Also, snow groomers can be used for transporting goods, transporting people, as well as for rescue work in the relevant area.

Device

At the heart of the snowcat is the skidder design, adapted to work in harsh winter conditions. The self-propelled chassis of the snowcat is equipped with wide tracks, more than a meter wide. Such wide tracks give good stability on steep slopes and low snow pressure, in the order of 50-60 g/cm² (5-6 kN/m²).

Snow groomers are made of lightweight materials, have an insulated cabin and glazing with a panoramic view, as a rule, they are equipped with a bulldozer-type blade, but they can have other configurations.

Front and rear mounting attachments.

Stok narciarski w Przemyślu - Ratrak.jpg

Ratrak with a cargo platform.

Schnee Walzenprofil 2.jpg

A characteristic ribbed track in the snow left by a snowcat.

Story

The name "Ratrak" comes from the name of the first machine of this type, sold in Europe in the 1960s. Initially these were american cars firms Thiokol And LMC and sold under the brand name Ratrac. In the 1990s, the ultimate beech " With' has been replaced by ' k"and the car began to be called Ratrak.

Modern production

The main manufacturers of this type of equipment are the Italian company Prinoth, Canadian company bombardier, German Kassbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG, producing snowcats under the trademark PistenBully. IN North America class of these machines is known as snow cat, in Europe the term is more commonly used piste machine(machine for preparing the ski run). Snow groomers can be used not only for compacting snow, but also for forming various profiles using special attachments.

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An excerpt characterizing Ratrak

The big ones started talking about Bonaparte. Julie, daughter of Karagina, turned to the young Rostov:
- What a pity that you were not at the Arkharovs on Thursday. I was bored without you,” she said, smiling gently at him.
A flattered young man with a coquettish smile of youth moved closer to her and entered with a smiling Julie into separate conversation, not noticing at all that this involuntary smile of his with a knife of jealousy cut the heart of Sonya, who was blushing and pretending to smile. In the middle of the conversation, he looked back at her. Sonya looked at him passionately and vexedly, and, barely able to keep the tears in her eyes and a feigned smile on her lips, got up and left the room. All of Nikolai's animation was gone. He waited for the first break in the conversation and, with a distressed face, went out of the room to look for Sonya.
- How the secrets of all this youth are sewn with white thread! - said Anna Mikhailovna, pointing to the exit of Nikolai. - Cousinage dangereux voisinage, [Disaster business - cousins,] - she added.
“Yes,” said the countess, after the ray of sunshine that had entered the living room with this young generation had disappeared, and as if answering a question that no one asked her, but which constantly occupied her. - How much suffering, how much anxiety endured in order to now rejoice in them! And now, really, more fear than joy. Everything is afraid, everything is afraid! It is the age at which there are so many dangers for both girls and boys.
“It all depends on upbringing,” said the guest.
“Yes, you are right,” continued the Countess. “Until now, thank God, I have been a friend of my children and enjoy their full confidence,” the countess said, repeating the error of many parents who believe that their children have no secrets from them. - I know that I will always be the first confidente [attorney] of my daughters, and that Nikolenka, in her ardent character, if she is naughty (the boy cannot do without it), then everything is not like these St. Petersburg gentlemen.
“Yes, nice, nice guys,” the count confirmed, always resolving questions that were confusing for him by finding everything glorious. - Look, I wanted to be a hussars! Yes, that's what you want, ma chere!

Do-it-yourself skiing is an exciting and time-consuming activity. It implies the compaction of snow in a certain area of ​​\u200b\u200bland for walking or competition. Variety of models and brands special equipment allows you to prepare the route with high quality and in a short time. The most common and easiest way is to put it on and lay it yourself.

Ratrak is a self-propelled transport on caterpillar tracks, developed on the basis of a tractor design. It is used for pressing snow on ski tracks and ski slopes, transporting passengers and goods, rescue operations in difficult places.

It is believed that the machine was designed by the American Emmit Truck in 1930. The first transport was on two tracks and three and was intended to transport people in deep snow. In 1951, the same inventor patented an all-terrain vehicle on four tracks. And only much later, the vehicle was adapted for compacting snow in the ski resorts of America.

On the European continent, snow groomers appeared as snow-compacting equipment shortly before the VIII Winter Olympic Games in 1960. Courchevel was the first ski resort to use the American technique of Emmit Truck to prepare its slopes. Somewhat later, but still in the same 60s, the Austro-Swiss company Ratrac released the Ratrac-S machine, which gave the name vehicles used to maintain ski slopes and slopes. In the 80s in the USSR, on the basis of the Lvov Special Design Bureau "Sportmash", under the leadership of Valery Dmitrievich Syrtsov, three types of snow groomers were created. Until the 90s, 40 cars were produced, and then the projects were closed, the association ceased to exist.

Modern production

The leading companies in the production of snowcats in the world market are:

1. Italian Prinoth. Founder - Ernst Prynot, invented the first snow compactor P-20 in the early 60s. The company produces 7 different models.
2. German Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG. Most famous cars brand PistenBully. It is noteworthy that one of the models is designed for leveling artificial snow indoors. The company produces 16 models of snowcats.
3. Japanese Ohara. The company produces equipment for waste processing, equipment for oil and gas production. Therefore, the range of produced snowcats is small, only 3 types.
4. Another Italian company Favero Lorenzo. Produced 2 models are compact and inexpensive.
5. American Tucker Sno-Cat. Works mainly for the domestic market.
6. Russian SnezhMa. Almost the only domestic company. Located in Chelyabinsk. It produces snow groomers SM-170, SM-210 and SM-320.

Operation of snow-pressing equipment

In addition to compaction, modern machines carry out the functions of cleaning, distributing snow mass, smoothing and leveling slopes, laying walking trails and ski tracks, erecting pipes and jumps, creating figures in snow parks, transporting passengers and goods.

Important! According to safety requirements, skiers are denied access to sports facilities during the operation of the equipment in order to avoid accidents.

Characteristics of snowcats

1. The equipment is designed for operation at any time of the year.
2. Design principles are based on stability and power. The machines have ROPS (Roll Over Protection System) anti-rollover systems and wide tracks with lugs that provide high cross-country ability. The hydraulic winch allows the machine to climb steep slopes while pulling on the cable as the tracks move. Engine power, measured in horsepower, enough to lay a track of 10,000 km in two hours.
3. On models for passenger traffic cabs installed.

Snow groomers for cross-country skiing

Transport for laying routes is not diverse:

• German car brand PistenBully Paana (117 hp) from Kässbohrer Geländefahrzeug AG;
• Prinoth Husky (177 hp), manufacturer - Prinoth (Italy);
• Favero Snow Rabbit 3 (100 HP) by Snow Rabbit.

If you have technical knowledge and practice, then you can make a do-it-yourself snowcat for skiing using parts from different brands.

The high cost of special equipment limits the mass use of these machines for laying tracks. A more acceptable technique is a snowmobile with a wide and long caterpillar and two skis in front. For example, Russian: Buran, Taiga, imported: Yamaha, Artik KET, Polaris.

Do-it-yourself ski slope preparation equipment

In this category of equipment, trailers are used:

1. Cutter - serves to create a classic ski track. The cutting and pressing principle is used, depending on the quality of the snow surface. SNOWPRO's XCSPORT is recognized as a universal cutter for preparing ski slopes. With a weight of 32 kg, the equipment will make a high-quality track in any condition of the snow mass.
2. Harrow - removes, loosens crust, fills holes, levels, forms longitudinal strips.
3. Snow roller. Designed for all types of surfaces. Compacts the snow mass.

When preparing a new ski run, some rules must be taken into account:

Important! It is forbidden to lay a ski track across the banks of rivers, canals, beams, ravines, road and railway tracks, through poorly frozen reservoirs.

1. Study the landscape and determine the route.
2. For normal skiing, they are laid in an open area, creating several tracks various lengths and complexity. Combine climbs, flat sections of the path and descents.
3. On the slopes, obstacles in the form of vegetation, ditches, funnels are excluded. Distributes low climbs and long and difficult descents.
4. From each path to a width of 1 m in both directions, the snow is compacted.
5. Schemes of mass routes are placed on a separate board in a prominent, accessible place.
6. Color markings are applied throughout the track.
7. The first third of the route is laid on a flat terrain. The second part is the most difficult. The latter is formed from equivalent ascents and descents.
8. On a straight track, the distance between turns is 50 m.
9. Be sure to take care of lighting routes. Lanterns are installed on supports, observing uniformity between oncoming tracks.
10. Upon completion of the construction, the ski tracks make up a kind of route passport by drawing on a map of the area.

Important! During ascents and descents, the track cannot pass along the slope and include hills steeper than 20 °.

Professional routes are equipped based on the complexity of the races, the territory, and the training of athletes. Mostly in areas overgrown with trees and shrubs.

Preparing ski slopes with devices takes a significant amount of time and effort. Financial investments are also important. But this work brings pleasure and joy when you see the happy eyes of people, you feel their gratitude and gratitude.

Perhaps this question was asked by every beginner who first came to a ski resort. How does this happen and why is all this necessary? It would seem that there is a mountain, there is snow, what else do you need? Many years ago, I asked myself exactly the same questions. But today the situation is much better. Thanks to a trip to Himos ski resort and an amazing opportunity to experience the cuisine of the ski slopes directly from the inside.

2. A ski resort is not just a mountain and tracks laid on it. This is a real living organism that lives its own life, with its own special biorhythms. During the day, snow-white slopes meet visitors who catch the wind, rushing from top to bottom over a dense snow cushion, at night the resort is empty, but does not fall asleep. Just at night there is a lot of work, hidden from prying eyes. As soon as the lifts stop, they come into action special machines- snowcats, which, like tireless scarab beetles, plow the snow cover. Why do they do this and how, Anatoly will tell us - a pleasant young man who has been working on the slopes of Himos for several years.

Anatoly moved to live in Finland 14 years ago with his parents. For the past few years, he has been working as a machinist for a unique powerful machine, in which I managed to ride with him and watch him work.

3. Ratrak is a special snow compactor, somewhat similar to a construction bulldozer, but structurally it is a completely different device. It is specially designed to work in difficult conditions associated with work on steep slopes covered with snow and ice. To ensure maximum grip on the slope, the snowcat moves on wide tracks, like those of a swamp, made of dense reinforced rubber bands and metal strips with sharp teeth, capable of biting even into bare ice. In order to avoid overturning, all significant parts of the snowcat are underestimated, including the engine, which is located between the tracks under the cab. The cabin itself is made of light-alloy metals. In addition to the cab, only hydraulic winches rise above the tracks. All this made it possible to lower the center of gravity of the machine as much as possible, thanks to which the snowcat in combination with enhanced grip is able to work on slopes up to 50 degrees!
- And what if it is even steeper, for example, black slopes? - I have a reasonable question.
- For this we have a winch. We cling and go - Anatoly answers.
- Yes, where to cling to? What about trees?
Well, we have our own secrets. Anatoly smiles cunningly. - Here we have a whole system of hooks hidden under the snow. Everywhere there is an opportunity to catch on.

4. In the meantime, the car begins to crawl into a steep climb, along which I literally flew skiing during the day. From the cabin, the sensations are such that it seems we are climbing almost a sheer wall. I involuntarily grab the handle. But Anatoly is calm and only smiles at my fuss. Still would! His whole shift consists only of such steep climbs, and then no less extreme descents. Working on a snowcat is, in a sense, like working on a lawn mower, only huge. In the same way, strip after strip, it is necessary to put the coating in order. During the day of skiing, the snow breaks up and is literally pulled down by skis down to the foot, exposing the slope. If nothing is done, then in a couple of intensive days the slope will become unusable. Skiers will finally roll the snow to holes. To prevent this from happening, snow groomers work. The principle of its work is the following. The standard configuration of the snowcat is a blade in front and a cutter in the back. Moving up the slope, the snowcat collects with a crash blade, thus pulling up the slipped snow and at the same time passing it under itself. Then the collected snow falls under the cutter, which, thanks to a system of many cutters, reminiscent of an agricultural cultivator, crushes it into a homogeneous slurry, which is transferred under the finisher. The finisher is a multi-section compactor, which forms a slope from the resulting snow mass, cutting characteristic grooves in it - the same velveteen. As a result of such work, the slope is covered with a snow cover ideal for skiing.

5. But not only this is useful snowcat. These multifunctional machines do almost all the work on the slope. Another important task of them is the leveling of snow masses obtained as a result of the operation of the snowmaking system - snow guns. As you know, they work only pointwise and after several hours of work a snow hill forms next to them, which must be spread over the surface of the slope.

So beloved by snowboarders, kickers and halfpipes, freestyle tracks are also the work of a snowcat. It is he who, with his dumps, forms a special profile of the slope. True, to create a semicircular halfpipe profile, one blade is no longer enough. To do this, use special nozzles that resemble a huge crab paw.

And what, Anatoly, - I do not let up with questions, - how much do they pay for your work?
The boy smiles.
- Well, - he says, - of course you won’t become a millionaire, but it’s quite enough for a comfortable life.
According to him, he works in Himos only during the season. The money earned is more than enough to do nothing during the warm season and live for your own pleasure.
- Do you have to work a lot during the season? - I ask again.
- Enough work. It all depends on the weather and the condition of the slopes. Sometimes we manage for four hours, and there are days when we have to work in shifts for almost a day. This usually happens at the beginning of the season when the snow cannons are active.
- Are there many cars per shift?
- We have five snowcats here. All work.

6. For conversations, imperceptibly for me, we rise to the very top, from where Himos is visible at a glance. The time is getting late. The night is already completely black, only the dim lights of the street lights are visible. Finns don't like wasting their money on lighting. I take a picture for memory and we go down.

7. I wish good luck to Anatoly in his work, and he wished me to come to them again. I awkwardly jump out of the cab into the snow. There are no steps on the snowcat. They are the caterpillars themselves, the wide plates of which are quite suitable as steps. I wave goodbye and Anatolia's snowcat hides in the distance so that by morning all the slopes of Himos will be in perfect condition.

A brief guide and a commercial offer for the preparation and operation of ski slopes by a professional team of ROO "FLGM" using specialized snow-compacting equipment

Preparation of ski slopes (general provisions)

The area specially prepared for skiing is called the SKI ROUTE. The number and nature of ascents, descents and flat areas, their alternation determine one or another degree of difficulty of the tracks.

Ski slopes are laid, as a rule, on terrain with rugged terrain, the main components of which are ascents, descents and flat areas. On the track with different terrain, the competitive speed varies from 2-3 m/s on the rises to 14-16 m/s and more on the descents.

The distance measured on the track is called DISTANCE. For example, on a 5-kilometer track, distances of various lengths can be passed - 5, 15, 50 km or more. Currently, preference is given to holding competitions, even for marathon distances, on shortened tracks, which significantly increases their entertainment and, consequently, popularity. The length of the training and competition distance, depending on the age, gender and qualifications of skiers, can be from 1-2 to 70 km or more.

Two parallel ski tracks on the track are the SKIS. Its parameters for track width, depth and distance between the centers of each track are regulated by the rules of the competition. With the machine method of preparing tracks, these parameters are set by a special ski cutter.

A group of skiers leaves a trail close to these characteristics when moving along untouched snow cover (if the ski track is laid by people).

A snow bed with one or more ski runs is a CLASSIC STYLE TRACK, the width of which during the competition must be at least 3 m.

A well-rolled, fairly hard snow sheet with a width of at least 4 m and with a ski track on the side is a FREESTYLE TRAIL.

It is recommended to measure the length of the route manually with a steel cord (tape measure) about 50 m long, electronic measuring instruments and distance meters of various designs (measuring wheel, for example). The angular and altitude characteristics of ascents and descents are determined by goniometers and altimeters.

On the map of the area, a SCHEME OF THE ROUTE is depicted, according to which its profile is built.

When building a SKI ROUTE PROFILE, they study the scale of the map, find the beginning and end of the track, the direction of movement along it, the total length, then set the highest and lowest points on the track. Given these data, the dimension of the coordinates is determined.

The ski run profile clearly shows the number, characteristics, the sequence and combination of ascents, descents, flat areas on a route laid along a rugged terrain.

The main characteristics of the relief of the ski slopes are the following indicators: the height of the ascent (descent) - H;

1) maximum lift - MS;

2) height difference - ND;

3) the sum of the height differences - TS;

4) the length of the ascent (descent) - l;

5) the average steepness of the ascent (descent) -

Height of rise (descent)- this is the vertical distance between the highest and lowest points of one ascent (descent).

Max lift is the highest elevation on the route.

Height difference is the distance between the highest and lowest points on the entire route.

The sum of the elevation changes is found by adding the height of all the slopes available on the track.

Length of ascent (descent)) is determined by the horizontal distance between the extreme points of the slope.

The average steepness of the ascent (descent) is found from the ratio of the height of the ascent (descent) to its length and is expressed according to the FIS rules as a percentage:

< α = H:L · 100%.

The preparation of the ski slopes begins long before the snow falls, so that even with a slight snow cover, skiing is safe. It is necessary to prepare in advance the tools and equipment for earthworks. The route of sufficient width is cleared from stones, remains of trees, branches, stumps, roots, branches. In agreement with the forestry services, the felling of trees and shrubs is reduced to the maximum possible minimum. The main task when choosing the terrain for the track is to preserve the forest plantations as much as possible, which create environmentally favorable natural conditions for skiing.

Depending on the degree of forest protection, the routes are divided into open and closed. A route is considered open, more than one third of which passes through an area not protected by forest, tree strips, dense bushes, terrain, buildings, etc. Preference is always given to closed trails laid in a picturesque forest area.

If the route passes through reservoirs and other water channels, reliable and durable bridges must be built through them. Before the direct entrance to the bridge, abrupt changes in the direction of movement should not be allowed, i.e. sharp turns.

Especially carefully prepare the sections of descents and turns on them. In winter, the track is constantly cleared of branches, remnants of trees.

In order for the classic style ski tracks and the snow track for skating to withstand the passage of numerous skiers, a long preliminary winter preparation. It consists primarily in the timely and regular compaction of the snow cover on the entire track with the help of special heavy machines, and in their absence - directly by skiers. Cars or skiers compact the snow, smooth out small dips and other dangerous bumps. It is extremely difficult to carry out such work on terrain that runs along ravines, hillocks, forest paths, through reservoirs and other natural obstacles. The track bed must be processed with each snow fall. If the track is compacted only before the competition, then a layer is formed under the canvas loose snow, and when passing through the first group of participants, it breaks. Compaction of the snow cover is an extremely time-consuming job, which is further complicated by the often unpredictable in time and amount of snow, and even in combination with the wind, which knocks branches off trees and clogs the track with them.

On the ski slopes for the classic style, the tracks are laid or cut special device- cutter. With a free style, a well-rolled snow sheet is prepared, and the ski track is cut from the side along the entire route so that skiers using both skating and classic modes of movement allowed in free style do not interfere with each other.

The constant preparation of existing competitive, training and walking trails is a long, many-year continuous process with a large amount of work. It is impossible to choose and prepare a decent track right away, it requires annual and constant processing.

Each skier chooses a route, taking into account preparedness and tasks.

It is also possible to prepare a sufficiently long ski run on a site of limited size, for example, at a school mini-stadium. The most rational way of laying a route in small areas of the terrain is the principle of twisting-untwisting

spiral, which allows you to lay a route with a length of 3-5 km or more, using the territory as densely as possible. And if the site is located on rough terrain with low hills, then there will be several small ups and downs on the track. Extending the route on a limited area allows and parallel way ski pads.

The rules of cross-country skiing competitions, in accordance with the requirements of the International Ski Federation, establish allowable limits terrain parameters of cross-country skiing tracks, taking into account the age, gender and sports qualifications of the participants, the scale of the competition, the length of the distance.

Competitive and training tracks for skiers of high qualification are most often laid along a highly rugged terrain.

In competitions and trainings of young skiers and amateur skiers, in mass cross-country skiing, preference is given to slightly crossed and cross-country tracks. It is on such tracks that the most massive competitions in our country are held - the Ski Track of Russia.

In physical culture and health-improving orientation, skiing mainly uses slightly crossed and flat tracks.

Pre-season course preparation.

Stones, roots, bushes, stumps and similar obstacles must be removed. Special attention should be given to areas of descents and fencing turns where necessary - also "backfilling counterslopes".

The ski run in winter requires special preparation in order to:

create and maintain an even, dense snow surface;

loosen the surface of the snow on the track if it is “frozen”;

roll and compact the top layer of snow if the track is loose (as a result of a thaw or snowfall);

remove the "wave" that occurs on the track for the classic course;

remove the longitudinal hillock that occurs on the track for skating;

to prevent the rapid melting of snow in the spring, thereby;

Snow on the ski run during its operation is subjected to the following

influences:

over time - the snow "gets old";

temperature fluctuations change depending on the weather;

changes in day and night temperatures;

humidity changes;

solar radiation

The process of preparing snow surfaces, in particular ski runs, is based on the process of compaction of snow crystals.

A common misconception is that snow is compacted by weight, much like how an asphalt paver creates a roadbed.

Surprisingly, the specific pressure on the snow of snowmobiles and snow-compacting machines (it is measured in pressure per unit area) can be less (50-100 g / sq. cm) than that of a pedestrian (from 200 and above g / sq. cm) , or for a skier-athlete skating on a “edge” ski (150-200 g / sq. cm).

Compaction of snow occurs when the snow is mixed with the help of a cutter or harrow teeth, as a result of which the snowflakes lose their “branchiness”, the snow particles are crushed and lie more compactly in the thickness. Daily fluctuations in temperature and changes in humidity make their own - the snow freezes.

Pushing and compacting the entire thickness of a snowdrift is very difficult, so the only reasonable way to compact the snow cover is to prepare each layer of fallen snow, preferably several times.

The main factors determining the quality of the preparation of the ski run:

ski slope preparation equipment

frequency of preparation of the ski run

Equipment for the preparation of ski slopes

For the preparation of ski slopes in winter, the following is used: special equipment with attachments:

light - snowmobiles with bump cutters, comb and cutter;

heavy - snow groomers with a bump cutter and a cutter.

A full cycle of works for the operation of ski slopes in winter period consists of three stages, which are performed in strict sequence one after another:

1st - snow-compacting work,

2nd - alignment of the track canvas,

3rd - cutting ski tracks.

Ratraki – these machines are ideal for preparing ski slopes. The limiting facts are the relative high cost and the need to have snow cover from 25 centimeters thick.

Snowmobiles – more a budget option. For example, our domestic snowstorm, along with which trailed equipment is used:

Ice rink – when preparing the roadbed from the first snowfall and in difficult conditions- heavy snowfall or severe thaw.

Harrow – when preparing the track bed, when there is snow on the track, it levels the track both in the longitudinal and in transverse axes, cutting snow irregularities and filling in depressions.

Cutter for the preparation of a classic track: they are both extruding (used for laying tracks on soft fresh snow) and cutting, which are used on harder, well-rolled tracks. The track must be prepared regularly. In Scandinavia, the tracks are prepared daily, despite the fact that their length in some resorts goes beyond 100 km. It is advisable to prepare the track at least three times a week, and in snowfall, every day, while it is snowing. Even if it is not snowing, but the weather is clear, frosty, the track must be prepared!

Route preparation procedure:

The following requirements are mandatory:

On the same track, snow compaction works for all three stages must be carried out completely on one day and cannot be transferred to another day.

The edges (edge ​​parts) of the tracks from the very first cycle of snow compaction at the beginning of the season and until the last one at the end of the season must be rolled up over the entire width “under cut” with growing trees, and in open areas - at the established average track width plus 1 m.

It is not allowed to leave "scallops" and unrolled sections.

Finishing and starting sections of the tracks must be rolled across the entire width with special care.

Sections of the canvas where two or more tracks are combined must be marked in advance with branches or special marking tapes.

Preparing slopes for classic style

When cutting the tracks, one should be guided by the requirements set forth in paragraph 19.3 of the Rules for Cross-Country Skiing Competitions

The track must be prepared in such a way that it is possible to control and slide the skis without the effect of lateral braking by any part of the binding. The distance between the right and left tracks should be 17 - 30 cm, measured from the middle of each track. The depth of the track should be 2 - 5 cm, even on hard snow. If 2 or more tracks are used, the distance between them should be 1 - 1.2 m, measured from the middle of each track.

It is strictly not allowed to cut the track on turns where the speed of the skiers is too high to stay on the track. In these places, the track is interrupted at least 30 meters before entering the turn and resumes at least 10 meters after the turn.

The track is cut on the right side of the track, no closer than 1 meter from its edge. In each next cycle (except for illuminated and walking tracks), the track is cut to the left of the previous one by 30 cm, but not to the left of the middle (center line) of the track. After that, cutting starts again from the extreme right position. On the slopes, the track is cut in the middle of the track.

On the illuminated track, two parallel ski tracks are cut in the forward and reverse directions. The distance between them should be 1 - 1.2 m.

For high-quality cutting of the ski track to the required depth along the entire length of the track, the load on the cutter must correspond to the snow density.

Preparing Courses for Freestyle

On pistes prepared for freestyle movement, the pistes must be at least 4 m wide. The track on downhill sections must follow the ideal line of the pistes.

All preparations are best done in the evening, in dark time- there is less chance of meeting with skiers, and most importantly, the snow will freeze overnight, the track will be of high quality and tough.

Route marking

The marking of the route should be such that the skiers have no doubt where to go next. Kilometer marks should reflect the total distance traveled along the course. If possible, each kilometer should be marked.

Forks and junctions along the route must be clearly marked and unused parts of the route must be fenced off.

Stadium for cross-country skiing

Stadium area

The optimal dimensions of the stadium area are as follows: width 50 - 75 m, length - 150 - 250 m. The stadium for cross-country skiing should have a well thought out start and finish area. The stadium should be a single functional facility, divided and controlled where necessary by gates, barriers and

marked areas. It must be prepared in such a way that: participants can pass through it several times, while the transit zone should not pass through the finish area and

THE ECONOMY OF SKI ROUTE PREPARATION IN GENERAL FEATURES

An example is a 15 km track with 3-5-10 km cuts. Width 4-5 meters - 3 harrow widths on the ridge strip and a classic track - along the edge.

• One trip - 4 hours with changing clothes, gas stations, etc. - Based on this, the employee's salary fund is formed.
• Winter in central Russia - 15 weeks on average 4 trips per week (including snowfalls and competitions) = 60 trips of 50 km (with cuts, etc.) = 3,000 km of run per winter with fuel, oil, Maintenance, repair and depreciation of the snowmobile and trailed implements.
• The life cycle of a snowmobile and implements is best calculated at 5 years.

We would like to tell you here about Krasnaya Polyana in persons and professions. Delicious and detailed. For what? So that you (and we ourselves) can understand what kind of work, for example, is invested in a ski slope at night, so that we can enjoy skiing in the morning.

When I was offered to take a shift and watch the work of snow groomers at the Rosa Khutor resort, I did not hesitate for a long time. No sooner said than done. We take 1 person, 1 car and 1 work shift.

The shift starts at 5:00 pm, followed by a lunch break at midnight and continuing until 7 am. We go to the garage, in the immediate vicinity of which there is also the house of the service itself. It was collected according to tradition from what they were going to send to the landfill, and other services of the resort did not have time.

Nearby is an impressive hangar-garage, inside of which we are heading for now. Charming "toothy" monsters are being serviced here. We get to know each other, examine the semi-dismantled snow groomers and walk around the garage, as if in a museum.

Next to the house is an old-timer Rosa - the very first snowcat that appeared here. This is a Husky, a rather small car compared to the others.

Alexander, my guide and guide to the world of "snow cats" says:
- On this machine I drove designers, surveyors and directors - this is the first snowcat of Rosa, we learned a lot on it. It has a passenger cabin, and then we hung up the cutter and changed the tracks for winter ones. He does not prepare the tracks, and the cutter only allows him to clean his own trail, if, for example, they drove guests along them.

The snowcat is a rather heavy machine, but its pressure on the snowy surface is small - about 0.05 kg / cm2. The fact is that the machine is equipped with wide caterpillars, consisting of parallel reinforced rubber bands, to which are attached powerful transverse bars - lugs and spikes - for working on icy areas. Openwork design is classic caterpillar mover with rollers, the role of which is performed by pneumatic wheels.

Alexander, on whose snowcat shines either his nickname or a quality mark received during the time of his passion for off-road vehicles and jeeping (there is no cure for this, by the way, he is still fond of it now in full), starts the engine, spends mandatory inspection and begins to tell and show.

The lugs are made of duralumin, they are protected by steel “blades”, which, in case of damage, are simply replaced. We remove the damaged ones and put on new ones, all the rest are carefully checked: it happens that the lug seems new, but is actually bent and therefore tears the tape.

The teeth are victorious (for moving on ice), but the stones do not spare them either - these are the traces of a large boulder.

But these blades protect against lateral sliding. The number of such blades depends on the driving style of the operator and the routes where he mainly works.

If there are comments on the work of the snowcat, then we write them in logbook and on the wall - for mechanics. They eliminate everything described in a day, chief mechanical engineer in the evening he walks around all the operating cars - there are 24 of them in the resort (4 of them are now in the garage for maintenance), and puts his signature.

It is interesting, but each of the operators works on his own machine, monitors it in the off-season and outside the shift, and tries not to trust anyone.

Now you can leave the car to warm up and go get the task for today's shift. We ignore the usual debriefing about something yesterday, we get our task and go to the track.

Ratraki cannot boast high speeds- 20km/h is enough to move around the resort. They do not have speedometers - the computer counts the load, how much and in what mode it was worked out (with a winch, on Idling etc.). I ask indelicately about the consumption of diesel fuel, I find out the numbers: at idle, the consumption is from 2 to 5 liters, just running without blade operation costs 15-20, with a blade and a cutter - 50-60 liters / hour.

Arranged throughout the resort filling stations- there are 4 of them. The top two are available only to winches. This allows you to minimize unnecessary rentals for refueling.

In the meantime, we are going to the ski slope. Dusk has fallen, and the slope itself, in the beams of searchlights, looks like the area after the bombardment. Well, or on lunar craters surrounded by working snow generators.

Snow guns or snow cannons not only maintain the quantity and quality of snow necessary for the operation of the slopes, but also act as a coordinate grid. Each of the guns is numbered and it is very convenient for operators to report their location, backing it up with a number from this grid.

During the operation of the snow generator, a pile of snow forms around, which must be leveled along the track.

In addition to this, any even slope in the evening, or even earlier, turns into that very lunar landscape, all the mounds and craters on which you need to either cover it with snow, or smooth it out, or cut it off.

If natural snow falls, then it must also be compacted and mixed with artificial snow, which by its nature has a completely different, not multi-beam, and therefore denser structure.

Why is it necessary - compacted snow can be used by skiers much longer, so both fresh natural and artificial snow must be mixed together, breaking up its structure and making it homogeneous and compacted.

We arrived at the place of work. Alexander puts up a special sign, hooks the winch to the anchor, informs the operational duty officer at the resort by radio (who will immediately transmit the information to the rest of the services) along with the coordinates of the place of work, and his " snow cat» easily dives on a steep slope. On a very steep slope, I tell you.

Warning sign "Snowcat on a winch"

The technology is quite complex, - explains Alexander, who can be called Sasha in our completely informal conversation to the sound of the engine. - It just seems that working with snow is easy. It is enough to ride along the slope several times, as half of the freshly fallen snow will be at its foot, so we compact it. This is done in several stages: first, you just need to level it over the entire area of ​​​​the slope, the main tool for this is the blade.

In the light of the headlights of the snowcat, all the bumps on the track are clearly visible, in addition, you can highlight the desired area with a powerful spotlight, which is turned by a handle at the top of the cabin.

Then the slope must be finally leveled, the snow compacted and milled, after which it must be allowed to settle.

Today we are preparing a slope for commercial, not for sports skiing. What is the difference? In the load that prepared snow can withstand, because much more stringent requirements are imposed on sports slopes. In order not to complicate, I will say this: each of the 100 athletes must receive the same conditions during the competition. Therefore, instead of several hours of work on such a slope, it will take a whole night of labor, associated with enormous responsibility.

The main problem of all those who are constantly filming and describing everything that flies, mows, plows, and so on, is the decrease in sensitivity to the miraculous. Well, a combine and a combine (the first comparison that came to my mind, with all due respect to agricultural and other equipment). What steep slopes can it move on? Here you somehow get lost, having got the answer.

The patency of the snowcat is simply incredible - the caterpillars practically do not slip, and the snowcat can climb a slope with a steepness of 45-50 degrees (not percent!). I won’t be able to move up this slope even on all fours - it’s checked! True, to conquer such steep slopes, you will have to use a hydraulic winch that pulls the cable synchronously with the movement of the tracks. And think what you want, but the winch here is a true work of art, the work of which can be watched endlessly. When you hang with a 12-ton machine on the same cable, the question immediately arises:
- Do the cables break and how often does it happen?

Anything can happen, even though the winch is equipped with a special sensor that warns of burrs and gusts on the cable, but force majeure still occurs. Deal with the Lost solid ground no one teaches the operator under the feet and the car sliding down, even at the courses of the officials. Therefore, every experience comes with time. The problematic section of the cable is simply cut off, and by the end of the season, about 700-800 meters of cable usually remain in the winch from 1100 meters.

But will the cabin frame protect us if we make “ears”, i.e. roll over?
All foreign equipment has completely different strength reserves, so I’m not surprised at the answer: the frame is designed for 14 tons, the weight of this model in the standard version is 12 tons plus a winch. Must endure. The operator's and passenger's seats are practically racing buckets; for the operator, the parameters of his workplace can be adjusted with anatomical accuracy. Buckled up and went to work. Huge panoramic glass with a huge margin of safety (they didn’t save here) protects the people inside if the hook with the cable or cable breaks, bursts and flies into the cabin.

Despite the outward resemblance to a bulldozer, the snowcat is controlled in a completely different way. Its blade has many degrees of freedom, which allows not only to level the snow, but also to build complex structures for parks. The back cutter is also a fairly flexible tool, its device is different for different models and manufacturers. The force, depth, direction and speed of rotation of the cutter are adjusted by the operator depending on the external conditions (type of snow, temperature) and the requirements for the track.

Do you know diesel technology, perfectly turn the steering wheel and love off-road? Are you sure that some great achievements are missing in life and are sure that driving a snowcat is no more difficult than a banal bulldozer? Regardless of the power, modification and manufacturer, this intelligent technique works as efficiently as possible only in capable hands and requires not just certain skills, but also intelligence.

The Ratrak is commanded by digital electronics, with the help of which the drive is controlled and controlled, as well as the consistency of the control modes and operation of the chassis of the machine. All information, characteristics and actual processes are reflected on the display, the operator has the opportunity to constantly monitor the equipment and machine performance indicators, and the control is carried out using a steering wheel and joystick, very similar to a computer. So if you approach the management of this equipment from the position of "scrap and sledgehammer", then repairs will be required very, very quickly.

In general, for a couple of seasons, those who take a risk and are accepted as “apprentices” will have to learn and comprehend the basics of management, understand the relief of slopes, understand the snow and navigate blindly in snowfalls. All this is real only if there is a special desire and talent for working with technology. And love for snowboarding or skiing, and mountains.

Then you will make a slope not for that uncle, but for yourself, and as a result, it will turn out not just quality product. Something much more.

After countless up and down passes, we finally finished the job. We still have to bring the neighboring slope to mind and we can have lunch, which comes at about one in the morning. And that is not always the case.

Today it is not snowing, otherwise I would have had to go to redo all the work, and the Gazex systems did not shoot, otherwise it would be necessary to clear the avalanches that they released.

What are resorts guided by when choosing snow groomers? You should not assume that some company produces cars worse, and some better: each model has its own characteristics, its own strengths, and in each case, the decision must be made taking into account all the details, and even the possibility of summer operation.

Many winter cars are also applicable in summer, being essentially all-weather tractors capable of leveling tracks, tennis and football grounds.

Each manufacturer producing snow groomers has a line consisting of three basic models that differ in engine power, dimensions and performance. The power of the engine, in turn, determines not only the steepness of the cultivated slopes, but also the amount of equipment that can be used simultaneously on the machine. After all, both the winch and the cutter also require their share of engine power, as does the blade for moving snow. As well as machines with installed passenger cabins raise lovers of off-piste skiing and tourists. In general, the snowcat is more than versatile in any conditions and circumstances.

Well, my part of the shift is over, the steepest slopes are processed and are waiting for the morning. Now you can drink tea and sleep for three hours.

Morning meets with a beautiful dawn and a couple of hours of blue sky, which will later be replaced by low unpleasant clouds. The cable car and the way home, down, from a small professional and specific, but no less cozy world. There are other laws here, since the mountains of any profession dictate certain rules, tough, serious and very honest. Mountains teach responsibility.

If at night you made a mistake on the slope, left something unfinished, missed something, then, riding during the day, you yourself can become a victim of this mistake. When you are a Krasnopolianian in the 5th (!) generation, you have a completely different attitude to your native land, the history of which was made and built by your ancestors.

Alexander "Spider" Naeltok, special thanks to you for a wonderful excursion into your world, for your professionalism. And for your attitude to work - this is best example how to love and do your job.

Maria Spiridonova