Steepest groomer in the world?

[BenedictGomez]

http://www.skiernet.com/angle-of-ski-trails.html
seems to be pretty good and reasonably accurate comparison of trails we all know..

Interesting. Freefall at Plattekill is on that "steepest trails" list, but Blockbuster isnt. So either Freefall really is steeper than Blockbuster (everyone disagreed with me) or Blockbuster should also be on that steepest trails list. Either way, good for mighty Plattekill!

 

[ScottySkis]

Interesting. Freefall at Plattekill is on that "steepest trails" list, but Blockbuster isnt. So either Freefall really is steeper than Blockbuster (everyone disagreed with me) or Blockbuster should also be on that steepest trails list. Either way, good for mighty Plattekill!

No steeps at Platty.

 

[Hawkshot99]

Here's a clip from Mount Snow former marketing department weekly video "Right Arm" from March of 2008 where they winched Ripcord (me and Vcunning from the board *might* have had a little to do with getting then snowreporter Luke Stafford into the cat via our lobbying efforts ) It's not HD GoPro video quality, but it is kind of cool IMHO to get the view from inside the cab while Ripcord is getting winched! The footage is between the 1:30 and 4 minute mark

Rides in winch cuts on truly steep trails are fun. I have ridden along on Jericho, whitetail and Whirlway at Jiminy Peak. I dont know how they compare to the otjers that have been mentioned, but Jericho is pretty steep overall and has some very steep segments.
I got in at the top and other than it looking like you are driving off a cliff once going down the ride was unimpresive. But wuen they turn aroind at the base and go back up you get pinned into your seat. Very weird feeling going up those steeps.
I got a ride once on a semi steep traol but they were pushing out whales. The power it took to move that snow up the mtn was amazing.

Sent from my SGH-S959G using Tapatalk 2

 

[Cheese]

Any long time groomers on the site? The biggest benefit of the winch cat is to allow grooming both up and down a trail but I'll bet before the winch there were some dicey days grooming down hill only. Trying to use the blade for steering and braking must have been an art. Even with the hard points they have scattered around mountains for the winch cats to clip into, I'll bet the night after a rain and hard freeze is still a nail bitter shift at work.

 

[drjeff]

Any long time groomers on the site? The biggest benefit of the winch cat is to allow grooming both up and down a trail but I'll bet before the winch there were some dicey days grooming down hill only. Trying to use the blade for steering and braking must have been an art. Even with the hard points they have scattered around mountains for the winch cats to clip into, I'll bet the night after a rain and hard freeze is still a nail bitter shift at work.

They guy pictured in the still frame on the youtube video I posted is the head of Mountain Ops at Mount Snow, Dave Moulton. Before he came to Mount Snow, he was a mountain ops guy a Killington. He's told me some stories about being in a cat, pre winch days, going down an icy Outer Limits The stories had a general component like "after sliding out of control for 50/75/100 yards, the blade finally dug in enough to get control of the cat again...."

Having ridden in a cat last March out at The Canyons myself. I now fully understand why seatbelt use is mandatory in them!

 

[Puck it]

High Stakes in Mineral Basin is groomed and pretty damn steep. I think that is the steepest one that I have seen and skied.

 

[jrmagic]

I've ridden in the cats at Magic a few times but of course only under good conditions. It was still pretty wild heading down Talisman.

 

[MadMadWorld]

Seen it with my own eyes, but it was two winch cats. As described above: one on flat top above the Couloir and pulling the one below. But it wouldn't be done on a regular basis. Unfortunately I didn't take any picture of it.

I have no reason not to believe you but I highly doubt much of the snow was being groomed. I have skied CE and it seems like it would be more of a crane operation then anything. Still impressive nonetheless.

 

[AdironRider]

I have no reason not to believe you but I highly doubt much of the snow was being groomed. I have skied CE and it seems like it would be more of a crane operation then anything. Still impressive nonetheless.

Either that, or that couloir he speaks of is really not that steep.

The Hobacks arent even close to 40 degree slopes either. The story about grooming them has taken on many forms, but in reality, theres just nowhere to turn around at the top for a groomer.

 

[MadMadWorld]

Either that, or that couloir he speaks of is really not that steep.

The Hobacks arent even close to 40 degree slopes either. The story about grooming them has taken on many forms, but in reality, theres just nowhere to turn around at the top for a groomer.

Couloir Extreme is very steep. Top is closed to or over 40 degrees. Harakiri in Austria is pretty much 38 degrees for it's entire length. Seeing a groomer go up that would be very impressive

 

[spring_mountain_high]

No steeps at Platty.

nope