A ride in a snow groomer

A snow groomer is a tracked machine that improves the quality of the snow so that skiers, snowboarders and other snow sports enthusiasts can enjoy the best possible downhill experience. A snow groomer has two main roles: to smooth the slopes and to protect the snow cover.

In the early years of the first ski resorts, there were no snow groomers. It was a real revolution when they arrived.

Before groomers, the snow was groomed on skis. In fact, in the early 60s, practically all the staff who worked in the resort (pisteurs, pole vaulters, gendarmes in charge of security, etc.) took the ski lifts up twice a day and then descended the slopes at right angles, one behind the other, about twenty metres wide.

In the meantime, the first snow groomers arrived, but there wasn't even one per resort and they weren't nearly as advanced as they are now. So grooming was still done by men pulling rollers 1m50 wide. The first groomers had a lot to be thankful for because their working conditions were very average: there was no heating in the groomers, they sat on uncomfortable plastic shells and the vehicles were not even equipped with window defrosters. It was in the early 80s that the first tiller cutters were fitted to snow groomers, enabling them to groom faster, over a wider area and on steeper slopes without causing avalanches.

Today's snow groomers have an articulated blade at the front to plug holes, break up bumps and transport snow. At the rear, a tiller removes the air and smoothes the snow. They are controlled by a steering wheel or joysticks and have GPS.

There aren't really any qualifications to become a groomer, but in general they have a CAP (vocational training certificate) in driving public works machinery and are trained and sworn in by the groomer manufacturers. There is a grooming licence issued by the Domaines skiables de France union, but this is not yet compulsory.

It's a demanding job, requiring night work, and is best suited to enthusiasts.

For 30 minutes, you'll get to drive a snow groomer on a specially designed circuit. After a briefing, you will take the controls of this enormous machine. This activity is available for two people and a child on their lap for €125.

👉 Informationand booking:Courchevel Aventure

Climb aboard a snow groomer for an evening ride to discover Courchevel's slopes as night falls.

This activity is accessible to children aged 4 and over and is available for groups of 4 or more for a price of €115 per person. The activity lasts an hour and includes a surprise stop. The price drops to €95 for 6 people or more.

👉Information and booking:

Courchevel Aventure

Courchevel offers you an exceptional experience: enjoy a delicious raclette with the most beautiful view of Courchevel, at night, inside a snow groomer.

You'll climb aboard this fabulous machine to climb to the top of the slopes and dine with your partner, family or friends at the top of the slopes.

On the menu for the evening: a ride in the snow groomer, a dinner including salad, charcuterie, raclette cheese and a tartelette for dessert. A glass of champagne will be served as an aperitif to celebrate this wonderful moment, followed by wine, water and soft drinks. A two-hour activity offered by Courchevel Aventure for a price of €500 for two people, €600 for three... You can experience this magical evening with 7 other people.

👉 Informationand booking :

Courchevel Aventure