I'm at it again... another new forum: www.slopegroomer.com

[BushMogulMaster]

I was in my Snow Vehicle Maintenance class on Thursday, and we were discussing snowcat troubleshooting resources. We talked about manuals, manufacturer information, contacting other mechanics, etc. The one part that was notably lacking was a solid online resource. My professor, Curt Bender, mentioned that it might be interesting to have forum or blog for operators, mechanics, manufacturers, and other interested parties to share information, experiences, knowledge, insight, etc. I researched, and could not find any site dedicated solely to snowcat operations and maintenance. There are a few sites that have some portions of this integrated into them, but nothing specifically dedicated to cats.

Nine hours after he mentioned the idea I had purchased the domain www.slopegroomer.com and had a functional forum online.

The main goal of the site is to encourage discussion and idea/advice sharing between operators, mechanics, manufacturers, and mountain management. However, I know there are a few folks here who are very interested in snowcats, and I would invite you to join as well.

 

[mondeo]

However, I know there are a few folks here who are very interested in snowcats, and I would invite you to join as well.

There's also quite a few of us who are advocates of snowcat extinction.

Well, I guess as long as there's a dedicated sub-forum for how to use snowcats to seed bump runs, it'll be ok. :razz:

 

[BushMogulMaster]

There's also quite a few of us who are advocates of snowcat extinction.

Well, I guess as long as there's a dedicated sub-forum for how to use snowcats to seed bump runs, it'll be ok. :razz:

Um, hello... I'm the one that started mogulskiing.net too! :wink:

Here's the thing... you can't learn to ski bumps without drilling technique on well groomed pistes. So I have a great appreciation for grooming, when done tastefully in moderation.

Beyond that, I am fascinated by the machines, I love operating cats, and I even enjoy maintaining and troubleshooting them.

So yeah, maybe I can brainwash all of the industry reps who join to quit grooming so much. Quality, not quantity!

 

[billski]

maybe I can get an education there... I always seem to have chair lift conversations with folks that end up asking the question, "I wonder why" or "I wonder how they". Might find some good conversation starters too. I'm heading over there now...

 

[BushMogulMaster]

I sent out an email this morning to 354 ski industry professionals (GMs, Mt Mgrs, Slopes & Trails Mgrs, and Veh Maint Mgrs). I asked them to pass the info along to their respective departments. Hopefully we'll see some traffic through the week. I wouldn't expect much over the weekend!

 

[Glenn]

However, I know there are a few folks here who are very interested in snowcats, and I would invite you to join as well.

Are you sure about that?

I can just picture the e-mails you'll get: "Nice forum...but that Glenn guy is annoying as #^(+@ he asks 80 million questions." :smash:

 

[Johnskiismore]

I think it's a great idea, great place to learn!

 

[billski]

Gee John, you web seems a wee bit neglected
http://www.sugarbushhistory.com/sugarbush_065.htm

 

[vcunning]

Are you sure about that?

I can just picture the e-mails you'll get: "Nice forum...but that Glenn guy is annoying as #^(+@ he asks 80 million questions." :smash:

Don't you mean . . . But that Glenn guy is annoying as he keeps asking questions about that used snowcat he found for sale on the side of the road in Wilmington, VT and since he purchased with 2 other guys and have no idea what to do with it?

 

[Warp Daddy]

good idea i;m always interested in learning how stuff works

 

[bvibert]

I tried to register and never got the confirmation email.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

I tried to register and never got the confirmation email.

I definitely activated your account. Try to log in.

 

[SundayRiver Yeti]

Cool idea. Post some pics, ASAP! Machines in action, machines at rest, etc.

 

[bvibert]

I definitely activated your account. Try to log in.

Works, thanks. Should be an interesting site.

 

[deadheadskier]

Here's the thing... you can't learn to ski bumps without drilling technique on well groomed pistes.

I disagree with that statement. Drilling technique certainly helps, but I wouldn't go as far to say that you 'can't' learn them without the drills. I never did drills, I just started to skiing them as a kid. I'm definitely not as accomplished as a bumper as you, but I can ski them.

 

[BushMogulMaster]

I disagree with that statement. Drilling technique certainly helps, but I wouldn't go as far to say that you 'can't' learn them without the drills. I never did drills, I just started to skiing them as a kid. I'm definitely not as accomplished as a bumper as you, but I can ski them.

Let me clarify. I didn't mean that you can't ski bumps at all without skiing flats. I was refering to learning the skill sets used by professional mogul skiers.

As someone who is very passionate about the methodology employed by the highest level skiers, my point simply is that you can't learn to ski those techniques and those turns without drilling on the flats. You can't master something like lead change and proper weight shifting in the bumps until you've done so on groomed runs.

 

[Glenn]

Don't you mean . . . But that Glenn guy is annoying as he keeps asking questions about that used snowcat he found for sale on the side of the road in Wilmington, VT and since he purchased with 2 other guys and have no idea what to do with it?

We could take it up and down 91 if we ever get a "State of Emergency" storm.

 

[deadheadskier]

Let me clarify. I didn't mean that you can't ski bumps at all without skiing flats. I was refering to learning the skill sets used by professional mogul skiers.

As someone who is very passionate about the methodology employed by the highest level skiers, my point simply is that you can't learn to ski those techniques and those turns without drilling on the flats. You can't master something like lead change and proper weight shifting in the bumps until you've done so on groomed runs.

Fair enough

I basically grew up emulating Edgar Grospiron and prefer that old school style of skiing straighter than the more 'turny' style of modern day. In many ways though it's harder to ski in the old school style than the modern style today because of bump shapes. 'Back in the Day' bumps seemed to be more like footballs facing down the hill where as today they seem to be facing more across the hill. There's probably a number of factors as to why this is true, ski length and turn radius being the dominant reason I'd imagine.

I've always been kind of 'rouge' though. I probably did twenty or so competitions back in high school and would just try and nail it down the line, but when free skiing back then and now today I would/will hit the line for ten or so bumps then air off of one bump over to the next line and keep going, not really doing a trick in the process, just mixing it up.

Today's bump competitors are incredible, but in a lot of ways they seem a bit more 'robotic'. Every video I've seen of Dale Begg Smith looks almost exactly the same, iron cross back flip off the top, rodeo type flip on the bottom air. I think a daffy twister spread needs to make a comeback :lol:

 

[SundayRiver Yeti]

Thanks for the picture thread!