Visitors to ski resorts and snow parks expect high levels of quality when it comes to your slopes. That means keeping the slopes clear of unwanted divots and obstacles, which is the purpose of regular snow grooming. If you operate a ski resort, proper equipment and practices are vital when it comes to grooming.
What Is Snow Grooming?
Snow grooming is the process of packing and sculpting snow to create the right surfaces for snowboarding, skiing, and other winter sports. Resorts use specialized equipment to properly groom their snow and keep it free of unwanted obstacles, lumps, divots, etc., ensuring the safety of their customers.
Five Things to Consider About Snow Grooming
When grooming your slopes, there are a number of items to keep in mind. Five of these items include the following.
1. Groom Frequently
First, snow grooming should occur frequently. At the very least, you should groom after every snowfall to prevent melting and unusual accumulations that may create hazards for skiers and snowboarders. It also helps to keep the snow compacted, which further prevents melting and uneven surfaces.
2. Keep Temperature In Mind
Temperature is vital when it comes to grooming. Try grooming when it’s too warm out, and you’ll have snow stick, making the job much harder than it normally would be. If it’s too cold, on the other hand, then it’ll be harder to shape. For this reason, many companies will groom at night since the temperature tends to be just right.
3. Maintain Snow Grooming Equipment
The equipment you use also needs to be well maintained. Snow blowers and plows require regular inspections and maintenance in order to keep them running properly and to prevent breakdowns, which can get costly if they occur.Selecting reliable snow grooming equipment can also help here since quality brands will be less likely to fail with sustained use.
4. Manage the Weight of Your Equipment
The weight of your equipment matters a great deal when it comes to snow grooming. You want machines that are heavy enough to handle the volumes of snow you’ll be working with but not so heavy that they have a hard time gliding over the surface. Lighter snow may require lighter equipment, while heavier snowfall may necessitate adding some extra weight.
5. Invest in Training
Finally, snow grooming is a complex process with many variables. Investing in training can make your personnel more efficient and prevent avoidable accidents, all while helping them produce higher quality results.
Snow Grooming FAQs
Is it better to groom snow during the day or night?
Usually, it’s better to groom during the night, but some situations—such as steep drops in temperature—may necessitate grooming during the day.
How often should snow grooming be done?
Grooming should be done as often as possible. Keep an eye on snowfall and the condition of your slopes and plan grooming often enough to keep your slopes perfectly clean. If you find yourself repairing damage or removing large quantities of snow on the regular, you may need to groom more frequently.
Snow Grooming Equipment and Plows at Hardline Equipment
Snow grooming equipment needs to be robust and well balanced in order to deal with the slopes and conditions you face on your slopes. Hardline Equipment offers a wide range of ZAUGG snow blowers and plows which are specially designed for use on slopes. Get in touch to learn more.