vehicles and equipment in natural environments, snow sports enthusiasts do no care about the environment. Nothing could be further from the truth.

We are in these wondrous places every day.

We see the beauty that is bestowed upon us. We can see the fragility of what we consider is the better half of our recreational experiences. We all want what’s best for our environment, now and forever. We educate ourselves to know how our actions affect the environment, and continue to take steps to decrease the impact of our activities.

For example, snowmobile and ski organizations have large components within their national mandates that deal with environmental stewardship. Please check out the following organizations for their considerations on environmental topics:

National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) www.nsaa.org Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association (PSNAA) www.pnsaa.org Canada West Ski Areas Association (CWSAA) www.cwsaa.org Ontario Snow Resorts Association (OSRA) www.skiontario.ca American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA) www.snowmobilers.org Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations (CCSO/CCOM) www.ccso-ccom.ca I commend our snow sports organizations for the thousands and thousands of hours spent in discussions with experts and government officials, organizing groups to focus on environmental issues, and producing and constantly updating the necessary documentation on initiatives that provide us the best possible environment we all can ride and ski in!

Sincerely,

Connie Lester, Publisher, Snow Grooming Magazine

snowgroomingmag.com | Issue 7 | SNOW GROOMING

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King of the Hill The Tucker Sno-Cat Corporation has been an industry leader in snow machines for close to a century.

Even with its enduring success, the company is always looking at what it can do differently or better, and it is introducing several new innovations this season.

By Jim Timlick

With a legacy going back many decades, the Tucker name is recognized as being the oldest manufacturer of snow vehicles in the world. Still, the company is not content to rest on its laurels.

W

ith advances in snow grooming technology being introduced at a sometimes dizzying pace, companies can no longer rely solely on past success to drive them forward.

You won’t get any argument on that count from the management team at Tucker Sno-Cat Corporation. Despite having been around since the 1920s, the family-owned company is constantly monitoring what’s going on in the industry in order to deliver the type of products its customers say they need, according to Tucker sales manager John Meilicke.

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“We really get our feelers out there and try to get an idea of what’s needed and what will work, says Meilicke. “That’s kind of what’s got us where we are today.”

With its rich legacy, the Tucker Sno-Cat name is arguably more well known and established than any other in the snow grooming business, and the machines are widely acclaimed for superior durability and versatility.

While the basic design of these classic snow workhorses, with their four-track system that’s been perfected over time since being introduced in 1948, isn’t changing, Tucker vehicles will see some exciting improvements this season.

One of the innovations that company officials are most excited about is the introduction of a new type of steel base to Tucker’s line of Sno-Cat machines.

According to Meilicke, the move from a traditional truss style frame to a new C channel frame is a significant upgrade that enables the machines to be both lighter and stronger.

“That’s a big deal,” he says. “In the over snow game, you’re trying to stay as light as you can on your tracks so you can stay on top of the snow. You want to keep your flotation as good as you can. By going to that channel style frame, not only do we shed some weight, we also gain some strength.”

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Tucker engineers worked with an Oregon-based company that provides lift gates for pickup and utility trucks to come up with the design. “It seems to have worked out really well,” Meilicke says.

Enhanced Fuel Emission Standards The people at Tucker take their environmental responsibilities very seriously.

As a result, one of the company’s top priorities is to meet the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s tier emission standards in all of its products, according to Meilicke.

“We’re constantly working with engine manufacturers to make sure we meet the required EPA standards,” he says. Tucker is currently Tier 4 certified by the EPA and has three separate horsepower ratings for its engines.

“ We want to remain king of the hill.

We realize there’s always room for improvement.”

– John Meilicke Tucker manufactured a demonstration model with the new frame in 2013 and since then has produced three other machines that have been used in field testing and by some of their customers.

Meilicke says the company has been extremely pleased with the reception the new frames have received. Many Tucker customers have said how much they like the new, more modern look of the machines and how much more durable the new frames seem to be.

“The strength of the frame is ( frequently mentioned). They’re not (noticing) any fatigue in the frame at all. We didn’t have a lot of fatigue before but the customers that did experience some of that are now extremely happy with the new style frame,” Meilicke says.

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This is the second season Tucker snow machines will have the new EPA-certified engines. Meilicke says the feedback the company has received on the new engines has been largely positive.

“We’ve tried to make it where they’re as user-friendly as possible. Performancewise, the customers (say) they haven’t really noticed any lack of performance,” he says.

“As far as cleanliness and exhaust smoke and all of that, they run so clean now that we’ve had feedback from our customers [saying] it’s nice not to smell any diesel fumes. They say when it’s running in their shop now they don’t notice the blue diesel smoke like they used to in the old days. That’s been a huge benefit.”

One of the company’s early concerns about the new engines was what impact the changes might have on fuel efficiency. Those concerns were never realized as early results have shown

some notable gains in fuel efficiency and the new engines actually burn fewer gallons of fuel per hour than their predecessors, Meilicke says. He adds efforts to meet the EPA’s next set of tier standards, which will be introduced in 2016, are already well underway.

For the Tucker team, striving to produce a better Sno-Cat with improvements in such areas as structural redesign and enhanced fuel emission standards is just part of doing business. “We want to remain king of the hill,” says Meilicke. “We realize there’s always room for improvement.” ❃

MORE ONLINE! For service tips, see Tucker’s video at snowgroomingmag.com/ tuckerservicetips

A new rubber track system known as the Tucker Rubber Bar is available on all of the company’s production machines this season.

“ This is a game-changer! ” – Kyle Westberry, Kirkwood, CA

A new type of steel base has been introduced to the Tucker line of Sno-Cats this season, enabling the machines to be both lighter and stronger.

New Track System Tucker is always striving to improve upon its track systems to improve the customer experience, and this season is also seeing the introduction a new rubber track system known as the Tucker Rubber Bar, or simply TRB. Available in 28-inch and 38-inch versions, the new TRB is designed to provide users with a wider track that allows them to lower their ground pressure. According to Meilicke, Tucker has been testing the track system since 2012 but this is the first year it is available for all of the company’s production machines.

“We’re starting to notice that most of our customers who have had the oldstyle steel tracks or aluminum tracks

SNOW GROOMING | Issue 7 | snowgroomingmag.com

with grousers are moving towards these Tucker Rubber Bar tracks because it gives them more versatility with the machine because the machine is able to run on different types of terrain,” Meilicke says.

Another product Tucker officials are excited about is a new hydraulic lift gate. It’s the first time Tucker has offered a lift gate on any of its machines and it’s currently available only on the company’s 1642 SnoCat model. It could eventually be offered on other models if demand warrants it.

Meilicke says the company decided to look into the idea of adding a lift gate following a request from a utility company that was concerned about the safety of its employees who had to use a forklift or lift heavy equipment manually.

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snowgroomingmag.com 140808-Lift_Tec.indd 1

| Issue 7 | SNOW GROOMING 8/8/14

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11:01 AM

Because Fendt tractors perform so well in the snow, a growing number of snowmobile clubs are using them to groom trails.

From Farmers’ Fields The Fendt tractor has a W first-rate reputation as one of the best machines in the agricultural industry. Now it’s making a name for itself in snow grooming circles.

By Mark Halsall

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SNOW GROOMING | Issue 7 | snowgroomingmag.com

hen Tony Vande Yacht first started taking a Fendt tractor on the road to show snowmobile clubs what the machine could do, he admits some people were slow to warm to the idea of it being used to groom snow.

“It was tough going into it because there were so many people who thought tractors belonged in farm fields, not on trail systems,” says Vande Yacht, who sells Fendt tractors for Vanderloop Equipment in Brillion, Wisconsin.

That was 10 years ago. But in the last five years, Vande Yacht’s hard work and on-site demonstrations in central and northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan have really started to pay off, as more people have come to understand and appreciate the true value of owning a Fendt.

to Snowmobile Trails When Vande Yacht starts talking to potential customers about the tractor’s sales points, such as its impressive fuel savings and Fendt’s stellar warranty and service package, “they realize they need to start paying attention,” he says.

Vande Yacht began demonstrating the Fendt for snowmobile clubs about 10 years ago, when he’d pack a bag and have a tractor hauled up to a central location in northern Wisconsin. “Then I would just go in one direction and visit as many clubs as I could in a day and a night,” he says.

Vande Yacht would hook the Fendt up to a club’s drag and then take it out on the trails, so that snowmobilers could see with their own eyes how the tractor performs on snow.

“There’s nothing better than going on their own trail system and showing them what I can do with my tractor,” he says.

A big reason why the Fendt performs so well in the snow lies in its tires. According to Vande Yacht, the tractor is equipped with a big, wide Michelin tires that already have a large footprint; that impression can be made even larger for snow grooming by reducing the tire pressure down to little as six pounds per square inch.

The result is a huge tire footprint that creates great flotation on the snow. When it comes trail grooming, Vande Yacht says, the Fendt tractor can “pretty much go anywhere” the big tracked snow groomers can go.

The tractor can also be fitted with track systems. Vande Yacht knows of a couple of Fendt’s equipped with Soucy tracks in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and he notes the tractor is compatible with most track systems put out by the major manufacturers.

“ There’s nothing better than going on their own trail system and showing them what I can do with my tractor.”

– Tony Vande Yacht In most instances, however, the tractor can handle most trail grooming tasks just fine using its big tires, says Vande Yacht − an important consideration that saves customers money.

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“ This is a tractor that’s made to run under low RPMs. You don’t have to have it running at high RPMs and burning a lot of fuel.”

– Tony Vande Yacht

Fendt tractors are extremely well regarded in agricultural industry, which contributes to their high resale value.

Fendt tractors are compatible with most of the track systems put out by major manufacturers.

Vande Yacht is hitting the road again this winter to extoll the virtues of the Fendt tractor to snowmobile clubs. He’s also considering pitching the Fendt to other potential users, like cross-country and alpine ski operations.

High Resale Value Fendt tractors are made by AGCO, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery. The tractors are very well regarded in the farming industry; of the three Fendt series, the 700 models are ones best suited for trail grooming, Vande Yacht says.

A major plus for snowmobile clubs is the tractor’s excellent high resale value, the result of not just superior workmanship and reliability but also strong demand from farmers. “We can easily turn these around and sell them to the dairy industry or the grain farm industry,” says Vande Yacht.

Fendt tractor purchasers also benefit from a superior warranty and service program. “Fendt has a full warranty and maintenance for 3,000 hours or three years, whatever comes first,”

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SNOW GROOMING | Issue 7 | snowgroomingmag.com

says Vande Yacht. “If their tractor goes down for any reason for any length of time, we would get them another one to use at no cost to them.”

Lower fuel consumption is another way Vande Yacht’s customers save money. A Fendt tractor pulling a 9.5 foot drag consumes as little as 2.5 gallons of fuel an hour, he says.

“This is a tractor that’s made to run under low RPMs. You don’t have to have it running at high RPMs and burning a lot of fuel.”

Fendt is renowned for successfully introducing continuously variable transmission technology to tractors.

Tractors in the company’s 700 series feature a Stepless Vario Transmission, another way efficiency is enhanced.

‘In our transmissions, we have no clutch back. It’s oil moving from one orbital pump to another,” says Vande Yacht. The result, he adds, is that the transmission requires about only five per cent of the engine’s

horsepower, compared to 15 to 20 per cent for other tractors. “That’s a huge efficiency right there,” he says. rich black Fendt’s also leads the industry with innovations in such areas as cab and front axle suspension systems and advanced operator controls. An example of the latter is the Fendt Tractor Management System, which provides more precise and flexible control of hydraulics as well as engine RPMs. black “With Tractor Management System, you don’t have to set the RPMs − they will automatically adjust to your speed,” says Vande Yacht. “Say the RPMs are turned all the way down and you’re coming to a hill; the tractor will auto-

matically adjust the RPMs to where it’s needed to get you to the top of that hill.”

According to Vande Yacht, the Fendt comes with many standard features that are optional on other tractors. One of these is a camera system with infrared capability and a nine-inch monitor, which permits a driver to keep an eye on a drag being pulled behind the tractor without having to turn around.

Vande Yacht says the tractor also features a three-point hitch system that enhances stability on the snow.

A machine going uphill and pulling a lot of snow in the drag will have a tendency to spin out, but the Fendt’s three-point hitch will lift a few inches automatically in the event of wheel slippage, keeping the tractor moving up the hill. ❃

MORE ONLINE!

To see the Fendt in action, check out the video on snowgroomingmag.com/fendtvideo

The advanced operator controls in the Fendt tractor cab include a camera system with infrared capability and a nine-inch monitor.

FIVE BLADES. ONE SMOOTH TRAIL. DOUG OLSON PHONE: 715.617.6948 EMAIL: doug @ sbgroomers.com

SBGROOMERS.COM

SBGROOMERS.COM PHONE: 715.617.6948 EMAIL: doug @ sbgroomers.com

7480 Hwy 70 East, St. Germain, WI 54558

snowgroomingmag.com | Issue 7 | SNOW GROOMING

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While the poles may have elicited some odd looks at first, more and more resorts are now snapping them up.

Bamboo Poles Staking a Claim in the Snow Bamboo poles are becoming an increasingly popular choice when it comes to marking ski trails.

The owner of a New Hampshire-based supply company explains why.

By Jim Timlick

M

ention the word bamboo and it’s likely to conjure the image of a rainy, tropical forest in the minds of most people. One of the last places you might expect to find it would be on a snowy ski hill somewhere in North America in the middle of winter.

Well, turns out that idea is not as farfetched as you might think. In fact, one company is hoping to make bamboo as

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SNOW GROOMING | Issue 7 | snowgroomingmag.com

popular at U.S. and Canadian resorts as ski lifts and tinted visors.

Based in New Hampton, New Hampshire, Ski Mountain Supply has been selling bamboo poles to resort operators across the continent since the early 1990s for everything from marking trails to warning skiers about danger zones. While the poles may have elicited some odd looks at first, more and more resorts are now snapping them up.

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That hardly comes as a surprise to André Coleman, Ski Mountain Supply’s president and owner.

Coleman says the biggest advantage his bamboo poles have over the wooden stakes that have traditionally been used to mark trails is durability.

While wooden stakes can easily snap, bamboo poles are far more flexible and can last as long as three winters.

“If someone hits it, it’s going to be much more flexible than a wood stake,” Coleman says.

Another advantage bamboo poles have over traditional wooden stakes is visibility. The poles are coated with reinforced, fibreglass tape that makes them stand out in even poor weather conditions. They are available in a variety of colours including red, orange and blue, as well as an orange-black pattern.

“The tape is the thing people see. You can use it where ever you want,” and it will still be seen, Coleman says.

Ski Mountain Supply’s president says one of the reasons why an increasing

“ If someone hits it, it’s going to be much more flexible than a wood stake.”

– André Coleman

number of ski hills are using the bamboo poles is they savings they can help produce in terms of liability and insurance costs. Because they are more visible, skiers are less likely to accidentally venture off a trail. And since they are more flexible, a skier is far less likely to injure themselves if they happen run into one. “(You) can use wood stakes or whatever (you) want but at the end of the day the insurance companies like (the bamboo),” Coleman says. “The liability (cost) is huge in the ski industry.”

Cost Savings Bamboo markers are also considerably cheaper than wooden stakes, according to Coleman. A single bamboo pole can cost as much as 50 cents less than a wood stake. Multiply that by the 50,000 poles some of Colman’s clients order and it can add up to a substantial savings.

“You try buying an eight-foot stake compared to my bamboo poles and there’s no comparison,” he says. “At the end of the day it does add up.”

Coleman imports the poles from a manufacturer in Hong Kong which allows him to keep the price low. He acknowledges it took several years and considerable tinkering to come up with the right combination of strength, visibility and pricing for the poles.

“Yeah, we have it (exactly) where we want it. It’s perfect right now,” Coleman says.

Demand for the bamboo poles has been steadily increasing over the past several years, according to Coleman,

Square Mesh Fence will give plenty of color to an area while offering the traditional wind permeability of plastic fencing.

and several new markets outside of North America have shown an interest in the product.

About 90 per cent of Ski Mountain Supply’s business comes from the ski industry while the remaining 10 per cent is generated by parks and recreation facilities such as swimming pools and mountain bike parks. Although the bulk of the company’s business is done

in North America, it has clients as far away as Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the Netherlands.

Ski Mountain Supply manufactures any signage a user might need as well as a variety of different types of fencing including warning, snow and wind, and square or diamond mesh fences.

The company also produces several types of netting and boasts it can produce any kind of length of netting a customer might require. As well, the company also offers several personal safety products including an Exofit fall restraint system for workers as well as chair lift seats and padding. ❃

Diamond Mesh is heavy, rigid, long lasting and is highly recommended by areas for permanent applications.

Warning Barrier Fence is chosen for its flexibility, making it easy to install, roll and store.

Your source for NEW and USED Drags, Groomers, Parts and Service

www.mountaingrooming.com Mountain Grooming Equipment P.O. Box 324 Waitsfield, VT 05673

Call Today! 1-802-496-3836 14

SNOW GROOMING | Issue 7 | snowgroomingmag.com

Snow and Wind Fence is for those areas that can’t seem to keep snow on the trail.

SNOWMOBILE TRAILS ∙ SKI TRAILS ∙ SKI HILLS Hand Crafted by hard working Americans in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Effective and affordable track conversion systems which simply bolt-on to almost any 4x4 vehicle. Durable and reliable with very low maintenance costs. Wear items consist of common snowmobile parts for economical replacement. See website for more details!

www.AmericanTrackTruck.com American Track Truck Inc. P.O. Box 260, Chassell, MI 49916

800-900-0995/906-353-6330

snowgroomingmag.com | Issue 7 | SNOW GROOMING

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All-Track Expecting Big Things from AT-20

“Being only five feet wide and having a narrow form you can get into a lot of small, little trails and stuff that the larger groomers can’t get into.”

– Tyler Van Megen

All-Track Inc. has begun development of a new compact tracked machine that could become an indispensable snow grooming tool for smaller scale operations.

By Jim Timlick

I

f you want proof that big things come in small packages you needn’t look any further than All Track Inc.’s AT-20HD. The compact tracked vehicle measures just five feet wide, can turn on a dime − it’s actually capable of a zero turn radius − and can fit in tight spots that other tracked and wheeled all-terrain vehicles can’t. Not only that, it’s built to the same heavy-duty standards as all of the company’s other tracked vehicles.

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The AT-20 was originally rolled out four years ago and has since become an indispensable tool for utility companies and the seismic and oil exploration industry. Now, All-Track is poised to introduce a new version of the vehicle that it believes could become a staple of the snow grooming industry.

All-Track recently began development of a retooled version of the AT-20 for snow park operators who require a tracked vehicle larger and more power-

SNOW GROOMING | Issue 7 | snowgroomingmag.com

ful than a hobby machine but smaller and less costly than a full-sized groomer.

Co-owner and sales manager Tyler Van Megen says the Calgary-based company’s core business has traditionally been large, heavy-duty all-terrain vehicles but it has been looking to enter the snow grooming market for some time. In fact, it wasn’t long after the AT-20 was introduced that several snowmobile clubs began enquiring about adapting the machine to suit their grooming needs.

All-Track is already studying a test model it delivered to a local snowmobile club and plans to introduce another five or six test models sometime this season. Larger scale production of the new model could begin as soon as next spring, according to Van Megen.

“We had the original intention (of it being) for the utility market so we’ve been perfecting that and marketing it towards that market,” he says. “Now that we’re comfortable with where we’re at as far as the machine and

(the way it) functions and its performance with the utility market, we’re ready to push through other markets with it.”

The new model won’t be radically different from its predecessor, Van Megen says.

It will have the same 65-horsepower Caterpillar diesel engine and full hydrostatic drive and will still be able to haul the same heavy loads. One change the company is looking at making is the introduction of a wider track designed primarily for over snow use and snowmobile trail grooming.

Since its introduction four years ago, All-Track’s AT-20 has become a popular tool in the utility and oil exploration industries.

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More Manoeuvrability

Calgary, Alta.-based All-Track Inc. is developing a new compact tracked machine for snow grooming uses.

One of the advantages the AT-20 may have over full-sized grooming machines is more manoeuvrability. It can traverse even the most treacherous terrain and can easily navigate even the tightest spaces, Van Megen notes.

“Being only five feet wide and having a narrow form you can get into a lot of small, little trails and stuff that the larger groomers can’t get into, places where they might only be using a sled groomer right now,” he says.

Van Megen says the biggest difference between the AT-20 and other smaller scale grooming machines is durability. Because it’s built to the same standards as full-sized groomers, it’s less likely to break down than a typical sled, he adds.

“A lot of other machines its size are hobby-type machines and don’t necessarily use high-end components. Our machine is full-scale as far as component selection,” Van Megen says.

“There will be way less maintenance than what you would see with (smaller)

“ Right now we pretty much build everything in the vehicles from the ground up. We’re pretty much self-sufficient.”

– Tyler Van Megen machines. It will be very similar to a fullscale groomer in that respect. You maintain it, do a spring service on it and then just change your filters and oil.”

According to Van Megen, the AT-20 also offers more power and capability.

The new model will be capable of hauling loads of as much as 2,500 pounds, exactly the same as the current model.

“It has a really high torque drive so as far as towing drags and stuff it will be far superior to a sled-based platform.

You’ll have more power to tow larger drags,” Van Megen says.

All-Track will likely begin selling the new AT-20 factory direct, as it does with all of its other vehicles, but will look at the possibility of using dealers if there is

sufficient demand. Although it will be at least several months before the new machine will be available, Van Megen says the company has high hopes for it.

“Of course we hope there’s lots of interest,” he says. “We hope that it fits in a niche between a full-sized groomer where clubs are spending $200,000 and the clubs that are spending $30,000 on a side-by-side and puts $10,000 tracks on.”

Family-owned Business All-Track is a family-owned company and was established by Van Megen’s grandfather in 1968. It currently produces five different models of track vehicles (AT-50GP, AT-150HD, AT-

80HD, AT-50HD, and the AT-20), which are used mostly by companies in the utility and heavy industry fields.

The company does all of its designs and fabrication in-house and has enjoyed steady growth during the past 10 years. According to Van Megen, All-Track’s products are in use everywhere from the Canadian Arctic to South America and Antarctica.

“Right now we pretty much build everything in the vehicles from the ground up. We’re pretty much self-sufficient,” he says.

While the AT-20 will be All-Track’s first attempt at marketing its own snow grooming machine, it already has a presence in the marketplace. It has been manufacturing aftermarket parts for larger grooming machines for several years now. ❃

MORE ONLINE!

For more information on the specifications on the AT-20, visit snowgroomingmag.com/AT20

Model AT-20HD

All-Track is a OEM manufacturer of off-road tracked all-terrain vehicles for the trail grooming, and utility industries.

We are also an aftermarket manufacturer of common snow cat parts including:

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Pictured from left to right: Andy Gehman (of MGS Inc.) Fred Urban, Carl Maxey and Loren Maxey (all from Maxey Companies Inc.)

Joining Forces Maxey Companies Inc., the Colorado-based manufacturer of the Generation II MWE Snowmobile Trail Groomer, has been purchased by MGS Inc., another transportation equipment maker.

By Mark Halsall

I

n the business world, it’s not unusual for two successful firms to join forces to forge an even stronger, more prosperous company.

That’s the rationale behind the recent acquisition of Maxey, one of the bestregarded names in the snow grooming business, by MGS Inc. The transportation equipment manufacturer headquartered in Denver, Pa., announced in October it had purchased Colorado-based Maxey Companies Inc. While the company was renowned for producing high-quality snowcat trailers and snowmobile trail-grooming equipment, Maxey’s core business, like that of MGS, was producing specialty trailers for the public utility industry and other industrial users.

“In the trailer business, (which is) our primary business, consolidation is inev-

20

itable. It’s already happened in the snow grooming business. There are fewer over snow vehicle manufacturers than there were when I was a young man,” says Carl Maxey, general manager of the company founded in Fort Collins, Colorado, by his father, Loren, back in 1969.

“The strongest and healthiest (companies) survive, especially in industries that are very capital intensive.”

One spinoff of the acquisition, says Maxey, will be a much greater combined production capacity, with three manufacturing plants in Colorado, Pennsylvania and Georgia. “We’re going to get very focused on our manufacturing capabilities for the next decade,” says Maxey. “This is something we’re very, very excited about.”

Both companies in the deal stress that the timing was right for everyone concerned. In a press release announcing

SNOW GROOMING | Issue 7 | snowgroomingmag.com

“ Andy and I have been very good friends for a long time as our businesses have grown and we’ve prospered together. This wasn’t something either one of us had to do; we wanted to do this.”

– Carl Maxey

snowgroomingmag.com | Issue 7 | SNOW GROOMING

21

The MGS Inc. manufacturing plant in Denver, Pennsylvania.

The combination of MGS’s and Maxey’s facilities will result in a much greater production capacity.

Maxey’s highly regarded Generation II MWE Snowmobile Trail Groomers will continue to be produced.

the acquisition, MGS President Andy Gehman described it an important move in the company’s long-term growth plans: “After working with Maxey Co. for years, we know we have found our perfect match for manufacturing and trailer sales on the western side of the country.”

Maxey says both companies shared a lot of mutual customers in the utility industry, and that Maxey’s footprint in the western United States will enable MGS to continue on their planned growth.

Generation II Groomer Maxey’s snow grooming staple, the Generation II MWE Snowmobile Trail Groomer, will continue to be produced.

This innovative drag maximizes flexibility, with multiple widths and blade configurations that can be customtailored to fit customer needs and the pulling power they have on hand.

According to Maxey, snow groomer customers stand to benefit from the acquisition, particularly those in the New England states. Starting next season, the Generation II groomers will be built at the MGS manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania, slashing the cost of distributing the equipment in the northeastern U.S and helping to build a larger customer base there.

“Freight is an issue in what we do.

Manufacturing closer to the customer eliminates a lot of shipping,” says Maxey, adding the result will be a lower price tag for New England customers.

“The delivered price will be much more competitive,” he says.

In addition to making drags, Maxey Companies Inc. built trailers for transporting over snow vehicles and was involved in joint ventures with some snowcat manufacturers. Maxey sees this relationship with the industry flourishing even further with the recent acquisition.

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Snow groomer customers in the northeastern United States stand to benefit from the deal because of lower freight costs.

“The snow grooming business has brought us so many more opportunities (and) we already have a very close relationship with the over snow vehicle manufacturers,” he says. “We will look to expand and grow that relationship with them… There’s a whole realm of possibilities.”

It’s also expected the deal will have a positive impact on manufacturing costs.

By combining MGS’s and Maxey’s facilities, equipment and resources and by boosting investment in the manufacturing plants, it’s expected the company’s snow groomers and other transportation equipment will be able to be built more efficiently and as a result, less expensively.

“It will happen through the investment in equipment and machinery, and we’ll be able to spread it over a wide

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SNOW GROOMING | Issue 7 | snowgroomingmag.com

variety of product lines, trailer manufacturing, body manufacturing, the contract manufacturing that we do, as well as in the snow grooming field,” says Maxey. “The manufacturing efficiencies will spread across the entire company.”

Maxey says this way, manufacturing costs can be lowered without sacrificing product quality and the company’s high engineering standards. This will

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ultimately benefit the snow groomer side of the business, which Maxey describes as extremely competitive and very price sensitive.

Continued Focus on Quality Maxey says MGS took a big step in 2013 to ensure the highest standards of quality continue to be met in its manufacturing facilities.

“MGS just completed last year their ISO 9001 certification, and we will be working on that here in Fort Collins plant in 2015,” Maxey says, noting that the ISO 9001 certification ensures

“there is quality system in place in your plant that’s internationally recognized.

“If you look at the markets that MGS and Maxey currently serve, we have worked on those demanding customers that expect that level of quality from their suppliers,” says Maxey. “This is going to be at the forefront of what we do in trailer, truck body and groomer manufacturing.”

With the acquisition, Maxey says his new role will be company vice-president and general manager of western operations for MGS. The plan is for Maxey to reduce his snow groomer responsibilities as he recruits and

07459-03/2014 sons.

“ We’re going to get very focused on our manufacturing capabilities for the next decade. This is something we’re very, very excited about.”

– Carl Maxey

trains sales executives on that side of the businesses to help it grow. “I’ll still keep my finger on the pulse of these long-term relationships we’ve had with people in the snow industry,” he says.

Maxey says he and Andy Gehman share the philosophy that it’s important to deal with people you “know, like and trust.”

With that in mind, this business arrangement appears to be off to a solid start — both men served on their national trade association as back-to-back presidents of the organization, forging a strong friendship in the process.

“Andy and I have been very good friends for a long time as our businesses have grown and we’ve prospered together,” Maxey says. “This wasn’t something either one of us had to do; we wanted to do this.” ❃

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SNOW GROOMING | Issue 7 | snowgroomingmag.com

School Helping Make Snow Dreams Come True

I

t sounds like a young skier or snowboard enthusiast’s dream − a college course that teaches you everything from snowmaking and grooming trails to building a lift and creating a world-class half-pipe.

For a select group of students at a Colorado college, it’s more than just a dream; it’s a reality. About two dozen students enrol each year in the Ski Area Operations program offered at Colorado Mountain College’s Timberline Campus in Leadville, Colorado.

The two-year degree program is designed to prepare students for a career in the mountain resort industry and combines technical and academic instruction with on-the-job training at some of Colorado’s finest world-class resorts.

“There are other colleges that are using the word ski as a hook but it’s more of a business degree (they’re offering) with a couple of resort management classes thrown in there,” says Jason Gusaas, a ski area operations instructor at CMC’s campus in Leadville.

First offered as a one-year certificate program beginning in 1973, it was originally designed to support local ski areas. It has since morphed into two-year program that now provides grads with an Associate of Applied Sciences degree in Ski Area Operations.

Colorado is one of only two U.S. colleges − Gogebic Community College in Ironwood, Michigan is the other − to offer a full-time ski area operations program.

Gusaas notes the program attracts students from across the country,

Colorado Mountain College is playing a key role in the development of the next generation of ski area groomers, snowmakers and mechanics thanks to its Ski Area Operations program.

By Jim Timlick

A pair of students from Colorado Mountain College’s Ski Area Operations program get some hands-on experience in operating snow grooming equipment.

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although the majority of them are from Colorado, the Midwest, the East Coast and even a few from the West Coast. It also receives a small number of international students each year.

“Generally we get traditional freshmen who are aged 18 to 21 with very little industry experience but they know they want to work in the outdoors and they

“ We’re very hands-on and try to have a lab with pretty much every lecture that we offer,” – Jason Gusaas know they love to ski and snowboard but don’t necessarily have a specific (career) path in mind yet,” Gusaas says.

All students are required to earn a minimum of 60 credits in order to earn their associate degree. A total of 12 of those 60 credits must come from a list of electives that include slopes and trails, patrolling, ropeway operations and maintenance, and ski resort management.

Gusaas says the program is designed specifically to give students both flexibility and options. Unlike some courses that assign internships, CMC’s Ski Area Oper-

ations program has a co-operative work experience section in which students can choose the job of their choice at whatever mountain they like. They earn seven credits towards their degree during the internship while collecting a paycheque.

“Some (students) will come to us and say yes, I want to be a groomer or yes, I want to be a snowmaker or patrol right off the bat, but for many of them (it’s not until) they’ve gone through two years of the program that they decide… I really liked that events management course and I want to do that,” Gusaas says.

In addition to required classes such as math, English and introduction to business, CMC’s course covers a long list of ski-specific subjects including heavy equipment operations, first response and emergency care, trail grooming operations, snowmaking, ski patrols and avalanche awareness.

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Hands-on Experience Part of what makes the course unique is that all classes offer both classroom instruction as well as hands-on experience as part of a lab.

“We’re very hands-on and try to have a lab with pretty much every lecture that we offer,” says Gusaas. “In the fall we run a heavy equipment lab and we’re running a bulldozer and a backhoe.

We’re out there doing projects, digging trenches, contouring slopes, building water bars and things of that nature.”

CMC students don’t usually have to travel very far to get that hands-on experience. The college has a total of nearly 300 acres of land including its own terrain park, located behind CMC’s residence hall, which is used mostly by the school’s student population. Students also help with grooming and snowmaking at a local ski hill and provide their services to the operators of a tubing lane park located in the local county.

Students also get to take part in field trips to some of the top ski facilities in the U.S. including Vail Ski Resort and Ski Cooper, both of which are located just a short distance from the CMC campus.

Gusaas notes the program has developed strong ties with industry partners like Vail and Cooper and that’s been a big factor in its ability to attract students year after year.

Colorado Mountain College students receive some hands-on experience using heavyduty equipment as part of the school’s Ski Area Operations program.

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There is no lack of demand for their services. Gusaas estimates that 95 per cent of the program’s graduates find work shortly after graduation.

“There is great value (in having) our industry partners,” he says.

Enrolment in the program typically fluctuates between 20 and 30 students each year. Gusaas says the number of new students often depends on the previous snow year. A good snow year can result in a rise in enrolments while a poor winter can result in a drop, he says.

Gusaas joined the Colorado teaching staff in 2008 after working at a number of different jobs in the ski industry during the previous two and a

half decades, including digging roads, grooming snow and a stint as the foreman of a crew that built freestyle terrain. He got his start at the Huff Hills Ski Area in North Dakota in the early 1990s. A short time later, the former biology major was convinced by a friend to study ski area management at Gogebic Community College. He was quickly smitten and never looked back.

Gusass hopes it’s a similar story for his students. Most graduates of the program go on to careers in snowmaking, groom-

ing and ski patrol while others pursue careers in ski lift and snowcat mechanics.

There is no lack of demand for their services. Gusaas estimates that 95 per cent of the program’s graduates find work shortly after graduation. “(The program) takes that learning curve away ( from terrain parks) and it’s that much less training they have to do and they know that they’re getting a quality employee that’s vested and has a strong interest (in the industry) and is probably going to stick around for a while,” he says. ❃

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Snowmaking is just one of a number of different subjects that Colorado Mountain College students get to learn about first-hand in the school’s Ski Area Operations program.

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34

Just like Bretton Woods, ski areas can count on PRINOTH’s snow groomers for quality results during slope preparation and terrain parks building all over North America. Your customers clearly said it... they want the best, they want the PRINOTH finish! www.prinoth.com SNOW GROOMING | Issue 7 | snowgroomingmag.com

“ What we’re tying to create is a one-stop shop, so whether you’re riding your favourite local trails or you’re going on a trip to a new area you’ve never been, we’ll provide features like trail information, services, and weather information for you.”

– Jordan Niquette

Ensuring Accuracy The RiderX Snow Trails App from Polaris is designed to help snowmobilers stay on the top of the latest trail information.

By Mark Halsall

W

hen you’re a snowmobiler heading out into unfamiliar territory, you definitely want your map to be as up to date and accurate as possible.

That’s what RiderX aims to deliver. The online tool was created by Polaris to provide precise trail maps for outdoor recreation enthusiasts, including snowmobile clubs and riders. The RiderX Snow Trails app allows snowmobilers to access all the latest trail information, such as reroutes and closures, which is difficult to maintain with paper maps alone.

“This is a web-based application as well as mobile phone app,” says Jordan Niquette, business relationship co-ordinator for RiderX. “By

having the map on your phone or on a computer, you’re able to have accurate, up-to-date trail information. If you’re using a paper map, you’re kind of stuck with it for the season.”

“We haven’t seen anything else out there with a specific focus on snowmobilers. There are other GPS-based apps but they tend to focus on cars, so this is the only snowmobile focused app,” Niquette, says. “It’s real-time information and trail accuracy, it’s not a static map. That’s the real value to customers,” he says.

The reason why RiderX is so current is that the information is provided not just by state and federal agencies, but also −and most importantly − by trail users.

The RiderX Snow Trails app enables snowmobilers to access all the latest trail information online, without having to rely solely on paper maps.

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“We get most of the information from the snowmobile clubs, and we have an vetting process to make sure that the proper people have the rights to modify the trail information,” says Niquette. Those registered with the RiderX Trail Manager Program can track and upload new trail locations, updates on trail openings and closures, and trail reroute information.

RiderX users can access this information on their computers or smartphones when planning their trip and use the Snow Trails app to map out their route. Planned rides can be saved to the cloud and then accessed later on multiple devices, Niquette says. Once out on the trail, snowmobilers can use the GPS on their phones to track their actual route against the planned ride.

RiderX also has weather aspect.

Radar weather reports are linked to the maps, Niquette says, enabling riders to check ahead for hazardous conditions.

The Snow Trails app also displays snow depth information, which is an important consideration for snowmobilers who like to go off the trail.

Another added feature is the ability to locate nearby gas stations, restaurants, lodgings or even a Polaris dealer. “When there are services available to the rider who is out in the middle of the trail, they’re able to access those as well. We are able to tell customers what hotels are snowmobile friendly, what gas stations can fit a large 30-foot trailer, that type of information,” Niquette says.

says Niquette. “This way, if you ever want to go back there again or share [the location] with friends, you have the coordinate of where that photo actually took place.”

In a similar vein, RiderX gives snowmobile clubs, agencies and organizations an additional tool for promoting their trails. Trail managers can upload waypoints on their respective trails, including descriptions and photographs of trailheads, scenic spots and hazards.

In addition, they can also rank trials by scenery and difficulty levels, and also indicate temporary and seasonal trail closures. The result is a virtual “travelogue” that can assist marketing efforts.

Niquette maintains the social media aspect of RiderX could assist snow groomer operators by, for example, help-

“ It’s real-time information and trail accuracy, it’s not a static map. That’s the real value to customers.”

– Jordan Niquette ing alert them if a tree is down on a trail or when riders report that certain sections are in serious need of grooming.

Conversely, RiderX could help snow grooming operators help get the message out about which trails have been freshly groomed, which in turn benefits riders. “If the groomer wants to be tech savvy and provide the most current information to trail users, this will allow him to do that,” says Niquette.

Radar reports enable RiderX users to check ahead for hazardous weather.

RiderX users can map out their rides in advance, and then save their planned routes which can be accessed later on multiple devices.

Because it’s a technology product, the makers of RiderX aren’t content to stand still. “We’re continually evolving it and adding more features to the website and the app,” says Niquette, adding the app was re-platformed only recently to make it more map-centric.

Another development in the works is in the area of vehicle integration.

Niquette says RiderX is unveiling a new linked device that works by plugging into the snowmobile and relaying information − such as RPMs, oil temperature, gear selection and even diagnostic engine codes − from that vehicle right into a user’s mobile device.

According to Niquette, the reaction to RiderX has been nothing short of amazing. “Our snowmobile customers love

The RiderX Snow Trails app is designed to be a one-stop shop for accessing trail information, service locations and weather reports.

“What we’re trying to create is a onestop shop, so whether you’re riding your favourite local trail or you’re going on a trip to a new area you’ve never been, we’ll provide features like trail information, service locations, and weather information for you.”

There’s also a social media facet to the app that allows snowmobilers to connect with other RiderX riders online. “Say you’re out on your ride and you find a really nice view or a scenic shot, you can take a picture with your phone and it will geotag that photo,”

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SNOW GROOMING | Issue 7 | snowgroomingmag.com

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it. We attend all the major events, and (people tell us) they love the features. They’re even more excited to find out that the application is free,” he says. “There are no fees to use the trail maps, the GPS features, or any of that.”

Which begs the question: why has Polaris gone to the trouble of creating a free app for snowmobilers?

“We’re all riders here and we’re always looking to promote the sport of riding. We knew it would be a valuable asset to riders to know where they can go ride, help them plan their rides, and potentially find new areas to ride,” Niquette says.

“Every snowmobiler we’ve talked to has been interested in this type of information. We see this as being a very promising opportunity, since potentially every rider is a potential downloader of the app.” ❃

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SNOW GROOMING | Issue 7 | snowgroomingmag.com

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A Different Path Ross Longhini is an engineer and an accomplished executive in the medical device field – who also happens to love grooming cross-country ski trails.

By Mark Halsall

M

any wouldn’t consider Ross Longhini your typical crosscountry trail groomer.

Longhini trained to be engineer, and started out in business designing implements for medical device companies. He worked his way up in the field up to executive management positions and today Longhini works as a consultant dispensing advice to CEOs of medical device startup companies on everything from corporate strategy to human resources.

While Longhini has spent much of his life in corporate boardrooms, he’s also managed to find the time to indulge his passion for Nordic skiing as well as trail grooming, another pastime he enjoys tremendously.

“I love grooming,” he says. “There’s something about making a perfectly groomed trail and looking back and having the enjoyment of seeing that trail – and most importantly, having people enjoy the finished product.

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SNOW GROOMING | Issue 7 | snowgroomingmag.com

“Even throughout my career, working in the medical device industry and in the boardrooms of medical device companies, I’ve always been an avid outdoors person,” he says. “That comes in many different forms; I hunt, I fish, I run traplines, I do ski racing, I’ve run in more than 30 marathons over a 15-year span.”

Snow grooming, says Longhini, is another conduit to the outdoors that helps inject a measure of tranquility into his busy life.

“There’s something about the serenity of grooming on the trails. For one, you’re typically grooming when it’s dark,” he says. “You’re out there by yourself, you’re often miles away from the nearest light bulb, and there’s just something incredibly peaceful about that.”

For Longhini, grooming trails provides an opportunity to recharge and focus on a single purpose, with the end result providing an altruistic benefit that in itself, is immensely satisfying.

“You’re not just doing it for yourself,” he

“ There’s something about the serenity of grooming on the trails. For one, you’re typically grooming when it’s dark. You’re out there by yourself, you’re often miles away from the nearest light bulb, and there’s just something incredibly peaceful about that.”

– Ross Longhini

explains. “When I run down the road I don’t leave anything behind. When I groom, I leave something behind for somebody else.”

snowgroomingmag.com | Issue 7 | SNOW GROOMING

43

“ I’m an engineer by training, so this idea of continuing to learn about how to make snow behave the way you want it to is just a really interesting journey.

For me, it’s a fascinating puzzle.”

– Ross Longhini

Ross Longhini shares a passion for Nordic skiing with his wife Vicki. They also enjoy skijoring with their dog, Buck.

A strong supporter of the Sandpoint Nordic Club, Ross Longhini helped build this cross-country trail system that goes right through town.

A Way to Enjoy Winter Again Longhini’s first taste of Nordic skiing was while attending high school in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Longhini admits he didn’t do much of it after he became busy with his work, but says he re-embraced the sport about 10 years ago.

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After spending many winters in the Minnesota’s twin cities, he says, “snow had become kind of a burden.”

Longhini took to Nordic skiing, taking advantage of the many ski trails within the Minneapolis city limits, as a way to get outside and “to enjoy winter again.”

Three years ago, Longhini moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, with his wife Vicki, who shares his passion for fitness and

SNOW GROOMING | Issue 7 | snowgroomingmag.com

love of Nordic skiing. It wasn’t long before the couple was heavily involved in the local cross-country ski community.

Longhini says while there were some diehard Nordic skiers when they arrived in town, there weren’t many people involved in the sport. The couple had brought a snowmobile and a trailgrooming drag from their family farm in Wisconsin with them to Sandpoint,

so they decided to use the equipment to help kick start Nordic skiing in the community by helping carve out three miles of cross-country trails. “(There was) a nice flat piece of land literally right in town, and so a couple of other guys from the Sandpoint Nordic Club and I went out there and laid out a trail system and started grooming,” Longhini says. “It went from a couple of people using it, to all of a sudden there were some weekends when a couple of hundred of people were using it.”

Longhini and his wife both coach and they work hard to help grow the youth program at the local Nordic club, “We enjoy introducing people to a lifelong sport like Nordic skiing,” Longhini says, adding that their goal is to help the club train a cadre of Nordic skiers and ultimately build a team to represent Sandpoint in competition.

To that end, the club managed to get members of the U.S. national ski team to appear via video at recent recruiting parties.

“The fact that we could even get Olympians to call into the little town of Sandpoint and do a video conference call with a bunch of kids is a pretty cool testament to the amount of energy that we’re developing here,” Longhini says. There’s further proof in the numbers: membership in Sandhill Nordic Club youth program has grown from eight two years ago, to more than 40 expected to participate this winter.

Somehow, between Longhini’s work, his community commitments and his athletic endeavors (he remains an avid ski racer and this winter plans to compete in his fifth American Birkebeiner, North America’s largest cross-country ski marathon), there’s still time to groom snow.

On the trails, Longhini uses a Yahama Viking as his workhorse snowmobile to pull a Tidd Tech G2 six-foot groomer.

He fabricated another grooming implement that is similar to a compaction drag, and he has a Yellowstone Track Systems snow comb that attaches to the back of that. Longhini also uses a home-made classic track setter that’s often pulled behind the Tidd Tech groomer to form classic tracks on the edge of the skate lanes.

Longhini says this combination of equipment works really well. The compaction drag he built himself has a long

Ross Longhini’s snow grooming gear includes a compaction drag he built himself.

base that helps take off the high points and fill in the low points to create a nice, level trail. The groomer, he says, does a good job of renovating the snow and then, with the help of the snow comb, reforming the snow into the flat, wide corduroy deck that you want for skate skiing.

Like quite a few others who groom snow, Longhini considers it both an art and a science. “I’m an engineer by training, so this idea of continuing to learn about how to make snow behave the way you want it to is just a really interesting journey,” he says.

“For me, it’s a fascinating puzzle.” ❃

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Considering the Benefits behind Dealer Pricing

“ The vast majority of our customers that have their vehicles serviced by us understand the value of authorized dealers and service centers (and that) brings them back year after year.”

– Mike Desmarais

Even though prices may seem slightly higher, there’s a lot to consider when purchasing equipment from dealers.

By Jim Timlick

I

n today’s increasingly priceconscious world, customers are demanding more and more value for their hard-earned dollar.

Whether it’s a big ticket item like a new home or car, or a more modest purchase such as a tablet computer, consumers want to be sure they are getting the biggest bang for their buck.

It’s no different when it comes to the snow grooming industry, as most dealers and manufacturers will attest to. A customer spending six figures on a single piece of equipment wants to ensure they are making a sound investment and will get full value for their money, both now and in the future. “(Buyers) want more reliable equipment. They definitely want a bigger bang for their buck,” says Allan Graves, Western Canadian regional manager for Prinoth Ltd., adding that’s especially true when it comes to trail grooming equipment. “Those guys need reliable equipment. Sometimes those guys are by themselves all night long in (a) machine and it needs to be reliable.”

While the demand for value has notice-

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ably increased in the past four or five years, Graves suggests that customers looking to invest in a new or reconditioned piece of snow grooming equipment shouldn’t focus exclusively on price.

Although an independent equipment retailer or after-market broker may offer a slightly lower price than an authorized dealer, Graves maintains a buyer could still end up spending more money in the long run.

“We’ve had people (who think) they’re getting a better deal by buying a cheaper machine somewhere else but then they end up spending twice as much money fixing it up,” he says.

“I think some people have the misconception that I can buy it cheaper (elsewhere) but cheaper doesn’t always mean a better price or better value.

You’re not getting the same backing or support when you are buying a cheaper vehicle ( from an independent).”

Although some independents may promise substantial savings, it pays to consider all of your options when choosing the dealer who is right for you, says Mike Desmarais, owner

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of Newport, Vt.-based GETSNO, a licensed Tucker Sno-Cat dealer with customers in New England, New York, Minnesota, Ontario and Quebec.

Desmarais says one of the advantages in dealing with authorized dealers and distributors is that they have better access to original parts and knowledge gleaned from the original equipment manufacturer. Authorized dealers also know their products far better because they are dealing with them “day in and day out” and receive specialized training on a regular basis from the original equipment manufacturer, he says.

While some mom and pop shops may offer slightly lower repair rates than authorized dealers, Desmarais they can actually end up costing customers more. He says because authorized dealers such as GETSNO have all the required equipment and tools to do the job properly, they are more efficient than many smaller, third party shops and can get the job done quicker.

“Although they may have excellent mechanics that have a broad product

PistonBully being serviced in a state of the art facility.

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“ We want people to want that product and know that we’re here to support them and stand behind (the product) when they buy it.”

– Allan Graves

understanding, third party shops do not have (and) will never have the same product knowledge to properly service brand name groomers,” he says.

“The vast majority of our customers that have their vehicles serviced by us understand the value of authorized dealers and service centers (and that) brings them back year after year.”

Better After-Sales Service Prinoth’s Graves says another important advantage in developing a relationship with an authorized dealer is superior after-sales service. While authorized dealers and direct sellers such as Prinoth offer full support on everything they sell, many independents can’t.

“Once the machine is gone it’s a lot more difficult for them to go back to that independent guy and either get warranty coverage or support for that (machine) whereas we have our mechanics who are trained by Prinoth on our equipment,” Graves says. “If machines are bought used from here and they want them fully serviced they are serviced according to Prinoth’s guidelines. Everything is done by the book.”

According to Graves, an authorized dealer can also provide a customer with far more peace of mind if they are considering purchasing a used piece of equipment. He says an authorized dealer performs a thorough evaluation of every machine before it is made available for resale and the customer is made fully aware of any issues that might exist with it.

“They know that machine has been looked over and know what service

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Authorized dealers are able to offer better after-sales service by providing full support on the equipment they sell.

works needs to be done and it’s disclosed to the customer. (An independent) may fix some things but they may cut corners.

They may not fully repair the machine the way it needs to be repaired by a trained technician,” Graves says.

Dennis McGiboney, vice-president, sales, North America for Kassbohrer, manufacturer of the PistenBully line of snow grooming equipment, agrees that customers can rest easier buying machines from authorized dealers.

Top 10 Reasons to Consider a Dealer’s Price when Purchasing Equipment: Savings over long term Reliable equipment Warranty coverage Manufacturer support Known service history Superior after-sales service Trained service specialists Superior product knowledge Better access to parts On-site servicing

SNOW GROOMING | Issue 7 | snowgroomingmag.com

After-market brokers, he maintains, “are just turning the equipment, with no skin in the game. It’s just, how much money can I make turning this. If you go to an authorized dealership, or even an independent that has a repair facility, the machine will have had service work done to it and you know what you’re buying.”

Customers who follow a regular service schedule provided by authorized dealers also benefit from getting precisely the right type of servicing done on their equipment, when they need it, McGiboney says. He notes PistenBully’s authorized retailers also have the benefit of mobile, factory-trained service technicians who can travel onsite to dealerships.

McGiboney points out the value of manufacturer support for authorized dealers should not be overlooked when buying equipment. “We have updated technical information, we have all the warranty information on it, we have all the spare parts for it,” McGiboney says. He adds that PistenBully’s authorized dealers are also able to access critical software updates that are increasingly important when servicing today’s high-tech machines.

Desmarais notes one of the common misconceptions when it comes to choosing between an after-market parts retailer and a dealer is that the former offers far greater savings. The truth, he says, is that most dealers offer similar pricing in order to compete with after-market retailers in addition to providing superior product knowledge and servicing.

Lorene Hanson, president of Track Inc., a Bloomington, Minn.-based Tucker dealer, says servicing is a growing part of the industry for businesses such as hers, which caters primarily to the American Midwest. Hanson says that years ago club volunteers did most of the maintenance work on Tucker machines. That’s no longer the case, she says, as the machines have become far more complex as a result of advances in technology.

“Club volunteers (used to) do most of the maintenance work. The vehicles were easy to work on (then) and a higher percentage of club members had mechanical backgrounds,” Hanson says.

“Today’s vehicles are far more complex. Volunteers have less time…(and) fewer members have the skills to work on modern equipment. As a result, our summer service requests have gone up every one of the past five years.”

In addition to knowing more about a machine and having better access to parts because of their relationship with the manufacturer, Hanson says authorized dealers can also provide

Service bays at Track Inc.

refurbished trades for less than an independent because they receive a discount on the parts they use.

One of the advantages an authorized dealer like Track has over an independent, Hanson adds, is that it offers onsite servicing for most vehicles including everything from system operational checks to component inspections. That means a club can realize a substantial saving because it doesn’t have to pay shipping costs to send a machine elsewhere to have it serviced.

“This gets clubs the help they need without the high shipping costs,” she says.

Ultimately, helping the customer is what it’s all about for retailers, according

to Graves, and he says no one is better positioned to do that than the manufacturer and an authorized dealer.

“We want people to want that product and know that we’re here to support them and stand behind (the product) when they buy it.” ❃

MORE ONLINE!

To find dealers in your region visit: PistenBully - www.pistenbully.com Prinoth - http://en.prinoth.com/ Snow-Groomers Tucker - www.sno-cat.com

SNOW BUSINESS...IS OUR BUSINESS Track is the Midwest’s source for competitively priced, reliable, new and used snow grooming equipment and vehicles. We offer a wide range of versatile groomers and trail maintenance equipment from top manufactures. We have brought safe and fun, groomed snow trails to thousands of snow sport enthusiasts, including snowmobilers, alpine and cross-country skiers and snowboarders. Whether you have thin snow, hard snow, soft snow, wide trails or narrow trails, we can help you find the snow trail equipment to help you produce a superior trail.

Call 952.888.7372 www.trackinc.com

snowgroomingmag.com | Issue 7 | SNOW GROOMING

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Hot Tech Trends and Predictions for 2015

More cloud services and apps in 2015

3D Printing Gartner predicts that the growth of global shipments of 3D printers in 2015 will reach 98 percent. Then in 2016, unit shipments will be doubled. You will most likely witness or be at the receiving end of the myriad of 3D printing applications soon.

I

Gartner Research predicts that by 2015, the retail price of Android-powered smartwatches will dip to a massmarket-driven $30. This is because Chinese manufacturers are poised to dominate both the international and Chinese consumer markets for smart wearables. Then by 2016, Gartner estimates that smartwatches will account for approximately 40 percent of wristworn gadgets donned by consumers.

And since nine out of the ten leading smartphone vendors have already made their forays into the smartphone-connected wearables market, then expect these devices to be ubiquitous in 2015.

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Biometric Authentication As more and more workers bring their internet-connected personal devices into the workplace, employers are pressed to come up with reliable ways to protect company data, one of which is biometric authentication--a user-friendly and effective way to safeguard access to sensitive data. By 2016, 30 percent of

SNOW GROOMING | Issue 7 | snowgroomingmag.com

business organizations will implement biometric authentication on workers’ mobile devices, according to Gartner.

So, in 2015, there is a possibility that your employer will try to secure proprietary data using biometric authentication, which normally relies on face-, voice-, or fingerprint-based systems.

In 2015, you’ll see more cloud services and apps, as well as software-based infrastructure, which can analyze and intelligently act based on users’ historical data and predefined rules. Think smart vehicles, virtual personal assistants, and “intelligent” home systems! ❃

MORE ONLINE! Check out all of Gartner’s top 10 technology trends for 2015 at snowgroomingmag.com/ gartners2015techtrends

1 #

Low-Priced Smartwatches and Wristbands

Apps and Advanced Analytics The rapid adoption of mobile devices and smart systems gives rise to the proliferation of apps that power them. By 2017, mobile users will be entering their valuable personalized data to over 100 mobile apps and services each day and half of all app interactions will be driven by wearable devices, according to Gartner. Additionally, Gartner forecasts that in 2015, majority of mobile apps will collect, sync, and analyze huge amounts of user data.

Mobile apps and software-based systems can track users’ location, unique habits, and individual preferences, contributing to the rise of cognizant computing.

2015 will have its benefits if these prediction are on track! t’s the golden age of mobile, Big Data, and the Internet of Everything. With mobile devices and wireless Web connectivity becoming more and more integrated into people’s lives, 2015 will be defined by these emerging trends in consumer and business technology.

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snowgroomingmag.com | Issue 7 | SNOW GROOMING

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INDEX TO ADVERTISERS 1RISK...................................................... 30

Red Giant Oils........................................ 51

All-Track Inc........................................... 19

Rigging Specialties................................. 34

American Track Truck............................ 15

Ski Hill Mulcher..................................... 39

Destoy Labs........................................... 31

Sno Boss Groomers............................... 11

Dubie Welding....................................... 18

Soucy International............................... 02

Hans Hall................................................ 40

Sufag MND Group........Inside Back Cover

Lif-Tech................................................... 07

The Shop Industrial............................... 26

Lite Trax................................................. 23

Tidd Tech................................................ 45

Lulich Implement.................................. 52

Track Inc................................................. 49

Mattracks............................................... 22

Tube Shaper........................................... 32

Mountain Grooming Equipment.......... 14

Tucker Sno-Cat....................................... 24

MTN Snow Equipment.......................... 25

Walker Equipment................................. 41

PistenBully........... 27/Outside Back Cover

Yellowstone Track.................................. 44

Prinoth................... Inside Front Cover/35

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Contact 1-888-746-2477 Dan Lulich: Service Peter Lulich: Sales 64850 US Hwy 63, Mason, WI 54856 From Sunrise To Sundown, Equipment That Works For You!

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