Industry News
Have you ever wondered how ski resort trails are mowed in the summer? Well, most ski resorts mow most of their terrain using either tractors or snowcats with mower attachments on the front.
At Mad River Glen in Waitsfield, Vermont, the mowing is done a little bit differently. While some of the beginner and intermediate terrain is mowed by tractor, the majority of the trails are just too steep and rocky to mow with machines. This means that vast areas of the terrain have to be mowed by hand. The mow crew uses scythes in order to cut down all of the brush (ferns, bushes, grass etc.) on the trails. They work in a line, shoulder to shoulder, going from the bottom to the top of the trail until the end of the day when they ride the chairlift back down.
This year, the Mad River Glen mow crew will be working from September 9 to September 20, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day. If that sounds like a really long time to cut grass, don’t worry because there are many breaks in between for food, water, and rest.
On September 20, all members of the mow crew will be awarded with a season pass for skiing for the upcoming winter, along with some supplementary money for their efforts. Joining the mow crew is a pretty amazing opportunity because it allows you to make friends to ski with during the upcoming ski season, while also learning the ins and outs of all the terrain while it isn’t covered in snow.
If this sounds like a fun way for you to earn your season pass at Mad River Glen, visit the resort website and sign up.
