Snowgrooming dec13 web by Snow Grooming Magazine

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PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE Issue 1 | December 2013

Connie Lester

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Publisher

Welcome to Snow Grooming Magazine!

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

f you are reading this, it’s because you play an important part in the snow grooming industry and you’ve been specially selected to receive this publication. It’s full of information that will help you to make informed and cost-effective decisions that affect the industries of snowmobiling, skiing and trail blazing. The reason I started Snow Grooming Magazine is to inform the snow grooming industry of the latest technologies and to have a place to discuss ideas. From ski slopes to snowmobile trails, there’s a lot to talk about. And we can certainly learn from one another – grooming snow is an ever-changing process. Climate change, government regulations, environmental guidelines, the changing styles of usage on the snow and so much more is involved in our everyday grooming operations. By combining our methods and ideas, snow sports become even more fun and accessible. My goal is to make this magazine and our digital communications a place where any club or ski resort can go for more information on topics like equipment, safety and risk management, environmental issues, grooming procedures, guidelines and other important aspects of grooming snow. Snow Grooming Magazine has been developed for you, the guys who relentlessly maintain our slopes and trails throughout North America. It’s because of you that millions of snow enthusiasts are able to enjoy their favorite snow-related pastimes. But there is so much more to grooming snow than most people know and that is what we

Publisher Connie Lester clester@snowgroomingmag.com Managing Editor Jessica Antony editor@snowgroomingmag.com Design & Layout Gayl Punzalan artwork@snowgroomingmag.com Social Media Community Manager Yasmin Concepcion social@snowgroomingmag.com © 2013 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. 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 Hiway Winnipeg, MB R2E 0C5 Printed in Canada. Please recycle where facilities exist.

intend to discuss in every issue of Snow Grooming Magazine. I’ve compiled a list of important people from a diverse range of snow grooming operations management teams. From the senior executives of the largest ski resorts in North America to the groomer operators maintaining local snowmobile trails or Nordic ski centers, you are all an integral part of the snow grooming industry. This magazine has something for everyone. If you are a senior executive within your company or association and would like your operations managers to receive copies of Snow Grooming Magazine, I’m happy to send them the next issue. Please encourage your managers and grooming operators to go online to www.snowgroomingmag.com and get their subscription. I truly believe that an informed team on the snow is the most cost-effective way to run operations from the ground up. From senior executives to the trail coordinators, please enjoy this first edition. If you like it, pass it on to your co-workers and the decision makers within your organization. If there are important issues that you’d like to see in the magazine, let us know. Our team intends to fill the pages with relevant information that will affect the way you do business on the snow. So, please, pass it on. Be informed. Read Snow Grooming Magazine.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

04 10

PistenBully Matches Technological Innovation with Environmental Sustainability By Jessica Antony Understanding the Importance of the Drag By Connie Lester

14 19

Make it Safe to Groom By Connie Lester

A Labour of Love By Jessica Antony

26 32

A Family Business with Staying Power: Tucker-Sno Cat By Curran Faris

37 41

Prinoth: Moving Mountains By Curran Faris

Weathering the Snow Storm By Connie Lester

Straight and Arrow By Curran Faris

44 49

Intelligent Solutions: EcoGroomer Hits the Snow Grooming Market

By Jessica Antony

Spotting Hazards, By Curran Faris

Saving Lives

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PistenBully Matches Technological Innovation with Environmental Sustainability By Jessica Antony

espite PistenBully’s size and history, the challenges they face in keeping up with the snow grooming industry’s demands are much the same as any other groomer manufacturer. Impressively, however, they’ve coupled their leadership role in the development of new technologies with a focus on producing environmentally friendly machines, a benefit across the board. PistenBully was the brainchild of Ger-

many’s Kässbohrer family. Karl Kässbohrer first began building wagons and trailers back in 1896 in Ulm, Germany, a city between Munich and Stuttgart on the Danube River. The early descendants of Kässbohrers would build boats, float them down the Danube to the Middle East to trade, dismantle them there and walk back to Germany to do it all over again. From these industrious roots the Kässbohrer family went on to eventually become one of

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Germany’s largest producers of freight trailers and luxury motor coaches. Being a family of skiers, it was in the late 1960s that the family thought it would be ideal to have a machine that could evenly groom the slopes in order to deliver a better skiing experience. In 1967 they commissioned one of their motor coach engineers to design just such a machine. After conducting driving tests a year later, the PistenBully was released in 1969.

Equipment & Technology

Advancements in grooming technology with an eye to the environment is key to PistenBully.

Today, PistenBully is a worldwide leader, with machines sold in over 60 countries. North America is the largest market for snow grooming vehicles. As their marketing department aptly puts it, “wherever there is snow, you’ll find a PistenBully.” In North America, the 400, the 600 and the 600 Polar are the three most popular PistenBullys sold to ski areas in the alpine market. The 400 model, a six-cylinder in-line engine with turbo charger, 370 hp and a

torque of 1120 lb ft; the 600 model, with six cylinders and 12.8l cubic capacity developing 400 hp; and its big brother the 600 Polar, which has 490 hp and a huge torque of 1620 lb ft. PistenBully also leads groomer sales in the trail grooming sector. The 100 model, which boasts 197 hp and a maximum torque of 520 lb ft is a favorite on the trails. They also cover the utility market with the Scout model, a 99 hp engine with a maximum torque of 252

lb ft. PistenBully covers a wide range of snow grooming needs in several sectors of the industry. PistenBully is one of the largest snow groomer manufacturers, but what really sets them apart from their competition is the durability of their products. It is not uncommon for PistenBullys to acquire more than 10,000 hours of service and still be very dependable on a nightly basis. Along with their staying power, PistenBully has had many firsts

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in the industry, starting with their 1976 release of drive electronics — essentially an automatic transmission for their groomers. The advantage of this technology — which was originally released as analog and has since become digital — is that it keeps the groomer’s engine at the correct RPM and torque curve for the load. With drive electronics, the engine lasts longer, less fuel is burned and

the machine is simply easier to operate. Over the years the general challenge to the snow grooming business has been to produce vehicles that continually improve the groomed snow surface while doing it more efficiently and economically. To keep up with these demands, PistenBully has developed a number of new technologies over the years. One big step they’ve made is the

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development of the 600 E+ diesel electric. It boasts a 400 hp diesel engine to drive two electric generators that in turn power the electric drive motors for tracks and tiller. The 600 E+ not only reduces emissions by 20 percent, but also consumes 20 percent less fuel, which is a benefit to the bottom line, but also fits with PistenBully’s sustainability program, Green IQ, which they launched

The 600 E+ not only reduces emissions by 20 percent, but also consumes 20 percent less fuel, which is a benefit to the bottom line, but also fits with PistenBullyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sustainability program, Green IQ.

in 2011 in response to new government emissions regulations. Additionally, PistenBully was the first, in 2006, to implement Controlled Area Network (CAN) Technology into their snow grooming vehicles. This technology allows for components to communicate with a central system, which makes precise troubleshooting all the easier in the event of an electri-

cal or hydraulic component malfunction. Similarly, the release of Telemetry, a system for remote error diagnosis, allows for long distance troubleshooting via modem and Internet. While most grooming operations have their own communications plans and protocol in place, it was after listening to the concerns of operators that PistenBully made this communi-

cation a bit easier by making standard in all of their 400 Park Pro Series of vehicles â&#x20AC;&#x201D; designed for building terrain parks â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the inclusion of Bluetooth technology, which allows groomer operators to stay in communication without having to stop what they are doing to answer the phone, improving safety and efficiency. Overall, PistenBully continues to be

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The PistenBully Model 100 comes with a Mercedes-Benz OM 904, at 197 hp. Fuel Capacity............................................................................................................... 40 Gallons (150 l) Length with All-Way-Blade and snow tiller................................................... 29’3” (8,893 mm) Width over combined tracks.................................................................................. 8’3” (2,500 mm) Height with tilted driver’s cab............................................................................... 10’ (3,020 mm) Ground Clearance....................................................................................................... 12” (320mm) Weight with combine tracks.................................................................................. 8,664 lbs / 3,930 kg

a frontrunner in snow groomer manufacturing, constantly updating their technology and design to meet industry needs. As stated by Kässbohrer All Terrain Vehicles, “The objective is to

provide our customer with a snow cat and a tiller that leaves the nicest surface for the skier and the rider. That’s what the ski area sells, they sell the experience, and the tiller is important for

that, so we know our thrust has to be to provide good grooming — if we can’t do that we’re out of business.” ❃

Enviro-Tech International has been providing a wide range of safety training and survival programs to the snow grooming industry since 1978. Check out our On-site Groomer Operator Training Program, which includes: • Pre-trip Inspection • Safe Operating Procedures in all terrains • Risk Management • Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear • How to assess hazards • Solutions to equipment breakdown or failure

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Equipment & Technology

Understanding the Importance of the Drag:

An Expert’s Opinion The Shop Industrial’s Mike Heino shares his knowledge By Connie Lester

now Grooming season is upon us. Mike Heino, President of The Shop Industrial and longtime snowmobile trail grooming expert knows all too well what finessing the drag truly means. “Close your eyes and imagine you are grooming. Imagine it is 1:28 AM, -25C, no snowmobilers, good snow on the trail but the trail is rough from the poker run traffic over the weekend, you are moving along at the perfect grooming speed, 10 to 13 km/h (6 to 8 mph), the cat was recently melted down, cleaned

and serviced and is running like a charm,” says Heino as he explains the process of the perfect grooming run. For many equipment operators, grooming trails means you start at point A, let the drag down and go, looking back occasionally to make sure the drag is doing its job. Mr. Heino puts this process into perspective. “Pay careful attention to what your drag is doing. Watch it as your cat pulls the drag along for the next 20 feet or so. See how the snow is rising and falling off the face of the front blades as they

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meet the moguls on the rough trail first? See how those front blades are moving the snow towards the center of the drag? See how the next pair of blades is taking a little bigger bite out of the moguls, rolling the snow forward, making the snow tumble like a breaking wave as it’s guided towards the outside of the drag? See how the third pair of blades works the snow in the same rolling, tumbling way but now directing the snow back again to the inside of the drag? Now watch as the fourth pair of blades does its job, cutting its part of

Heino’s most important tip is to adjust your blades: “Do it now and do it at the start of every season from now on.”

the moguls moving the snow towards the outside again. There is not much left of the moguls. They are almost cut completely away. Can you see the last two blades on the outside of the drag and that V-shaped blade in the middle cutting the last little bump off those moguls while they continue to roll, tumble and guide the snow? The moguls are completely gone. In the 16 feet that your drag has been pulled along the trail the moguls have been completely cut away, right down to the hard trail base, but not even a fraction of an inch into that nice hard trail base that

has been building up over the season. Can you see all that snow, which in 16 feet has been cut, rolled and tumbled and shifted back and forth from left to right now in the hopper of the packing pan, spread evenly across the width of the pan? Can you see that snow now being squeezed under the pan as the drag moves forward, the pan packing it firmly into a perfectly flat, smooth layer that appears out of the back of the pan on top of that hard trail base? Now look at the trail behind the drag. Look at what happened in just 20 feet and what will happen for each 20 feet

of the many kilometres that you will be grooming tonight. You are creating a trail that is absolutely flawless! After a few hours of no traffic set up at -25C that trail you made is going to make a lot of snowmobilers grin from ear to ear! Job well done!” ”The most important piece of equipment is the drag,” says Heino. “The drag I described is a new late model Mogul Master but this scenario can be applied to other drags as well. What happened in the 20 feet of drag movement that you imagined is exactly what your drag should be doing and is exactly what a

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Mogul Master XLMBP 16 Series with seven blades offers grooming with smaller mid-range hp track vehicles. Features - 7 spring tripping blades - wide stance hydraulic rear wheel assembly - shear pin pintle hitch - break away hydraulic quick couplers - 3/8” hydraulic hoses - 3’ x 10’ and 20’ hydraulic cylinders - 3 adjustable pan skegs - high lip extended packing pan

The Model XLMBP 16 Series has a cutting height adjustment via hydraulic rigid hitch with built-in floating device

good quality drag is capable of doing. I will take a stab here and estimate that 80 percent of the drags being pulled by snowmobile trail groomer operators in North America can’t achieve the perfection described in this scenario. We need to change this,” explained Heino. Many snowmobile clubs perform the required maintenance on their tracked vehicles very well but fail to properly maintain their drag. Heino continues, ”The towing vehicle pulled the drag, of course, but it was the drag that did all the right things to that rough trail to process the snow to that perfect finish. And you must have that drag do everything I described so the trail is not only flat and smooth for the enjoyment of your riders, but so that the trail stays

flat and smooth as long as possible to the enjoyment of the club treasurer who pays the fuel, maintenance and operators’ costs. The longer your trail lasts the less you will have to groom it and the less money it will cost your club.” Many veteran operators may remember a time when their drag was new and performed perfectly, but over time, it is just not the same drag it once was. Heino says, “The reason is actually very simple. 80 percent of the drags in use are out of adjustment at the blades.” He continues, “In order for the blades of a drag to do their job of cutting moguls completely away, the blades must be able to reach those moguls. Virtually all drags have side rails, which are long steel rectangular tubes that run

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the length on the right and left bottom sides of the drag. The cutting edges of the blades must be below the bottom of the side rails. If the cutting edges of the blades are higher than the bottom of the side rails, the side rails will ride on the tops of the moguls and the blades can’t get down to cut properly. You may think everything is okay because there is still snow flowing through the drag. You just have to drop it a bit lower than usual and the trail behind the drag looks flat and smooth. Everything is working like it should, right? Far from it! The flat, smooth layer of snow that is flowing from under the packing pan has not been squeezed onto a flat, hard trail base. It has been squeezed onto a hard, bumpy trail base because

the blades could not get down to cut all of the moguls away. When you can’t cut the moguls completely away what you are doing is cutting the top off one mogul and dropping it into the valley of the next mogul and on and on. Even though the trail looks smooth and flat the snowmobile traffic riding over this pattern of hard and soft areas will cause the trail to become a complete mess of moguls in no time at all.” Heino’s most important tip is to adjust your blades. “Do it now and do it at the start of every season from now on. You may have to replace worn blades, cut and re-weld bent components or do other repairs to your drag to get the blades to the factory setting. But your trail quality and how long your trail lasts absolutely depend on it. And for those clubs who have replaced the wear strips under the side rails of the drag with thicker material, oops! What you thought was a good thing because thicker is better, just significantly reduced the ability of your blades to reach the moguls!” Heino plays a very active role in his business. He and his son, Mike Jr., and

their staff continually make presentations throughout North America on how to make the most of your drag and blade adjustments procedures and provide a wealth of information to snowmobile clubs everywhere. It may be a drag to have to groom,

but make the effort to understand how your drag works and maintain your drag often so that your grooming experience is time and cost efficient while creating the best trails on the snow! ❃

“The Grooming Professionals”

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Make it Safe to Groom

Pre-trip inspections are one of the many topics outlined in Enviro-Tech’s snow groomer training course.

By Connie Lester

rooming snow can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Being on the snow when no one is around and it’s just you and the trails or slopes is an exhilarating feeling, especially when your machine is running well and the groomed snow left behind is perfect. But what happens when something goes wrong? What do you do?

If a machine breaks down miles from home base in a remote area, what would you do? Would you stay in the cab and call someone? You try and there’s no cellular service. Do you make the decision to walk back in -25C degree weather? These are all decisions that could change a groomer operator’s life. Just as snow grooming can be rewarding, it can also be one innocent

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mistake away from disaster. Randy Gerke, expert survival trainer and owner of Enviro–Tech International, trains snow grooming operators throughout North America to be ready for these challenges. Trail groomers are an important segment to reach, Gerke explains. “They are more likely to be in back country and remote areas, so there’s a lot more potential for ac-

Enviro-Tech International is the foremost expert in survival and safety training for snow groomers.

Education & Training

Enviro-Tech provides hands-on training for all types of on-snow vehicles.

cidents or situations where the equipment fails and they may have to spend the night out in the elements.” Gerke points out that when it comes to those situations that leave operators stranded in the cold, they are usually due to the simple and common mistake of not conducting a pre-trip inspection. Gerke continues, “It is so important to make sure the battery is charged and in

good condition, all lights and flashers are in working order, the tracks are in good shape and adjusted properly, that fluids are topped up and at the appropriate levels and a visual inspection is completed before stepping into the groomer.” Groomer operator training is one of the most important training sessions Randy and his team provide. He notes, “An on-snow vehicle can be cumber-

some in the wrong conditions. Getting your groomer in situations like sidehilling or not fully understanding the limitations of your machine can lead to compromised safety, not only for your operator, but the equipment as well.” Safe operation of the machine through understanding slope angles and how the machine can handle them makes for less accidents on the hills or trails

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Training groomer operators on the snow can reduce risk and accidents and make it safer to groom.

and gives your organization the confidence in knowing that your operator and the equipment are safe every time they go out. Another topic that’s thoroughly covered in Gerke’s training is safety equipment. He explains, “So many snow groomers go out without the proper safety equipment or equipment that has expired. If there is a breakdown away from home base, the on-snow vehicle will act as a big hunk of steel and glass that conducts cold. If you have the survival equipment to stay in the cab and keep out of the elements, a life or lives will be saved. It’s a topic we emphasize in our training.” Some of the important items to store in the cab are a complete track repair kit, fire extinguisher, tools, communication devices, proper clothing and emergency survival packs ( foil blanket, candles, matches, heat packs, a whistle, a flashlight with batteries, common tools and nylon rope). A lack of safety equipment puts your operator at risk, so Gerke and his team make recommendations to their clients to fit their needs based on the environment and the elements in the region where snow grooming takes

place. Communicating to home base is essential to safety. Many organizations invest in communication equipment for their clubs or resorts but fail to plan for training and usage. It’s happened where groomer operators have been stranded for many hours only to find out that they actually had a communications device in place but were unaware of or couldn’t successfully navigate. “Developing a communications plan is absolutely essential to operator safety,” Gerke explains, “and training your operator how and when to use the technology is imperative.” The key to a great communications plan is to test your equipment in the regions you groom. Make sure you are aware of where the dead spots are and have a backup communications plan in place for dead areas. Gerke recommends using radio, PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons) or SPOT (Satellite Personal Outdoor Tracker) as a secondary means of communication. Cellular phones have become more dependable in some remote areas but there are many regions in which you cannot send or receive a signal. But, if you use a cellular phone,

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make sure it’s charged! After a long day of work and then a night of grooming, make sure that if you depend on your cellular phone, that you have battery life to save your life in case of emergency. Communication planning doesn’t stop at technology. Planning when you leave and when you are expected to be back from a grooming run is necessary and required in Gerke’s training. It’s important for the groomer operator to know who he will call in case of emergency, the type of communication he will use and under which circumstances he will call. While Randy’s team at Enviro-Tech International consistently train grooming operators to understand what they need to think about before, during and after they groom snow, each individual needs to be reminded from time to time. Gerke and his team emphasize the importance of continued and ongoing training. Each organization must plan a refresher training session so that all groomer operators are up to date with the procedures for safety. Many people forget what they’ve learned within three months and it’s important

Getting your groomer in situations like sidehilling or not fully understanding the limitations of your machine can lead to compromised safety, not only for your operator, but the equipment as well.

to remind them of procedures, communications plans, safety equipment placement and usage. Even simple reminders like a sticker on the dashboard saying, “Did you complete your pre-trip inspection?” keep everyone safe on the trails and slopes. Some snowmobile clubs and smaller ski resorts simply don’t have the expertise or manpower to put safety procedures in place for groomer operators within their organizations. That’s where

Gerke and Enviro-Tech can help. He works with many of these organizations to customize safety and procedural plans that work efficiently and will decrease the risks for clubs and resorts in which they groom. Gerke has been training for safety and survival since 1978. He’s written a book, Outdoor Survival Guide, which provides essential survival information to help you overcome the most frequently encountered outdoor hazards. His team

provides a three-day groomer operator course that consists of one day in the classroom and two days in the field. His philosophy: “I provide the foundation for safety training in snow grooming. It’s a place from which to begin and a great start toward making safety a priority when you’re on the slopes. However, it’s on-going training that really makes the difference between a safe grooming career and potential injury.” ❃

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ON ALE S

Education & Training

A Labour of

LOVE

Profile of Groomer Adam Pearsall

dam Pearsall has been grooming for over 20 years, and he’s certainly seen his share of the variety of trails and weather conditions. But for Adam, grooming isn’t a job, it’s a passion – one that is born out of his love of the outdoors and sharing a perfectly groomed ski trail with his friends and family and other winter sports enthusiasts. “What it comes down to for me,” he said, “is the final product.” Back in 1989, Adam joined the crosscountry ski team at his junior high. The team trained at Garnet Ski Centre, in New York state. At 14, he started

helping out at the Centre, with what they jokingly referred to as “winter gardening” – shoveling snow onto the trails. This experience gave him the opportunity to learn how to operate snow grooming equipment. Grooming equipment has certainly changed a lot since those days – at the time Garnet Hill had a PistenBully PB070, and the basic drags that Adam operated were old culverts, powder makers and a Tidd Tech tenderizer, pulled behind a Ski Doo Alpine. When Adam went off to college in Maine in 1994, he was introduced to the folks at Sunday River Inn and got a

job there on the weekends, working in the ski shop during the day and helping to groom at night. This early introduction to the industry lead to a lifelong passion for keeping the trails perfectly groomed. “These days I oversee a small private cross-country center I’ve put together from neighbors who allow us to create and maintain trails on their property and trail crew of local dedicated crosscountry skiers who volunteer their time in exchange for being able to ski there,” he explains. “I started this project in 2005. We have about $25,000 invested in grooming equipment at this

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Groomers are always up against the elements – conditions can change from day to day, or from one part of the trail to the next, and this is something that every groomer will have to overcome.

point and, in the next three years, hope to purchase a used snow cat. As this is a private center you will not find it on any map, nor in any literature. This is a passion and hobby for our group.” Friday nights, Adam heads out to get the trails groomed and ready for the weekend. It generally takes him about six to eight hours to make two passes on the trails. First, he hooks up a roller to his ATV and rolls his trails, and then does a “finish groom” with a YTS Ginzo Groomer. There are two main challenges that Adam faces as a groomer. The first is the expenses to manage and operate a grooming machine. Whether privately funded, a corporation or a gov-

ernment body, snow grooming is an expensive business. Secondly, groomers are always up against the elements – conditions can change from day to day, or from one part of the trail to the next, and this is something that every groomer faces. “That challenge is also what makes it interesting – every time you go out and groom, conditions are going to be different,” he said. Adam’s trails range from about 2000 feet to 1400 feet in elevation, so he may face powdery conditions at the highest altitude, and slushy conditions down in the valley. Making sure your equipment is prepared to handle this change in conditions is absolutely key. Over the years, unpredictable

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weather has caused a few close calls or situations that could have become dangerous, were it not for Adam’s experience and knowledge. One situation in particular that many groomers can likely relate to, he explains, happened in the late springtime. “I was bringing the Grizzly out to help my parents – we do maple sugaring each year – and I wanted to bring it out to ease getting the equipment up there and put the taps in. I walked in with snowshoes the mile and a half from where I park to where I keep the groomer. I got to one spot on the trail, and there was a bit of standing water on the trail, which happens sometimes in the springtime, and I really didn’t want to get my feet wet,

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so I scampered up through the forest a little bit to get around it. As I brought the groomer out and back, I was trying to figure out if I wanted to skim across the top of the patch of standing water by going faster, or try to go slow. I didn’t want to get too much ice and slush up in the tracks. I was about 10 feet from the standing water, when the machine suddenly dropped 3 feet. I couldn’t actually see it, but the stream had flooded. So instead of three feet of snow I was in three feet of slush. Now, it was getting dark and I tried the winch, but the winch would not move it. At this point I’m knee-deep and soaking wet in my snowmobile suit, so I shoveled out all around the machine. I could see that it was clear water, but I could not move the machine. I walked the quarter mile back to the barn, grabbed my old 1986 Ski Doo Alpine, and brought a few come-alongs and some boards and drove back out to the machine. I always keep a radio with me to radio for help if I need it, but of course the battery was dead. So I made a ramp behind the machine in the snow with the boards, and

put the come-along up in a tree behind it and pulled it back out. It took several hours to get the machine out – by then it was dark. I got the machine back to the barn and left the Alpine there. I walked the 1.25 miles back to the car because the valley was flooded. That was one situation where I was glad it worked out, but it was a couple of hours of really hustling.” It is because of his years of experience that Adam has made it out of these kinds of harrowing situations unharmed. The best groomers, Adam explained, are those who are, in part, doing it for themselves. They’re the ones who, after spending a night out cleaning up the trails, get right back out on their skis or snowmobiles to enjoy the fruits of their labour. “The groomers who do the best job are always looking back to see what their finished product looks like,” he said. “There is a difference between a driver and a true operator, one who uses the machine as a tool to form the trail exactly how they want it, and it takes a lot of time to build up that skill.” ❃

North America Toll Free: Direct Dial:

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Justin Cavasso, Homewood, California

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Ken Christopher, Bowdoinham, Maine

Benjamin Bartz, Tomahawk, Wisconsin

Sean Proulx, Bend, Oregon

Your Club’s Trail Groomer It’s a big decision! Four Track • Two Track • Tractor • Rubber Bar Rubber • Steel How much do they weigh? Does PSI matter? How much do they cost? How fast do they go? What speed should I groom at? …and what are my drag options?

Vehicles and drags side by side. Compare, drive, attend seminars, ask questions.

BUY THE BEST EQUIPMENT FOR THE TRAILS YOU GROOM

Groom perfectly smooth trails without the investment and upkeep of costly equipment! • Fast, versatile and reliable • Creates a trail base from the ground up • Push button control makes ﬁne adjustments on the move

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*** Minnesota GREAT Show (GRooming Equipment And Training) *** -Minnesota’s Best and Only Groomer Show this year-

January 17 & 18, 2014 at McQuoid’s Inn, Isle MN snowgroomingmag.com | Issue 1 | SNOW GROOMING

Need to groom a snowy trail? Or do some heavy lifting? If so, then the Bearcat Z1 XT Groomer Special is your Arctic Cat.® New for 2014, the Groomer Special comes with a LOWER GEAR RATIO FOR MORE LOW-END TORQUE, and aFRONT-MOUNTED RADIATOR PROVIDING BETTER COOLING at low speeds. It also features a front receiver mounted winch, a rear light bar with floodlight and beacon, rear hitch, rear power outlet and a 20” x 154” x 1.375” track.

GROOMER SWITCHES

LIGHT BAR WITH LED LIGHT

STROBE LIGHT

WINCH

ENGINE TYPE, DISPLACEMENT (CC), 4-stroke, 1056, liquid, twin COOLING AND CYLINDERS BORE X STROKE (MM) 98 x 70Dry sump LUBRICATION Full transistor / coil at plug IGNITION 48 mm dual throttle body EFI CARBURETION Stainless steel mufﬂ er EXHAUST 17 FUEL CAPACITY (GAL.) Arctic 6 post (rpm sensing) DRIVE CLUTCH 10.4” dia. Arctic (roller cam) DRIVEN CLUTCH ACT Diamond Direct Drive DRIVE SYSTEM Axial master cylinder hydraulic brake / disc on driveshaft BRAKES AWS VII hydraulic twin tube shocks FRONT SUSPENSION 8.5 FRONT TRAVEL (IN.)

Articulating rear, adjustable torsion springs, 2” dia. rear-arm shock, ﬁ berglass overload springs, Torque Sensing Link rear arm

REAR SUSPENSION 13 REAR TRAVEL (IN.) 137 x 52 OVERALL LENGTH X WIDTH (IN.) 40–44 adjustable SKI STANCE (IN.)SKI TYPE (IN.) / Wide 8” / dual skag w/carbide RUNNER TYPE TRACK WIDTH X LENGTH X LUG (IN.) 20 x 154 x 1.375 / 2.86” pitch Push-button reverse, dual halogen headlight (4-bulb), electric start, extreme high windshield, digital/ analog gauge, electric gas gauge, clock, low oil pressure light, high/low hand & thumb warmers, STANDARD FEATURES tunnel rails, mountain strap, hitch, mirrors, accessory outlet, winch, light bar, ﬂoodlight, beacon light, underhood radiator, actuator switches (2), engine heater, heavy-duty front & rear bumpers OPTIONAL FEATURES

Cargo rack, rear receiver bumper, gear bag, receiver hitch, remote electric start, 12-in. ski skins, side rails, snowplow, passenger seat, wind deﬂectors, heated driver seat, 3rd seat, backup light

AVAILABLE COLORS Orange Speciﬁcations subject to change.

RADIATOR REAR HITCH

OPTIONAL GROOMER ATTACHMENT: Part no. 5639-891 TRAIL GROOMER W/HITCH

A Family Business with Staying Power:

Tucker Sno-Cat By Curran Faris

n the world of snow grooming, no name is perhaps more well known and established than Tucker SnoCat. In fact, the Tucker name is recognized as being the oldest manufacturer of snow vehicles in the world, and the company is still family-owned and located in the very same building, built by founder E. M. Tucker in 1942 in

Medford, Oregon. Beginning production in 1931, the company has produced several different models and products throughout its existence. In the early days, in California, the units were rudimentary, uncovered snowmobiles. These machines eventually evolved into covered utility vehicles with two skis in the front and a

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two-track system in the back, allowing researchers and surveyors in remote winter locations to traverse huge distances that before had only been possible to cover on snowshoes. After the Second World War, Tucker moved his company to Medford, Oregon (Tuckerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home state), in 1942, where E. M. and his family constructed

Model 2000, 275 hp diesel trail or resort use optional: 6-, 8-, or 12-way blades, tiller and grooming drags

Equipment & Technology

Sno-Cat 2000 Tucker-Terra Engine................300 hp Cummins Diesel Transmission...............................Allison 3000 automatic Differential...................................Spicer 80 Fuel Capacity..............................110 Gallons Length w/o implements.........18’5” , 27’ x/12’ Blade and Tiller Width w/o implements...........8’8” w 26” Rubber Tracks, 9’9” w/38” Steel Grouser Tracks Height............................................9’ w/ Rubber Tracks, 8’9” w/ Steel Grouser Tracks Weight...........................................w/ 26” Rubber-14,5000 lbs, w/38” Steel - 14,800 lbs Approx turning radius.............23’ Ground Clearance.....................15” Load Rating.................................2,300 lbs

their new facility. It was also during this period that Tucker became a household name in the alpine grooming business. In 1948, the company landed on their revolutionary four-track design, providing their vehicles with superior handling and traction on steep slopes and in deep snow, while leaving a much gentler footprint. The four articulating

tracks are independently sprung and pivoted at the drive axle, meaning that the Sno-Cats are able to traverse steep grades and uneven terrain. It is this fundamental system that is still found on all Tucker Sno-Cat models today. As the resort market grew throughout the 1970s, so too did the size of the groomers. While Tucker’s groom-

ers were eight or nine feet wide, alpine groomers were now upwards of 14 feet across. Tucker simply couldn’t compete, and eventually resorts opted for bigger machines that could groom much larger areas in less time. But while Tucker may have been pushed off the slopes, they found that their smaller, yet still versatile groom-

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1000HD Tucker Terra Engine.............................................. QSB 160 hp Cummins Diesel Transmission................................. Allison 2500 Automatic Differential..................................... Spicer 70HD Fuel Capacity................................ 50 Gallons / Optional 80 Gallons Tracks.............................................. 26” All Rubber Length............................................. 15’1” Width................................................ 7’3” Height.............................................. 8’1” Weight............................................. 9,500 lbs Turning Radius............................. 15’6” Ground Clearance....................... 10” Load Rating................................... 1,800 lbs

ers, were perfectly suited to snowmobile grooming, which accounts for roughly half of Tucker Sno-Cat’s business today. Leading Sno-Cat’s fleet on the trails is the Model 2000 Sno-Cat, Tucker’s

go-to, all-around snow grooming unit. Sporting a Cummins 300 hp diesel engine, this powerful, diverse machine can be adapted for either snowmobile trail or ski resort grooming, and the optional 6-, 8- or 12-way blades, tiller and

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grooming drags further make the 2000 a groomer tailored to a variety of needs and environments. Available for all Sno-Cat models is a choice in track options: a traditional steel grouser belt track, a rubber-

coated aluminum grouser belt track and a one-piece all-rubber track. Dan Dressler, Sales Director for North America, said that one area that Tucker is always developing and striving to improve upon is their track systems.

“We’re always working on a different track systems. We came out with this all-rubber track in the late 90s, which is more environmentally friendly, and in most cases is still the best track to use.” The newest addition to the Sno-Cat

line-up is the Tucker-Terra. At 15 feet by 7 feet, with four 26-inch all-rubber tracks and a 160 hp Cummins diesel engine, the Tucker-Terra is smaller than the 2000, making it suited for grooming narrower trails. Yet the Tucker-Terra is

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The Model 2000 Tucker-Terra is an excellent choice for all snow and trail grooming applications. Options on this model include 5, 6-, and 12-way blades, tiller, compactor bar, track setters and grooming drags.

still extremely versatile and mobile; its 15’6’’ turning radius is ideal for tighter situations. This compact yet rugged Cat can also be fitted with additional 6- and 12-way blades, compactor bar, track setters and grooming drags. The Tucker four-track system, first introduced in 1948 and continually perfected on since then, is found on every vehicle. The four articulated tracks mean not only greater stability and maneuverability on the jobsite, but they also ensures a more comfortable, smooth ride for the operator. The drive axle and spring system is trunionmounted to the vehicle, which allows the Sno-Cats to handle steep or uneven terrain. This system works in conjunction with the Tucker suspension system to minimize jolts and bumps to the driver and any passengers that may be on board. Perhaps what is most evident is that the Tucker brand is as durable and versatile as their powerful fleet of Sno-Cats. ❃

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.

SNOW GROOMING | Issue 1 | snowgroomingmag.com

Call 952.888.7372 www.trackinc.com

Snow Grooming Magazine is online! Check for updates and see whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new. Articles from this issue will be available in the editorial archives at

snowgroomingmag.com

PRINOTH

Moving Mountains By Curran Faris

oday’s marketplace for ski and snow resorts is riddled with challenges. For resort owners, the always-present battle to keep operating costs down while delivering a positive experience to paying customers — an experience that is almost entirely dependent on the often un-dependable weather — is not an easy one. Prinoth is one company that understands the industry and is making exciting strides to address the multiple needs of ski resorts, from snow grooming, to off-season site maintenance and even resource management. The Prinoth empire began humbly in 1951, when the racing driver Ernst Prinoth opened a modest automotive garage in Val Gardena, located in the northern part of Italy. Utilizing his mechanical process and perhaps in-

spired by the stunning, dramatic and mountainous terrain he found in the Dolomites, Ernst began building slope vehicles and, in 1962, he had his first prototype, the P60. “We have a long heritage in the snow grooming industry and in the overall tracked-vehicle industry,” said JeanClaude Perreault, Prinoth’s Vice President of Sales for North America. And Perreault is correct; part of what makes Prinoth such a leader in the industry is their 50 years of experience and longevity, but it’s also their diversification and versatility that make Prinoth an important name on the hills. The company grew steadily, until Prinoth was acquired by Leitner in 2000. But Prinoth remained independent and continued to function under the Prinoth name. The company saw

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another hallmark in 2005, when it acquired the snow grooming business from the Canadian company Camoplast ( formerly Bombardier Industrial division). By 2009, Prinoth absorbed Camoplast’s tracked vehicles into their product line, allowing Prinoth to expand beyond snow groomers. “We’re using the best of all three backgrounds to come out with a new line-up of products,” said Perreault. Then, in 2011, a strategic alliance with the German company AHWI added a complete product range of mulchers and associated carriers to the Prinoth product line. Thus, the utility vehicle line-up has been completed and extended with carriers used for land clearing, right-of-way maintenance, brushcutting and biomass harvesting.

Prinoth’s Beast Snow Groomer is surprisingly agile with a 527 hp engine to ensure it can deliver highperformance grooming speeds.

At the present, Prinoth, a company of the Leitner Group, is a leading manufacturer of tracked utility carriers, snow groomers and vegetation management products for all types of terrain and conditions. For a company that boasts 700 employees, one may expect Prinoth to simply be too big or out of reach for smaller ski resorts. But as Perreault stressed, Prinoth does not want to limit themselves to one customer type and they are able to meet the needs of large clients and smaller ones who may only require one machine every couple of years. “We want to support both extremes, and our goal is to get our vehicles onto mountains. We have a great product and we feel we have a product for everyone, whether they be a small resort or a large conglomerate,” said Perreault.

Today, Prinoth’s powerful engineering and versatile utility product line have seen the company expand even further, making their gear even more user friendly, with a line of machines that can also be used in the off-season for a multitude of utility needs. Thanks to Prinoth’s low ground pressure track systems, their machines don’t sink into soft soil or mud. Add to this the AHWI vegetation management products, and Prinoth is aligned to be able to deliver a one-stop shop for their fleets in all seasons. “We have a very wide product line that goes beyond just the snow groomers,” said Perreault. The new Panther T8, for example, is one of Prinoth’s most versatile utility vehicles. With a 225 hp engine and upper track undercarriage, the vehicle is one of the best 16,000-pound payload tracked carriers.

Equipment & Technology

Ideal for off-season vegetation management, the RT200 is a compact yet powerful mulcher at 173 hp. These innovative products will exceed expectations in terms of productivity, reliability and safety. As Perreault pointed out, Prinoth is continually working to adapt to the modern demands of the industry and is striving to develop technologies that not only provide the best results but also are extremely user friendly. “We want to make our equipment easier for the operators and the mechanics. The ultimate goal is to produce an exceptional path for the skiers, while making life simpler for the people using and working on the unit,” said Perreault. The Bison X from Prinoth is the snow park specialist. It is extremely

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The Prinoth Master blade (71-ft² area) energizes the snow when it comes in contact with the blade, allowing for increased pushing performance with less wasted power.

PHOTOGRAPHY: PRINOTH

At the heart of the Husky is an economical, reliable and environmentally sound 176 hp Mercedes Benz OM 904, four-cylinder diesel engine that is simple to maintain.

Prinoth’s Posiflex Tiller technology has been behind the vehicles grooming nine out of ten of the Best Groomed Resorts last season.

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The technology and the knowledge of the industry that we’ve developed helps our clients reduce investments and costs over time while increasing their productivity, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is key to our customers, and we have the Snow How program to help them. agile, even on the steepest terrain. The snow groomer will master the sharpest curves and most demanding jumps in any snowpark. The maneuverability of the blade and the tiller makes it possible to construct refined shapes in the park and the joystick-in-a-joystick system makes the simultaneous control of the most important functions a breeze. Snow Park Technologies (SPT) exclusively use Prinoth vehicles to build terrain parks for the biggest action sports events throughout the world. Additionally, the Posiflex tiller delivers unrivaled slope quality by combining key-features such as: Motor Speed Sensor that allows the operator to respond immediately to an overload, also resulting in better fuel efficiency; Active Posiflex Pressure Tuning that allows control over the pressure exerted on the ground so that any snow condition is managed properly. As featured in SKI Magazine, the proven efficiency of Prinoth’s Posiflex Tiller technology has been behind the vehicles grooming nine out of ten of the best groomed resorts last season. Aside from its powerful product line, Prinoth is taking its expertise even further, offering clients a range of on-site services with its “Snow How” program. “Snow How” is a combination of resource management and radar-driven

With 5.3 tons of pulling force and WINCONTROL, the automatic pulling force control of the Sherpa Winch allows perfect grooming of extremely steep pistes even more efficient, simple and safe.

Snow Park Technologies (SPT) professionals exclusively use Prinoth vehicles to build terrain parks for the biggest action sports events all over the world. snow depth measurement equipment aimed to lower the costs and raise the productivity levels of resorts. The snow-depth measuring system uses radar to measure the thickness of the snow directly under the vehicle in an accurate, contact-free approach gathering snow data in real time. The snow-depth measuring hardware is simply installed into the driver’s cabin, and the recorder — connected to the vehicle’s CAN bus and snow depth radar — records all the data about the vehicle and its handling on a server, which can then be visualized and ana-

lyzed on concise, easy-to-read reports. Managers are then able to tell vehicle operators how effectively their slopes are being groomed and can, for example, illustrate where overgrooming may be occurring and optimize grooming routes for operators. “We go beyond being a groomer manufacturer providing only vehicles. By introducing resource management and snow-depth management we work closely with our clients supporting them with their overall snow grooming needs. The technology and knowledge of the industry that we have developed

helps our clients reduce investments and costs over time while increasing productivity. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is key to our customers, and we have the Snow How program to help them,” says Perreault. Resort managers and operators who have had the opportunity to work with Prinoth have confirmed Perreault’s statements. Ralph Lewis, Mountain Operations Manager at the Loon Mountain resort in New Hampshire said “Snow How” has been a major asset. “With the resource management from Prinoth, I can make decisions

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CONGRATS SPT! THE REAL PROS CHOOSE PRINOTH FOR THE BEST PARKS.

PRINOTH Ltd Granby, Québec 450-776-3600 - PRINOTH LLC Grand Junction, Colorado 970-242-7150

based on up-to-date and meaningful facts.” Prinoth also offers training for snow groomer operators, giving resort employees valuable sessions on best practices and effective use of Prinoth’s equipment. “We really want to make sure that we’re going beyond the product itself,” Perreault said. A one-stop shop, indeed. As for what the future holds for Prinoth, Perreault said that they will continue to be a leader in the industry, constantly developing and improving upon their technology in order to meet the needs and expectations of their clientele. He also mentioned that Prinoth’s new machines will be introduced with new engine technology that meets the new industry-wide engine regulations for groomers. In 1996 the Environmental Protection Agency put into place a ruling that would force engine manufacturers to reduce their engine emissions over time (NOx and particulate matter). This implementation has been done in phases and the last phase will be in force as of next year. Mr. Perreault was very optimistic about the future, saying, “The next couple of years are going to be very exciting. There is a lot coming down the road. In the end, the skier is the ultimate customer, so tiller technology is the key to ensure that skiers and equipment users are happy with their groomed slopes and trails. We intend on maintaining our leadership position within the grooming industry in the years to come. We have been the number one snow groomer in North America for the past 20 years and we intend to stay there.” ❃

PRINOTH congratulates Snow Park Technologies (SPT) on the Mountain Movers TV series on National Geographic Channel and is proud to supply professional park shapers with the number 1 park groomer. www.prinoth.com

Prinoth’s Husky combines state-of-the-art trail-grooming technology with the required toughness for extreme snow conditions.

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Weathering the Snow Storm

Environmental Topics

How Climatologists Predict Weather By Connie Lester

n the search for a long–term snow forecast for the snow grooming industry, we found why long-term forecasting for specific needs is difficult to come by. It’s not a simple process; it takes many phases and data analyses to predict the weather. There are many factors that influence a climatologist’s long-term seasonal climate outlook. Many variables and historical data on weather are formulated into the most accurately estimated guess to predict weather this season. Here is a breakdown of the variables used to formulate a prediction for longterm weather forecasting: 1. El Niño, la Niña or Enso (an El Niño/ southern oscillation): We have heard of these predictors in the past when major storms hit and news anchors use these terms. But do we know what exactly are they? El Niño is warm, wet and brings weather that is usually different from the norm. La Niña is cool, dry and these conditions often bring

winters that are more or less typical. 2. Weather trends: Climatologists use a tool called Optimal Climate Normals (OCN) to research historical trends of a specific period of time. OCN forecast is based on the continued average of the last 10 years for temperature and the last 15 years for precipitation. 3. North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and Pacific North American (PNA) patterns: Although weather forecasters use this historical data, it is short lived (can only help to forecast up to two weeks) and is not seen to climatologists as a reliable predictor. But, it’s still looked at to forecast. 4. The Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO): Again, oscillation. But this predictor lasts much longer on the timescale and is an Enso-like pattern of climate variability affecting the tropics and the North Pacific and North American regions. This data is very important to long-term forecasting. 5. Historical Data on Ground Moisture: They don’t call it precipitation because

the data they collect is persistently dry or wet soils in the spring and summer and snow and ice cover anomalies in the winter. These factors tend to persist for long periods and act as a kind of memory in the climate system. 6. Statistical Forecast Tools: a. Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA): A technique that predicts the status of temperature and precipitation for future target seasons using the most recent four nonoverlapping seasonal observations of tropical pacific circulation and to characterize the recent behaviours of the climate. In addition, past observations place recent behaviour into a historical context. b. Screening Multiple Linear Regression (SMLR): This is a technique that selects the best set of predictors, fitting them to the observations to create equations that can be used to make predictions. c. Constructed Analogue (CA): A forecast is obtained using a com-

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There are many factors that influence a climatologistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long-term seasonal climate outlook. Many variables and historical data on weather are formulated into the most accurately estimated guess to predict weather this season.

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bination of past-observed patterns such that the combination is as close as desired to the initial state while following historical timelines in years. 7. Dynamical Forecast Models: There are several types of large-scale predictors that include NCEP climate forecast system, an experimental model and the national multi-model ensemble, comprised of several models. An international model ensemble is also available. These models cover more ground in terms of overall geography. The climatologist will use several of these predictors, cross-reference with several other predictors, re-assess the overall predictions with historical data and possibly start this process again. The business of weather is a full-time job! By trying to better understand the many variables and analyses that are involved in weather prediction, we quickly realize that we may want to rethink using unkind words about the

weatherman when we’re hit with less than ideal conditions. As for the long-term forecast for North America, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service, recent atmospheric and oceanic observations continue to indicate El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) neutral conditions. This means that neither El Niño nor La Niña are present, such that the temperatures, rainfall patterns and winds will be near the long-term average. The official ENSO outlook calls for a continuation of these average temperatures into boreal spring 2014. The November-December-January (NDJ) 2013-14 temperature outlook indicates elevated odds for abovenormal temperatures for the southwest, southern Rockies, central and southern plains northeastward to include the great lakes and northeast. The confidence for above-normal temperatures

is highest for portions of New Mexico and Texas. The NDJ 2013-14 precipitation outlook calls for elevated odds of abovemedian precipitation for parts of the northern Rockies and western high plains. In areas where the likelihood of seasonal mean temperatures and seasonal accumulated precipitation amounts are similar to climatological probabilities, equal chances are shown. In other words, according to Anders Nilsson of the National Operational Hydrolic Remote Sensing Centre, “while an increase in three-month temperature would shift on average where the rain/snow line is, most places will still be cold enough to generate snow.” While the warmer temperatures may mean that, depending on where you are, the snow will not stick around as long, “with more expected precipitation, more snowfall would be encountered in those areas,” Nilsson explains. In other words, it’s gonna snow people! Get your groomers ready! ❃

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!

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snowgroomingmag.com | Issue 1 | SNOW GROOMING

Arrowhead’s line of groomers is centered around three models, the Ultra Groomer, the Ultra Lite Groomer and the Mini Ultra Groomer.

SNOW GROOMING | Issue 1 | snowgroomingmag.com

Equipment & Technology

Straight and Arrow Built on over 40 years of experience, Arrowhead Groomers has established themselves as a major player in trail grooming By Curran Faris

Two Ultra Groomers at the 2012 Arrowhead Groomer Show

he snow belt of the American Midwest couldn’t be a better home base for Arrowhead Groomers. Based in St. Germain, Wisconsin, Arrowhead Groomers builds snowmobile trail groomers. Arrowhead’s owner, Dave Walker, changed the company name to Walker Equipment Inc. after purchasing Charles Vogel Enterprises three years ago. Walker said that manufacturing trail groomers was a culmination and a combination of his years of experience in steel fabrication and his passion for snowmobiling. “It just kind of fell in place that this is what I should do,” said Walker candidly from his home in Wisconsin. Though Arrowhead has changed

ownership, they have established themselves as a major player in trail grooming, with the majority of their sales in the U.S. midwest and northeast, as well as a few of their units making their way across the Canadian border. Arrowhead’s line of groomers is centered around three models, the Ultra Groomer, the Ultra Lite Groomer and the Mini Ultra Groomer. Standard features on most models include dual trip spring-loaded blades, reversible cutting blades, spring-loaded stiff hitch and dual rear wheels. However, all models are suited for slightly different scenarios and needs. The Ultra, Arrowhead’s premier and largest groomer (measuring in at 8’, 8’6”, 9’6”, 10’ and 8’-12’), is used mainly

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The Ultra, Arrowhead’s premier groomers, on their way to IIllinois.

for club and commercial trails. Optional features include rugged “pizza cutters” to avoid sideways sliding, 18-inch rear rudders and a built-in toolbox. The Ultra Lite is lighter in weight and designed for narrower trails, while the Mini Ultra, measuring 5’x8’ or 5’x9’6” are perfect for mini trail needs and are designed to be pulled by an ATV, utility vehicle or utility snowmobile. Walker said that Arrowhead Groomers are built upon the nearly 40 years of trail grooming expertise of Charles Vogel Enterprises, which was established in 1976. “Our workmanship and quality are second to none,” said Walker, adding

that Arrowhead has made some innovative improvements to their forthcoming groomers. Some of the improvements, Walker said, include heavier crossmembers on the drags, the addition of extra gussets on the crossmember and blade assemblies, as well as the addition of plating on the inside of the side rails, which keeps the grooming blades from being ripped out of the assembly when the drag strikes rocks or stumps. Like many others in the snow grooming industry, Arrowhead is also expanding into the off-season and is in the process of developing groomers for ATV trail grooming.

Arrowhead also host one of the largest trail grooming trade shows in the U.S. every February. The Annual Groomer Show features around a dozen vendors from Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan who display their latest products and technological innovations. Walker said that between 300 and 350 people attend each year. The trade show will be held on February 5 and 6, 2014, at the Arrowhead plant in St. Germain, Wisconsin. “As far as snowmobile grooming goes, I’d say it’s the biggest trade show in the U.S.,” said Walker. ❃

17TH ANNUAL GROOMER SHOW February 5th & 6th, 2014 Wednesday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Thursday 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

See and Test Drive the latest equipment from: Hosted by

WALKER EQUIPMENT INC.

Walker Equipment Inc. 6351 Hwy 70 East St. Germain, WI 54558

Tucker New Holland Soucy Tracks PistenBully John Deere

Sno-Boss Groomers Prinoth Fendt Arrowhead Groomers Camoplast Tracks

Accommodations - Lodging Information @ www.arrowheadgroomers.com OR CALL 715-479-4200

SNOW GROOMING | Issue 1 | snowgroomingmag.com

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Equipment & Technology

Intelligent Solutions:

EcoGroomer Hits the Snow Grooming Market

EcoGroomer Inc. hits the slopes by matching environmental sustainability with affordability By Jessica Antony

n response to the increasingly high cost of purchasing and operating snow grooming equipment, a new company has entered the market. EcoGroomer Inc., a Colorado-based company, has released two new snow grooming innovations to help revolutionize the industry: the Aztec Winch Groomer and the EcoGroomer Snow Processing Units (SPUs). Daniel Osborne is the man behind

EcoGroomer Inc. While working as a mortgage broker in California, Osborne got to know a number of CEOs in the ski industry. They told him that one of the most troubling issues they were coming up against was the rising cost of snow grooming equipment. “The average price of a snow groomer went from the mid-$100,000s in the 90s to now close to $300,000 for your average snow grooming machine,” he explains.

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So, in response to this, EcoGroomer was born and Osborne set out to enter the market with “more affordable, more eco-friendly and just more intelligent snow grooming solutions.” The Aztec Winch Groomer, or Graphit — developed by Aztec SAS, a company out of Grenoble, France and imported exclusively by EcoGroomer, Inc. — is the first machine that the company is delivering to North Ameri-

What sets the Aztec apart from the competition is the use of a synthetic rope in place of the usual steel cable, which makes the machine lighter and more cost efficient to run, not to mention safer to operate.

The EcoGroomer’s design essentially amounts to three separate snow cats directed by a single operator. can ski resorts, and the first of its kind. What sets the Graphit apart from the competition is the use of a synthetic rope in place of the usual steel cable, which makes the machine lighter and more cost efficient to run, not to mention much safer to operate. “Winch grooming machines can be very dangerous because you can’t see the steel cable in the middle of the night and serious injuries have resulted when peosnowgroomingmag.com | Issue 1 | SNOW GROOMING

Creating the perfectly groomed slope wil soon be far more efficient with the EcoGroomer SPU.

ple come in contact with it,” Osborne explains. The Aztec Winch Groomer’s synthetic rope is both more visible and has the same strength as the usual steel cable, but at an impressive 1000 pounds lighter. EcoGroomer Inc. is the exclusive importer of this new machine for all of North America. The EcoGroomer is a triple-wide grooming operation with two semi-

autonomous side units that follow the commands of the main cat around the mountain, increasing the surface area coverage by 200 percent for each operator. The EcoGroomer’s design essentially amounts to three separate snow cats directed by a single operator. The benefit of these side units is that they require only a 225-250 hp engine to operate — as compared to the main

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cat, which requires 350-400 hp — effectively cutting fuel costs by a whopping third. “Just the size of the engine alone is going to allow our units to use at least a third less fuel per grooming pass,” Osborne says. The EcoGroomer SPUs are being developed in partnership with Aztec, whose base platform is from Ohara Corporation, a Japanese snow groomer manufacturer. “The

Daniel Osborne, President of EcoGroomer Inc. and newcomer to the groomer manufacturing market in North America.

Engineer’s model of the Snow Processing Unit being developed in partnership with Aztec.

EcoGroomer units will have French, American and Japanese technology built into them,” Osborne explains. While the EcoGroomer is still undergoing further development and testing, the next nine to twelve months will see this triple-wide groomer on the mountain and ready for demonstration.

Osborne makes clear that these major products, and other smaller ones currently in development, will introduce changes to the ways in which snow grooming has been done in the past, changes that will make snow grooming more intelligent, economical and environmentally friendly. “We’ve

gotten a lot of positive response from North American operators, that they want it and they need it,” he explains. EcoGroomer plans to deliver to those unmet needs in the market. ❃

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g n i t t o Sp , s d r a z Ha s e v i L g n i v a S

Safety is paramount for snow groomers, and SPOT can help By Curran Faris

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eather can go from bad, to worse, to extreme faster than most of us realize — a fact that is rapidly becoming more and more pronounced in today’s world. In no environment is this more true that on the side of mountain or deep in the woods during winter. Mechanical failure, breakdowns, blizzards and plummeting temperatures can become serious, even life-threatening situations. For snow groomer operators, safety and communication are paramount. SPOT (Satellite Personal Outdoor Tracker) started in 2007 with the goal of creating affordable GPS tracking products that allow people to get in touch with emergency services when they find themselves outside of cellphone service range. And their products do just that. In fact, the SPOT Satellite Messenger won the Backpacker Magazine Editor’s Choice award in 2008, and the company has initiated over 2500 rescues in over 70 countries. This year the company introduced the SPOT Gen3TM ($149 USD), an updated version of their messenger series, which offers customized tracking rates, motion-activated tracking and continuous tracking. Here’s how it works: the device sends messages to communication satellites, which route to satellite antennas. The satellite antennas and a global network direct the messages to the appropriate network, and these messages are then delivered to contacts via phone or computer, allowing users to connect and share their GPS coordinates. The Messenger has three safety statuses: “OK,” which, just like it says,

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means you’re safe, perhaps useful for operators to check in with each other and managers when working in a cellular dead zone. “Help” sends a text or email with your GPS coordinates to up to 10, pre-selected contacts, who can in turn either come to your aid, or contact emergency services. This is ideal for non-life-threatening situations, such as a mechanical breakdown or getting lost. When the “SOS” button is pushed, the signal and your coordinates are sent to the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center, who will coordinate local emergency

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teams. The SOS signal resends to GEOS every five minutes, and can be cancelled if necessary. It’s also possible to send custom messages along with your coordinates. The SPOT Messenger runs on AAA lithium batteries, and can last approximately three days broadcasting an SOS signal. According to the SPOT website, extreme cold can drain battery life, and carrying replacement batteries is al-

ways recommended. SPOT has a wide range of rugged and affordable products, aside from the Messenger, that are ideal for any backpack, parka, toolkit or glove box that is heading into the wilderness, including the SPOT Global Phone, the smallest and most affordable satellite phone on the market and the first of its kind available to the mass market, and SPOT ConnectTM, which, in conjunc-

tion with an app, can turn your smartphone into a satellite communicator. “With SPOT you have affordable coverage outside the boundaries of cellular coverage, providing users and their family and friends with added peace of mind,” said Brad Horton, a representative for SPOT LLC. The SPOT TraceTM, a pebble-sized tracking device for large equipment such as snowmobiles or even groom-

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ers, allows users to track the movements (or non-movement) of their equipment. Simply put, the durability, reliability and affordability of SPOT’s products makes safety and communication for operators — and anyone who works in the wilderness — effortless and, frankly, a no-brainer. ❃

Advertiser Index Arctic Cat....................................................................................................................................24-25 EcoGroomer...............................................................................................................................02 Enviro-Tech International.....................................................................................................08 Hiss Groomers...........................................................................................................................23 Mattson Ent. - American Track Truck...............................................................................39 Pisten Bully.................................................................................................................................OBC Prinoth.........................................................................................................................................36 Solara ...........................................................................................................................................47 Sprung..........................................................................................................................................21 The Shop Industrial.................................................................................................................13 Track Inc......................................................................................................................................30 Track Inc. - MN Trade Show..................................................................................................23 Tucker Sno-Cat..........................................................................................................................IFC Walker Equipment - WI Trade Show.................................................................................42

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