The Life of a Groomer: The Graveyard Shift
— Posted by Travis on March 21, 2012
Some people refer to groomers and snowmakers as a different breed of person/employee. They say we must be crazy to work those hours and be out at night all alone in a snowcat. But to be honest, almost everyone that grooms or makes snow loves what they do and doesn't mind the hours or shifts at all. Snowmaking can be quite tiring and long; especially with long hours on cold nights. The few snowmakers that come over to grooming mid-season really enjoy the warmth and comfort of a snowcat all night. Being in a snowcat all night is not boring or lonely as some may think. We have CD/MP3 players to play music. We have CB radios so we can be in contact with all the other snowcat operators. Late at night the groomers tend to get a bit “free” on the radios but it is all in good fun and it keeps the spirits up and vibe happy.
The graveyard crew (midnight – 9:30 a.m. shift) is made up of a crew of younger guys, most under the age of 30. A lot of them have come back year after year and they are all friends. Any new crew members seem to fit right in with them and they all get along great and are always smiling and joking with each other; even at 9:00 a.m. after a 10+ hour shift.
A lot of the graveyard guys are also die hard skiers and snowboarders. On nice days and powder days they all have their gear with them and are ready to get out and get first tracks on the stuff they groomed or the fresh powder. That's the beauty of working the graveyard shift...you'll never miss a powder day.
How does if feel to ruin a run? freash powder is a wonderful thing. For many who can pnly get the mointains a few times a year it is truly a gift. First tracks can be hard to gome by and only one or two runs per day/storm. I suppose there are those who do like the snow flattened down (maybe they don't need to come to Utah? a trail of groomed down the middle, perhaps. I wonder what the vote would for grooming or leaving well enough alone? Someone has got to be the groomer, but I would think it would be a difficult one to ruin good snow on purpoe (maybe like a tax collector, metermaid). Actually, I can't think of a profession where the ones punished are innocent. Maybe I am issing somethimg not knowing anyone who appreciates a groomed runs. it may be your job, sorry to recommend eliminating it. I know, the people who install traffic lights where they aren't even needed have a simialar job.
— Posted by can't think of good one on April 1, 2012 10:44 PM MDT
Fresh powder is definitely a wonderful thing, which is why Travis and his crew leave thousands of acres of terrain untouched. But, there are lots of reasons to groom, even along the runouts of bowls and access roads to them - I have seen plenty of Utah storms where if groomers weren't around resorts would have to close due to people getting stuck (this has happened)! So, I thank the groomers for getting out and packing out the powder where it needs it and leaving plenty still to play in.
— Posted by Eric on April 3, 2012 3:53 PM MDT
I've been skiing PCMR for 10+ years now and I've always thought "Groomers Choice" was picked by the groomers because the trail turned out nice, or was something the groomers were particularly proud of. This season, you've consistantly chosen "Broadway" as groomers choice. Broadway isn't much of a ski trail(it's actually a summer road, if you've seen it with no snow). I just wondered why Broadway would be chosen as "Groomer Choice" so often this year??
— Posted by Mel C on March 23, 2012 1:02 PM MDT
Hey Travis - How long have you been grooming? How long have you worked on the graveyard shift?
— Posted by Tom on March 23, 2012 7:58 AM MDT
Cool! Thanks for responding Travis!
— Posted by Jae on March 21, 2012 9:47 PM MDT
Great article, Travis. I'm one of the snowmamas and this is probably one of my most requested articles when people find out I'm a snowmama. They want me to ride with the groomers all night and tell about it in my blog.
You did a better job than I could have! Thanks for the interesting read.
— Posted by Maggie on March 21, 2012 4:31 PM MDT
Funny, I'm from the east and was at Park City in February and I remember at night seeing your grooming lights on the mountain from the town below. I was even thinking I wonder what they do all night and I did think there was possibly a cb culture like truckers. I also wondered how do you guys know where you're going at night (especially for a new guy). I also wondered if a snow cat ever fell or slid down a steep area? How do you guys avoid that?
— Posted by Jae on March 21, 2012 12:14 PM MDT
Jae -
Most of the groomers ski or snowboard the mountain so they know the trail system. It does look a bit different at night, but groomers learn patterns and ways to navagate the mountain. Rookie groomers usually start by following around others until they are comfortable with where they are going. Incidents like you asked about have happened but with good training and experience they are not a common occurance.
— Posted by Travis on March 21, 2012 2:19 PM MDT