We’ve had a busy week with several exciting developments in our snowmaking, grooming, and park operations. Here’s an update on what’s happening behind the scenes.
Enhancing Grooming and Winching Capacity
On Monday, we welcomed a new Bison X Winch Cat to our fleet. With two winch cats now in operation, we can train more operators on this essential piece of equipment, ensuring smoother and more efficient operations.
Winch cats are vital for grooming the steeper parts of the mountain, particularly where regular snow cats struggle to push snow uphill. The stability and control of the nearly 22,000 lb machine means even our steepest and iciest slopes get a daily groom for our guests. The powerful winch system mounted on the top of the groomer can extend a long cable that is usually attached to a solid anchor point. Anchoring allows the snow groomer to safely climb or descend the slope.
With the addition of a second machine, we’re now able to winch in more places including at the top of Smart Alec, working to preserve snow at the top of the trail by pushing it up the slopes. When not in use for winching, our previous winch cat will be working as part of our regular grooming operations, helping to ensure that trails are in optimal condition for your next visit.
Snowmaking System Updates and Ongoing Maintenance
Our snowmaking team recently began flood line testing, identifying some leaks in the lines which we’ve been working to fix. And our lift maintenance team has been hard at work trimming trees on the north side of Tranquility to ensure proper clearance for the Silver Bullet lift. We’ve divided into three teams to tackle pre-season prep:
- Leaks Team: Focused on identifying and fixing the leaks in our snowmaking infrastructure.
- Automation Team: Working on communication and automation systems, including maintenance on auto boxes and ensuring electrical connectivity.
- Maintenance Team: Responsible for maintaining snow guns and ensuring all equipment is running smoothly.
Additionally, we’ve been collaborating with the programmers at ARO, a local company we work with to update and streamline our automation system. Our feedback and their programming improve the snowmaking interface for our teams to ensure everything operates efficiently.
New Off-Road Side-by-Side Vehicle
To improve accessibility across the mountain, we’ve added a new off-road side-by-side vehicle to our fleet that drives on tracks rather than wheels. This addition will help our teams move safely across the resort, especially in the shoulder season when conditions are not ideal for snowmobiles. It’s another step toward making sure we can perform essential tasks and respond quickly to any situation on the mountain.
Terrain Park Updates
In the terrain park, we’ve made significant progress. The new down-flat-down tube has been completed, and our team is hard at work welding new features to add variety and challenge to the park. We’re also repairing and upgrading existing rails to improve durability and performance. To make sure everyone can navigate the park safely, we’re installing new permanent signage throughout the area.
Onboarding and Snowmaking Schedule
Our snowmaking team has been ramping up onboarding efforts as we transition to a 7-day-a-week schedule. When temperatures permit, we will shift to a 24/7 operation to maximize snow production. With the right conditions, we are always ready to get the snow guns running as soon as air temperatures, wind direction, and water temperatures align.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to plan for the flakes to fly!
