Winch Cat

This afternoon and into the evening both Scott and Dorse will be operating snowcats and getting the Upper Mountain ready. When I saw them about an hour ago, they were operating the winch cat on Lenawee Face. In areas where we make or groom snow, the snow gets moved around a lot by us with snowcats and by skiers and riders as they turn. A regular snowcat can move snow around flat areas and downhill areas quite well.  Because snow is heavy, it is tough to push uphill.  We use a winch cat for that.  As you can see in this top picture, there is a big winch and cable on the cat that is attached to an uphill anchor.  The winch helps pull the cat and the snow uphill. That anchor can be portable like another snowcat or it can be a fixed point.  We have many fixed anchors scattered around the mountain.

Tomorrow morning the mountain staff is going to take a good look at tonight's grooming and snowmaking progress.  Once we have made adequate snow, there is still 18-24 hours of work removing snowmaking equipment, putting on the final grooming touches, and getting the last stuff (ropes, pads, signs, etc.) ready.  The Upper Mountain will not open Thursday.  We hope to open it before the weekend.  Look for a definitive announcement tomorrow.  It looks great up there.

Winch Cat

This afternoon and into the evening both Scott and Dorse will be operating snowcats and getting the Upper Mountain ready. When I saw them about an hour ago, they were operating the winch cat on Lenawee Face. In areas where we make or groom snow, the snow gets moved around a lot by us with snowcats and by skiers and riders as they turn. A regular snowcat can move snow around flat areas and downhill areas quite well.  Because snow is heavy, it is tough to push uphill.  We use a winch cat for that.  As you can see in this top picture, there is a big winch and cable on the cat that is attached to an uphill anchor.  The winch helps pull the cat and the snow uphill. That anchor can be portable like another snowcat or it can be a fixed point.  We have many fixed anchors scattered around the mountain.

Tomorrow morning the mountain staff is going to take a good look at tonight's grooming and snowmaking progress.  Once we have made adequate snow, there is still 18-24 hours of work removing snowmaking equipment, putting on the final grooming touches, and getting the last stuff (ropes, pads, signs, etc.) ready.  The Upper Mountain will not open Thursday.  We hope to open it before the weekend.  Look for a definitive announcement tomorrow.  It looks great up there.

Nice Way To Finish The Day

Nice Way To Finish The Day

Morning Light

Took another morning tour of Lenawee today.  Very cool light on the summit just as the sun broke over the ridge. The snowmaking guns were all running. This is going to be a really good opening. Most of it is ready now. We are going to finish the last spots that need snow and fatten up the others.  Exact date for the Upper Mountain opening is still to be determined, except to say that it will be this week.

Morning Light

Took another morning tour of Lenawee today.  Very cool light on the summit just as the sun broke over the ridge. The snowmaking guns were all running. This is going to be a really good opening. Most of it is ready now. We are going to finish the last spots that need snow and fatten up the others.  Exact date for the Upper Mountain opening is still to be determined, except to say that it will be this week.

Snow Update

It was a little storm leaving about 1.5 inches on the ground.  Snowmaking was OK last night working primarily on Lenawee Traverse. A glitch slowed us down a bit, but tonight should be full on. The cat drivers continue to work on grooming and dozing. The forecast for the week looks incredible with bluebird, sunny days and cold nights.

Snow Update

It was a little storm leaving about 1.5 inches on the ground.  Snowmaking was OK last night working primarily on Lenawee Traverse. A glitch slowed us down a bit, but tonight should be full on. The cat drivers continue to work on grooming and dozing. The forecast for the week looks incredible with bluebird, sunny days and cold nights.