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Spotlight on the snow groomers
The solitary heroes of the night
Without them, the “Best Ski Resort in the Alps” would be nothing but a daydream. They are the elves of the mountain, meticulously grooming the snow night after night, aboard their large, tracked vehicles. Join us behind the scenes of this fascinating job.
Zermatt’s ski domain is unparalleled with over 360 km of slopes that cross two countries, at the base of the Matterhorn and the fantastic ring of summits that encircle it. And yet, the setting is only part of the reason why this station once again claimed the title of “Best Ski Resort in the Alps” for the fourth time in 2023… much of that success lies in the resort’s intricate lift network and the exemplary maintenance of its slopes.
Their work begins when the skiers’ day ends. As the lights turn on and the stars take over the sky, the snow groomers slowly begin their ascent up the slopes. From the village, they seem to be just specks in an ocean of darkness at nightfall.
Up there, their lights sweep the snow, casting artificial daylight. Their many tasks vary depending on the weather conditions. They plug holes; smooth bumps and any other irregularities to obtain a uniform topcoat; break up ice using the engine’s powerful blade and cutter; and cover all their tracks in a smooth white layer. The bulk of their work consists of moving all the snow that came down the slope during the day (beneath the many skis and boards that ran across it) back to the top of the slopes, while spreading out any freshly fallen snow (both natural and man-made, which in Zermatt, can be produced to cover up to 80% of the ski domain). Heavy snowfall is always better than a thinly coated slope…
No less than 30 of these machines make their way up the Matterhorn Ski Paradise slopes each night, in a precisely coordinated dance with each worker assigned to a sector. Seen up close, those small specks become monstrous 11-ton machines, powered by 390-horse-powered diesel engine and sulphur-free fuel to limit pollution. These expensive machines are difficult to master, and all drivers require special training. While the groomer’s large tracks offer maximum traction, the steep parts of the slopes require drivers to use winches and 1-km-long cables, which help prevent the snow groomers from sliding down the slopes. “It’s more of a passion than a job,” explains Sascha Imboden, who’s been operating snow groomers in Zermatt for the past three years. “The technical aspects of these engines are fascinating, but I also love the mountain’s calm and the exceptional view.” A magic moment awaits every time the sun comes up.
