A vehicle that creates cross-country ski trails on Grand Mesa is a 20,000 lbs, $250,000 PistenBully 400 funded by Grand Mesa Nordic Council. This vehicle is often called a groomer or a snowcat.
A widely groomed trail with a corduroy pattern is for skate skiing and parallel tracks on one or both sides of the trail are for classic skiing. Many of the trails exist only in the winter since they are created on top of several feet of snow, and if you look for them in the summer you'll find impenetrable terrain in their place.
April 29 update: The last groom of the season will be done this evening.
April 24 afternoon update: Dave will be out snowcat grooming Skyway/County Line tonight to touch up areas that received more snow today.
April 23 update: County Line/Skyway got about 6 inches of snow overnight and it's still snowing. We will snowcat groom all of Skyway/County Line tonight. Expect excellent groomed conditions for skiing on Sunday April 24.
April 15 update: There was snowcat grooming of all trails at County Line and Skyway Friday night. The warming trend continues on Saturday and winds will be strong. The best skiing will be in the trees. Some light snow is forecast for Saturday night.
April 13 update: Groomers were up Wednesday afternoon and did some snowmobile grooming then will be snowcat groomed tonight. The next snowcat groom is scheduled for Friday, 15 April.
April 8 update: Dave groomed Friday evening for weekend skiing. Expect firm, fast skiing Saturday morning becoming slushy and slower in the afternoon. Sunscreen and a hat are a must. Winds will pick up through the day with a cold front passing around sunset with perhaps a skiff of snow. Sunday will be cooler and perhaps the better ski day. More snow is expected for the new week.
April 5 update: All trails will be snowcat groomed tonight. Wednesday the winds will be less, but sheltered trails will still provide some protection. It will be the coldest day of week, then a warmup begins on Thursday and into the weekend.
April 3 update: It's still winter on the Mesa. Trails were hard with a little icy gloss this morning, then about an inch of new, wet snow came down before the front moved through. The grooming is holding up well. Now that we're into the spring weather patterns, the best skiing will be in the mornings to midday. By late afternoon, the snow surface can get wet and sticky. Our next grooming will be Tuesday night after the next little snow storm rolls through. Monday should be a pretty good ski day. Expect some gusty wind and a few snow flurries Tuesday. Choice day for skiing this week will be Wednesday.
April 1 update: NO JOKE! The Forest Service has granted us permission to continue our grooming operations through April 30 (as conditions allow). Next grooming will be tonight: Dave will be out in the snowcat at Skyway/County Line.