Big Sky expands snowcat fleet, increases grooming efforts & adds new trail
Four new snowcats will debut on the mountain at Big Sky Resort this winter season, providing the meticulously groomed slopes that greet skiers each morning of the ski season.
The new fleet includes four new Prinoth Bison S snowcats, which align with Big Sky’s commitment to sustainable initiatives and environmental responsibility. The new snowcats feature low energy consumption and sustainable environmental protection with increased efficiency and performance. With low fuel consumption and a 90 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide and fine dust emissions, its innovative engine technology meets the strictest current exhaust emission standard.
“This investment in the snowcat fleet allows our grooming team to hit more trails, more often. Giving these trails a grooming refresh each night provides a reliable snow surface for skiers and riders each morning,” said Adam West, director of Mountain Operations.
The increase in nightly grooming will also add a new trail to the list: Lupine, a new groomed, blue-rated trail on the South Face. The new trail starts midway down Shedhorn Lift Line and connects back to Cow Flats, bringing skiers back to the bottom of the new high-speed Shedhorn 4 lift. The trail traverses through existing open terrain to create another intermediate access trail to Shedhorn 4.
“Lupine is a smooth and flowing blue trail with several distinct headwalls and a variety of pitches and corners. It is a true top-to-bottom groomed run to add to the Shedhorn area skiing complex,” added West.
The new snowcats will allow Big Sky’s grooming team to increase nightly groomed acreage by approximately 16 percent, including regularly groomed runs, and adding a few new trails to nightly grooming operations.
Established in 1973, Big Sky Resort is located in the Northern Rockies of Southwest Montana between Bozeman and Yellowstone National Park. Big Sky Resort is the Biggest Skiing in America with 5,800+ acres offering an average of two acres per skier and 4,350 vertical drop. •
