For us, it’s a bit early in the morning, but that’s nothing compared to the time when Vincent and Stéphane start… Today, it’s 2 o’clock. Ouch, we swallow our tiredness, our motivation is there, we’re ready to discover this job that is unknown to many of us, including you perhaps…
Come on, follow us!
The dama what?
Standing still in front of us, the snow groomer looks colossal, impressive with its big caterpillar tracks… So this is the machine that grooms the slopes. But what does it actually do? Well, the snow groomer improves the snow so that you, the snow lovers, can enjoy your favourite board sports: skiing, snowboarding… in complete safety.
Safety is an important point in this business, because the surface of the piste must be beyond reproach. The slightest imperfection can send you flying into the trees at full speed.
So it’s safe to say that your life is in the hands of the groomers!
After a few hesitations and a few difficulties getting on, we’re settled in and ready for a unique experience!
A passion above all else
The interior is comfortable, with heating and radio just like in a conventional car. We start chatting and Vincent tells us that this is his 5th season at Monts Jura. His dream was to be a groomer. He applied to all the stations in France, but it was Monts Jura that chose him. Since then, he’s been happy to come back every year. There’s no specific training or study to become a snow groomer: you just learn to drive the machine and that’s it. Tampering is a passion! Stéphane, 36, is living proof of that. His father was a tamper before him and passed on his love of the trade to him. He is now in his 16th year.
Well-orchestrated work
The Monts Jura resort has 11 snow groomers, spread across the different ski areas. Even the biggest resorts in the Alps envy this fine record. At the Col de la Faucille, there are three: a small groomer, a standard-sized groomer and a groomer with a winch.
Vincent drives the standard groomer and Stéphane the winch groomer. The standard groomer will groom green and blue slopes, while the winch groomer will work on steeper slopes such as reds and blacks. The winch is used to tow the groomer to prevent it from turning over while working. Vincent and Stéphane each have their own route to take, and will cross paths on certain occasions. They tackle the slopes for 7 hours, taking regular breaks. Today it will be from 2am to 9am. But it’s not always like that. In fact, their working hours depend on Mother Nature: if the weather is mild, they ski from 5pm to 1am. If it snows in the morning, as is the case today, they work from 1am to pack the snow and make the slopes passable.
The slopes and the silence are ours…
With Vincent, then Stéphane (because yes, we tried out two snow groomers), we climbed up and down the slopes and through the forests sprinkled with white. Then, as we reached the Petit Mont Rond, we watched the sunrise! The view of Mont Blanc is incredible! And to think that they see it almost every day. We can’t help stopping, taking a photo, watching and listening to the silence… It’s 7.30am and we’re the kings of the world.
We get back to work, grooming more and more runs. At the turn of a descent, we come across a hiker on snowshoes. But the resort isn’t open, so we should be alone… Stéphane explains to us that it’s commonplace, not to say daily, to see skiers or hikers on the slopes in the morning or evening, unaware of the danger that awaits them… Take note, you backpackers, you’re risking your lives and preventing the groomers from doing their job!
It’s 9 a.m., our eyes full of stars, and we head back to the hangar where the machines are parked, grateful to have had a moment out of time, away from everything and everyone. We say goodbye to our two colleagues for a morning, thanking them a thousand times over for the opportunity they have given us, and wishing them a good night too.
Little by little, the Col de la Faucille comes to life, skiers wait at the ski lifts, children’s cries can be heard… Everyone is oblivious to the work they accomplished just a few hours ago…
When you come to the resort, spare a thought for the men behind the scenes who contribute to your great runs! Without them, none of this would be possible. Thank you!
Thematics
