 Ski Jasper Alberta News
New Environmentally Friendly Snowcats at Whistler Blackcomb
Ten new gleaming red Pisten Bullys are ready to tame whatever the snow
gods dump in their path. Whistler Blackcomb recently welcomed the new
snowcats to its grooming fleet for the 2004/05 season. The ten new snowcats,
carrying a combined price tag of $3.1 million, mark another step toward
Whistler Blackcomb’s goal of environmental excellence as they reduce
emissions by 80% compared to snowcats used five years ago.
The Whistler Blackcomb fleet now totals 29 snowcats entirely dedicated
to grooming. The fleet grows to more than 40 when adding in transportation
vehicles.
The new Pisten Bullys feature the latest in grooming technical innovations,
including state of the art engine technology, allowing the machines to
do more work while using less fuel and reducing emissions. These vehicles
are meeting the emissions standard of Euromot Two, one of the strictest
off-road emissions standards in the world.
“We are committed to reducing emissions at all levels,” says
Dave Hennessey, Fleet Maintenance Manager for Whistler Blackcomb. “Grooming
machines are by far the biggest users of fuel in our fleet, so the 80
percent reduction in emissions represents a huge improvement.”
Whistler Blackcomb grooms more than 1,200 acres per night. When winter
terrain is fully open, that acreage translates to an average of more than
120 runs per night groomed to corduroy perfection. And thanks to the vertical
tenacity of winch cats, Whistler Blackcomb boasts the steepest grooming
in North America on the Shale Slope of Whistler Mountain.
“We groom the most terrain of any ski resort in North America,
so we need the largest fleet and the best models of snowcats to ensure
our groomers can help make a corduroy lover’s day,” says Hennessey.
“Grooming is critical for many skiers and riders to have an exceptional
on-mountain experience.”
“These machines, like the groomers who run them, have to be hard
working,” says Hennessey. “If you look at the mileage these
machines put in over a season, the entire fleet of snowcats could have
traveled around the earth about 18 times.”
|
