In case you haven't noticed, it doesn't always snow. Really.
When those less desirable forms of precipitation fall, there are infinite examples from the annals ski resort marketing that called them snow anyway. This was the way it was. Never ever say the "r" word.
Guess what? Sometimes it rains. There. I said it.
If you're trying to operate a ski area of any kind, rain is indeed a four letter word. Not only is it less that fun to ski in the rain (although I love running in it), but it also hurts the snow. It makes it go away. This is bad.
But, freezing rain, sleet, hail, these aren't all that bad for snow. Really.
Now, I'm not a scientist, but I've seen it over and over again. Snow pack hit with freezing slop. A half inch of solid crust on top. Run the groomer over it. Voila! Great skiing! It's more complicated than "running the groomer over it," but it works. "It'll groom out real nice." Really.
Ever go snowshoeing after one of these weather events? Crunch, crunch, crunch. Every step you find fresh, wonderful, glorious snow, beneath a hard, soulless crust. Yuk. But with every step, you free the powder and return the trail to a much happier place. Well, this is what the groomer does. Goodbye crust. Hello tastiness! Really.
So the next time you're wrestling with an impenatrable layer of ice on your windshield, remember: it'll groom out real nice.

Ryan @ Great Glen Trails

P.S. Sorry for the lack of YouTube in this post. I'll do better next time.

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Re: "...But It'll Groom Out Real Nice"
on Jan 3rd 2007, 9:56 pm

All hail the mighty groomer!!!