The "Powder Maker" is an attachment put on behind the Snow-Cat, a.k.a. "Groomer"
a.k.a. "Packer", that generates a surface finish different than the traditional "corduroy",
featuring a loose "Powder-like" granular top coat.
Corduroy or the very fine ridged groomed surface we're usually used to has become
sort of the standard of the industry, so you really don't see that much reference to
the Powder Maker any more.
I saw that on the list too, first time in a long time and immediately thought
that they're wanting to break up the base if they think it's getting too compacted.
They might also be thinking about keeping it loose so they can recover it from a
weather "event" that might be coming up. P'tit Bonheur, right, for beginners
and/or those that just like things smooooth.
If I understand it correctly, and from recollection, the term Powder Maker can be
associated with 2 different "Old School" designs.
The first is basically like dragging a big chain-link fence behind the Snow-Cat.
It would be the width of the machine and then say, about 6 feet out behind.
The weight of the linked chain being pulled behind the machine over the surface
it has just driven over turns the whole track into a fine pulverized granular "snow".
The second I've heard referred to as a "powdermaker" is a large drum with many, many
bevel edged holes in it, rather like a cheese grater, on top of which it may also have
an equal number of protruding spikes, all of which serve to break up the surface into
a fine particle.
In the "old days", I even recall seeing the Chain pulled behind the Drum for maximum effect.
I'm not a technical expert on the current mechanical advancements in these designs,
what I know is from a Layman's observations, a keen interest in all things mechanical
and from getting kicked off the Mountain by the Patrol after last run, for hanging around to
talk to the Mountain Crews briefly to ask questions, thank them, and take pic's, lol!
(see links)
I think it would be really interesting to see if we can get permission to do a "behind
the scenes" look at how they do it now. Engineers are moving forward with technologies
here just as quickly as in Automotive or even Aviation, so the details are bound to be
changing to make things more efficient with a higher quality "Product".
Good Question.
I'll put links here and add more as I go through the archives.
start with:
http://alturl.com/j7ses
Here are 3 pic's from our Mountain Equipment
"Guys like this stuff" Archive...
These are from our equipment archives. This first one shows the
whole machine so you can put the second one, a close-up,
in perspective.
- www.tremblant360.com photo. All rights reserved.
- Grooming.Equipment.TG.jpg (172.17 KiB) Viewed 7045 times
Close-up from above.
Here we can see a Drum with a whole bunch of nasty looking teeth.
Behind it, are a comb-like curtain with much smaller cerated teeth.
We're thinking this is the modern design "Powder Maker".
- www.tremblant360.com photo. All rights reserved.
- Powder Maker.CloseUp.TG.jpg (188.66 KiB) Viewed 7045 times
Basically same as above, different angle, still nasty teeth very
much capable of chewing up "Hardpack" a.k.a. "ice".
Thinking that these teeth will be made from a very hard grade of
machine tool steel so that they can withstand immense force.
- www.tremblant360.com photo. All rights reserved.
- Pinroth.Attachment.TG.jpg (158.67 KiB) Viewed 7045 times
We'll add this to the "Tremblant Geographic" link above
for others who like, or want to know about this stuff too.
.
Understanding Trail Counts - http://alturl.com/n54py