I used to want to driver the groomer, but...

[Snowlover]

I used to want to drive the groomer, but...

After seeing some of the places they end up late at night, with giant drifts, on narrow dugways, with no markers or trees to guide by, I would rather just ride my sled past those areas and appreciate that someone has the guts to be out there at night.

Say what you want about groomed trails, but here in WA, without them, there is no way you get to some of the good stuff. It is not like northern Utah with aspens you can boondock through. We have close tight pines and logging roads are the only way through.

 

[Supplicate]

Indeed.

I've been looking at trying to get into the groomer gig around here, but then I think about all the jack*sses that do nothing but b*tch about the grooming in the snowies. I'm guessing they haven't gone out there on a night ride to see the groomer out there working, or they haven't been to the parking lot early in the AM to see the groomer dragging *ss back in dead tired from 12 hours running equipment.

And the best thing is this, everyone complains about how bad the grooming is by sunday night.

Do they not realize the shear volume of traffic the trails see? Of course they are going to get pounded out pretty quick when you start talking the hundreds, some days maybe even thousands of people on the trails. Everyone has to ride the trail at least a few miles before they can branch off. But, do you ever hear anyone say how awesome the grooming was saturday morning when making first tracks? Or even sunday morning after a short touch up run was made to try and smooth things out?

I would love to see the state completely stop grooming the snowies for a month, just one month, and see just how gnarly it gets. I know the grooming up there hasn't been the best, but its better then nothing and they are trying to improve things.

 

[32nBelow]

Most people don't understand the conditions that a lot of the groomer have to work in, late at night, blizzards , making a road out of a hill at has not markings left on it, and when you turn back because conditions are to bad,people b!tch because you didn't make it to the top. Then there are the times when you are laying out the perfect trail and are thinking that it is going to have some
SET-UP TIME only to cross it half hour later and see that somebody as torn the sh!t out of it , then you wonder why you spent so much time to make it nice. Its kind of thankless, something that you to love because if it was a job I would have put in my two week notice a long time ago. Just my rant before Pres. weekend. Ride Safe.

 

[tmk50]

Driving the cats themselves is fun I think. I grew up operating farm equipment in the summers, so that may have something to do with why I like running one...

Our cat is ~10 years old (Pisten Bully) and for that age, it is pretty nice. All electro-hydraulics - can move the blade in too many different directions (12-way?) Nice stereo, sunroof, etc. and has more hp (325) than what we need. I'm sure the newer cats are even nicer and built to keep the operator comfy for long hours. We don't pull a groomer, we just use the blade to move snow and smooth out the moguls.

I would imagine that the grooming can get to be boring at times, but I would guess that it is more interesting than driving back and forth across fields (farming) all day.

I agree with the others that it is a thankless job, and one that you will only get one type of feedback. I'm sure that very few people ever call in and tell the groomers or the operators what a great job they are doing.


Sup -

I was one of the ones complaining earlier this season about the trail conditions, but the situation has improved, and I will now point out that I think they have stepped up from where they were around the first of the year. I think they are doing a good job now.

I'm not sure if anything changed on their end, but the results have been far better on our recent trips up there based on what I have seen. Like you mention traffic is a factor.

You riding this weekend? The snow should be decent

 

[Desperado]

Grooming is not what it is all cracked up to be. Try 14 to 21 hour days driving a machine at between 2 and 3 mph, in all types of weather condtions all by your self with the exception of a radio, having to cut out fallen trees in the trail, dealing with folks who at times never seem to be satisfied about the trails, getting stuck and have to spend several hours working your cat around in order to get out, having to work on tracks out in the open 20 below zero with few tools and most likely no help. Go home get 4 to 6hrs of sleep and do it all over again. Pay well if you do get paid, it was between 9.00 and 12.00 per hr. This is a bit of what fond memories I have of working on our trail 500mi trail system in the mountains of west central Idaho. So when you do see one of those operators think of what they are going through and be darn glad someone is willing to do it so the rest of us can enjoy a great sport.

 

[24footjet]

32nbelow, do you groom Gold Creek and Black Canyon up the Methow? Looks good to me... beyond End Mountain to Bryans Butte looks pretty scary.. appreciate it.

 

[R J]

I would be lost without being able to groom. It's been part of me since I was about 9, I have been driving one since 16 and would absolutely go nuts if I wasn't in one during the winter. It's actually better then sleding IMO. If I lived in an area that allowed me to groom regularly (like the western states) I don't think I would miss "having" to go snowmobiling.

Thanks for a topic like this. We sure don't see them to often on this site but it's nice to hear some people appreciate it.

I'll be in our clubs cat on Saturday, I need to change drag cylinders out as they are leaking and then I'm going to try and groom what snow we have just to see if it's worth it or not.

Oh yeah, it's been all volunteer since 16 as well. I get reimbursed for parts I buy but the time and effort is for the sake of the sport. It also helps we have a brand new 2008 groomer. Can't really be too bad now.

 

[Snowlover]

It would really help our state out if they would encourage clubs to be more hands on with grooming. I beleive some states have clubs actually volunteer to groom. For some of the easy routes with some training, I would actually still love to help. Just not some of the treacherous areas by myself.

Thanks to all grommer operators again.

 

[Fredly]

I used to run a groomer for a ski resort, well actually I was the terrain park manager
so I'd love spending time building fixing etc jumps.. on occassion I was asked to help groom some regular trails, not nearly as fun, but still fun.

I tried getting on with snowmobile trails but my day job wouldn't allow
for it, unless I could figure out how to not need sleep.

 

[32nBelow]

24- groom the Cle Elum area,

 

[tranquillicer]

Four years grooming ski resort in the Canadian rockies. Best job of my life bar none!!!! All the skiing you want(FREE) and the sceenery..... well lets just say it's awsome... and not bad when your grooming either. Reciprical ski passes for most resorts in the west and days off in mid-week to go there, chalet after last-chair and all that Spandex, hip deep champagne powder and no one can get to the resort to ski it except staff cause you live there, everyone you work with loves their job so there's no endless beotching every day about the crappy job, new challenges every shift..... yes,your right I loved that job. Could not support a family though so had to leave when that came along and I met my wife there too!!!
I know it's not sled trails and may have extra bonuses but operating the equipment for me was the thrill. All BR400+ back then(mid nineties) not sure how to compare to new ones.
HAT'S OFF to you guys grooming our sled trails, and remember, you don't make the crappy trails the sledders do.

 

[mtntopper]

I spent a couple years running a PB for a contractor to the state. I liked the solitude, running the equipment and being out at night. The problem was the boss who did not believe in equipment maintenance of any kind. He did not want to spend any money on the equipment to keep it safe and working unless you had a complete breakdown. I had too many equipment failures that left me stranded in the middle of nowhere at night without any help. The engine oil was only changed once per year just prior to season start. The snow cats could have over 500+ hours without any proper maintenance. The boss always took the new cat and left the other operators with the worn out crap. I did it because I enjoyed grooming and not to make a living. I would of starved if it was my total income. Out in a snow cat pulling a drag in the middle of the night being able to only see 3 feet in front of you, the wind blowing 60 mph and the snowing falling 6 inches an hour will make you think why the hell am I doing this. You do because you want to contribute and enjoy it not because you are having fun doing it. For any sledders following the groomer at night just remember, if it was legal the operator would just as soon back over your sleds as have you following him tearing up his trails before they set.

 

[Kevco]

After seeing some of the places they end up late at night, with giant drifts, on narrow dugways, with no markers or trees to guide by, I would rather just ride my sled past those areas and appreciate that someone has the guts to be out there at night.

Say what you want about groomed trails, but here in WA, without them, there is no way you get to some of the good stuff. It is not like northern Utah with aspens you can boondock through. We have close tight pines and logging roads are the only way through.

Yea we dont have any Pines in Utah.

 

[Bubba700]

We run into our groomer a few times a year cause for some reason we leave at 10 at night for night rides and he has done a great job this year in the big holes, we try to stop every time and let him know.Seems like a thankless job probably but make sure you take the time and thank em when you see um!
Fredly, did you used to do the park at the Bev? If so I partook of your work on many occasions, I used to put in at least 70 days a season up there when I was going to USU.

 

[Fredly]

Bubba, believe it or not I had the pleasure of working
bullet proof conditions back east..

 

[R J]

I have to disagree with the ski hill thing. Those deals you guys build are awesome no doubt about that, but it's the same thing over and over again every night. You are on the same hill/mountain all the time. That's not for me. The chances I got to groom in Wyoming were some of the best grooming I have ever done. Some at Togwotee and the other stuff down in the snowies. There are times when you think, man I'm out here a ways.

Here is a few pics from Saturday. Sure it's no mountain stuff but it is kind of cool getting started at 930 am and going till 1130 pm and covering about 98 miles and very little of it twice.

Yes, that is Polaris HQ which our trail runs right through the front of the yard of. There is was some good snow along the tree lines and fence lines. I wish it was like that all the time.

 

[Colorado Diesel]

What a sexy machine!!!

Also I want to say thanks to all the groomers out there. I will be learning how to operate a snowcat in the near future.

 

[tranquillicer]

Hey RJ, I can't compare the two types of grooming cause I've never done the trail thing but grooming the ski areas thing is way more than making cords. Rebuilding pitches, farming snow deposits, early season with snowmaking, winch work and best of all was the challenge of working on the really steep terrain. I would love to try the trail grooming or at least ride along some day but there is no groomer near by.
Once again though, to all that look after our trails including the groomers, Good Work.

 

[Snowizard]

A grooming nightmare story..

I posted in the other grooming thread here:
http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64004&page=2

 

[32nBelow]

Glad to hear the operator is ok, heard story that didn't end so good. Think that machine is a parts rig know. Glad I don't have to cross any lakes gets a couple creeks. It will be interesting to hear how they get it out. I would not want to be the one out there on the lake doesn't look that thick. Does it have a tiller or a drag?