With winter settling in, these machines started working a few weeks ago at downhill and cross-country ski areas. As an avid cross-country skier, I appreciate how they make the sport more enjoyable and faster than it was decades ago. While snowmobiles have groomed trails and set traditional tracks for many years, the wide and firmly packed trails needed for skate skiing would not be possible without these machines.
Two manufacturers compete in this market: Kässbohrer and Prinoth. Kässbohrer is a German company with a long history, mentioned recently in Johannes Dutch’s Truck Show Outtake 1964 Bűssing, and by Paul in Bus Stop Classic: 1958 Kässbohrer Setra Continental . In addition to the trailers and buses covered, the company makes a line of snow groomers, almost generically known as “Pisten Bullys”.
The Canmore Nordic centre operates several 400 series Pisten Bullys, and recently acquired a Prinoth Bison (first two photos). Prinoth is an Italian company located in Sterzing, South Tyrol, founded in 1951 by Ernesto Prinoth, who competed in a handful of Formula 1 races in the early 1960s. Prinoth produced a variety of snowcat type vehicles, and expanded its range by acquiring Canadian manufacturer Camso (formerly Bombardier).
The depicted Prinoth “Bison” and the Pisten Bully 400 are very closely matched. The Bison has a Caterpillar C9.3 9.3 liter engine producing 406 HP and 1726 Nm torque, while the Bully 400 has a Cummins QSL9 8.9 liter engine producing 405 (1 less!) PS (HP) and 1627 Nm torque. Weight of both vehicles is in the 9800 kg range. Kässbohrer’s website claims over 60% world market share for this type of equipment.
I had the privilege of riding along in the Prinoth Bison. An impressive piece of machinery!
Nice! Talk about some serious snow machines. I would love to drive one!
I’ve been a PistenBully fan for many years, even though I’m not a skate skier; The name alone is a winner, and since I don’t often ski off-piste, I appreciate all the grooming help I can get, though a few inches of fresh powder on top are always fun. But first I’d heard of Prinoth. I think the Kassbohrer models are more common in the US, at least the West. A little Googling, and I found that one can buy diecast scale models of both marques.
I groom our city park’s skate lanes with a Tidd Tech groomer pulled by a snowmobile. Works pretty well for what it is, just need some decent snow to get it out. Alas, it’s still early in the season here.
Where is here? What cool park has groomed skate lanes? That’s awesome.
We actually have two parks/rec areas here (Midland, Michigan) that groom for skate skiing (and classic), and several other groomed ski areas within a couple hours’ drive. The one caveat to the two local trails is that they allow hikers year round, so there are some footprints in the skate lanes.
Our local area at Meissner Sno-Park has the little brother, a Pisten Bully 100 for skate and classic.