von Zeit.los Magazin
22 January 2024
The art of trail grooming
On track
Snow-safe and surrounded by impressive mountain peaks, the region of Seefeld – Tyrol's high plateau offers the perfect setting for an extensive and varied cross-country skiing area. Behind the daily freshly groomed and perfectly prepared trails lies a wealth of know-how and a team that is on duty around the clock.
The Art of Grooming Cross-Country Ski Trails: Behind the Scenes
Where the valley opens up to a vast high plateau and the snowy landscape glitters in the sunlight between impressive mountain peaks, skaters and classic cross-country skiers make their rounds in wintertime. Not only do 245 perfectly groomed kilometers of tracks attract numerous recreational athletes to the region, but they also serve as venues for sporting competitions. Wide and world-class sections for skating or classic style, as well as for the ever-popular biathlon, offer cross-country skiers a true eldorado of opportunities. From the cozy enjoyment round through the Leutascher high valley to professional top sports in Arena365, the repertoire of the snow-sure high plateau varies greatly. The extensive cross-country skiing area connects the towns of the region and boasts freshly groomed trails every day.
From know-how and commitment: The masters of trail grooming in action
Behind this idyllic cross-country skiing paradise is a wealth of know-how and a team that works with great dedication and in all weather conditions to ensure that the trails are available in flawless condition for both professional and recreational athletes. "This starts already in October with the mulching of the trails and various construction works," says Wolfgang Kratzer, trail master and deputy head of the Technical Center Seefeld. "Bridges over streams and ponds that were taken down after the season in spring are re-erected in autumn, and the trail signage is put back up. From November, we then begin preparing the snow cannons, which operate at outdoor temperatures below minus four degrees," explains the experienced trail master.
As soon as the temperatures allow for the use of snow cannons, snow is produced in larger quantities and the large snow piles are moved onto the trails using machinery. Seven Pistenbully 100 and one Prinoth Bison are available to the team responsible for the professional grooming of the trails. Because groomed trails are akin to a science. "It is important for the longevity of the trail that the first layer on the ground freezes very well. The correct layer structure plays a crucial role in the quality and durability of a trail," says Kratzer.
It is important for the longevity of the ski track that the first layer at the bottom is very well frozen. The proper layering structure plays a crucial role in the quality and durability of a ski track.
Wolfgang Kratzer
As with alpine ski slopes, it is important that the slopes have time to set overnight. This process, known as "sintering" – actually a procedure from metal processing – means that the snow crystals fuse through mutual contact and release interfacial energy in the process. This hardens the snow and cools it down. The closer the temperature is to zero degrees, the better the snow sinters. This process takes time, which is why, after preparing the slopes, a resting period of about eight hours is typically necessary. "For this reason, our eight drivers go out with the grooming plates after the slopes are closed, so that the tracks have time to set overnight," explains Kratzer, also addressing the fact that freshly groomed tracks do not fare well if they are used in the hours following preparation. "If we find cross-country skiers on the track after closing time, we kindly ask you to finish skiing outside of opening hours."
Perfect Timing and Flexibility: The Secret of Trail Grooming Revealed
Basically, the best time for preparation is just before freezing point. In dry weather, the crew starts working on the trails around 5:30 PM and usually works until about 8 PM. "When the Nachtloipe A1 is operating in Seefeld from Monday to Friday from 5 PM to 9 PM, our drivers groom the trail afterwards. As days get longer in spring, we start later accordingly," says the trail master. The decision on when the optimal preparation time is ultimately depends on several factors: Is the snow dry or wet? Will it cool down or warm up in the next few hours? Will there be precipitation or not? "With fresh snow overnight, there isn't time for sintering, which affects the stability and durability of the trail. If larger amounts of fresh snow are expected, the crew is on duty around the clock to transport and prepare the loose fresh snow," the trail master expresses his gratitude towards his team, which must be exceedingly flexible and ready to work during the winter months.
Even though the Seefeld region is considered snow-safe, the first snow at the beginning of the most beautiful season sometimes takes a while to arrive. For Nordic competition preparation, the resource-efficient Snowfarming project in Leutasch guarantees, if temperatures and conditions allow, the first training track of the season as early as mid-November. “The snow is produced in the winter before and is covered with wood chips in a large pile. This way, the snow cools itself under the layer of wood chips, and is uncovered in autumn. As soon as the weather allows it in mid-November, it is moved to the so-called Snowfarming track,” explains Kratzer how this project, successfully applied in Scandinavia and Davos, also ensures an early season start in the Seefeld region.
Perfectly prepared
The cross-country ski trails on the high plateau are specially groomed and perfectly prepared for skating and classic skiing every day. The trails are in operation daily from 9 AM to 4:30 PM unless otherwise stated. In Seefeld, the night trail A1 is also illuminated with floodlights from Monday to Friday from 5 PM to 9 PM. In 14 establishments across the high plateau, you can conveniently rent cross-country skiing equipment. The trail ticket also serves as a bus ticket throughout the entire high plateau. And for those looking for some relaxation afterward, the best wellness facilities in the region are all around.
You can find the trail report for the Seefeld region here
And for those who still want more insights into the art of trail grooming, can here quench their thirst for knowledge.
The zeit.los magazine writes the most beautiful stories of Tyrol's high plateau: about its people, unique places and all the adventures you can experience at 1,200 meters. The magazine is published 2x a year - in summer and winter - and is available for you to pick up.
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