As skiers and snowboards lay their heads down on a pillow at night, their dreams are filled with deep days, powder turns, sending it, bluebird days, parking lot grilling, and crisp, carvable corduroy. No, not the pants your grandpa won’t stop wearing. We’re talking about those fresh lines in the snow for your edges to hum through.
Unlike the gift of powder that comes effortlessly cascading from the sky on those sacred nights, corduroy requires a bit more elbow (and axel) grease as it’s created through the hard work of a grooming team. Each night as our heads hit the pillows, the groomers are up hitting the slopes, checking their machine’s oil, collecting a trail list, and ascending the mountain under the moonlight. Each flick of the controls raises and digs the blade, moving snow and shaping the trails as the tiller follows in line behind, combing corduroy so smooth and straight it’ll make your grandparents iron jealous.
Like a pack of lions and lionesses headed out for a night hunt, these cats hit the trails by moonlight on a mission. As skiers and snowboarders ride the trails by day, it’s the job of the groomers to push the snow back up to where it needs to be, maintain the snowpack, and lay down those fresh lines in the snow that we all love to rip.
Upon one of these nightly outings, we were lucky enough to catch a ride in the snowcats, a Prinoth Leitwolf and a Prinoth Bison for those of you hip to felinology, and watch two pros manipulate the snow like a large knife through butter.
Enter Judy Kaczor and Miranda Metivier. Stratton’s Grooming Manager, and newest Slope Groomer. These women were able to shed an amazing amount of knowledge, like different cat speeds for different snowpacks; things I’ve never thought about in 20 years of being on the mountain, in just a few passes of Mike’s Way.
“Tonight is what we call hero snow” says Miranda. “It’s almost impossible to mess up, it takes hardly any blading, it’s soft enough to push around, and it sets up as perfect corduroy coming out of the tiller.” We gained all these grooming insights and more, through a few laps in the cat with these two highly talented women.
Judy Kaczor
What’s your current position at Stratton Mountain?
Grooming Manager
What was your first position ever held at Stratton?
Slope Groomer II
What got you into grooming and what do you enjoy most about it?
I went to college straight out of high school for Ski Area Management. I’ve always had a passion for snowboarding and wanted to work on a mountain. I initially wasn’t even going to go into grooming, but it was suggested I try it during my internship at Boyne Highlands in Michigan. I gave it a go for a season, and I was hooked! My favorite part is being in solitude. I can throw on some tunes or a podcast and go to work. It’s a very relaxing environment with the best office view.
What’s your biggest piece of advice for someone looking to get into the same field as you?
Apply and give it a try. Keep trying. Having some heavy machinery experience is always something mountains are looking for when they are looking for rookie groomers. If you have a passion for the ski industry that’s a major plus too! Going to college helped give me an “in” but that’s not something everyone has to do.
What was the biggest challenge, or most intimidating factor you faced when entering your current position?
Being the only woman managing a group of rugged men was a little intimidating at first. They are a great group of guys to work with though and keep the shifts fun and interesting!
What does your day to do responsibilities look like?
On a typical day, I have a meeting with the rest of Stratton’s Mountain Ops Team and discuss our grooming plan for the upcoming shift. After the plan is set, I do the paperwork for my crew so they can have their assignments for the day/night. I finish out the rest of my night out on the mountain with my crew laying down sick corduroy for our guests.
Favorite trail to lay down fresh corduroy on?
That’s a tough one. Probably Upper Standard. There’s always a lot of snow to pull off the edges from the skiers and it has a great view overlooking the valley.
Sunrise grooming? Or sunset?
Always sunset! The best spot for a view is the top of Mike’s Way.
What do you do in the off-season?
I’m typically out mowing the mountain in the summer in our outfitted snowcat that has a mower on the front or in our Aebi tractor.
Favorite hobby outside of work?
I have 3 dogs that I love spending time with. If I’m not hiking with them, I’m out exploring New England with family on a typical weekend.
Miranda Metivier
What’s your current position at Stratton Mountain?
The current position I have at Stratton Mountain is Groomer, Slope Maintenance.
What was your first position ever held at Stratton?
This is the first job I have held at Stratton Mountain.
What got you into grooming and what do you enjoy most about it?
I have been skiing since I was 4 years old and have been enjoying the slopes in southern Vermont ever since. About 4 years ago I was able to go on a ride in one of the groomers with my stepdad, Chris, and he showed me how exciting it was to be able to operate the machine and groom the trails. I like the independence of operating the machine. Taking the snow on the trails at the end of the day and turning it back into what I would want to ski on
What’s your biggest piece of advice for someone looking to get into the same field as you?
I would tell them to go for it. But also tell them they should make sure they are able to pay attention to detail. There are a lot of moving parts to the job, and a lot to remember as you’re on your own in the cat.
What was the biggest challenge, or most intimidating factor you faced when entering your current position?
I felt pretty confident about starting the job, but one challenge I had was learning all of the trails.
What does your day to do responsibilities look like?
My day-to-day responsibilities include warming up the machine, checking oil, collecting the trail sheet, grooming the trails, completing my list and helping whoever might not be done. After my rounds I head back to the shop to fuel up, park and plugin my cat, submit the completed list and markdown anything machine-related that needs attention.
Sunrise grooming? Or sunset?
I like them both equally!
What do you do in the off-season?
During the off-season, I work with my horses, training and exercising them.
Favorite hobby outside of work?
My favorite hobbies and activities outside of work are skiing, swimming, riding horses, making art, and going on adventures with friends!
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Posted March 30, 2022. Words by Andrew Kimiecik. Photos by Zachary Gould.