An increasing number of resorts are offering their guests the chance to take an evening excursion in a trail-grooming tractor, also known as a ‘piste-basher’.
Sometimes these are scenic tours up to a mountain restaurant; sometimes they offer the opportunity to experience a night shift from the passenger seat. Now Aspen in Colorado have gone one further and are offering guests at one of their exclusive hotels the chance to actually drive a piste-basher – or “wrangle a snowcat”, to put it in their own lingo. The chance to “sweep the slopes” is being offered to its guests by the luxurious Little Nell, Aspen’s only 5★ ski-in/ski-out hotel, in a oneon-one, three-hour session with an expert pistebasher driving instructor.
During this session, guests take control of the mighty machine and discover first-hand how to operate the snowcat and groom the mountain at the day’s end. The basher in question is a state-of-the-art Prinoth Bison, a Stage IV/Tier 4 snowcat – likened to a cross between a Lamborghini and an F-15 fighter jet, with wrap-around windows for ultimate visibility.
Up to two participants are allowed per outing who will each need to sign a waiver to ride in or drive the cat. Over-18s can drive and there is no need for a driver’s licence, plus children aged five and up can ride with an adult. The three-hour Snowcat Academy session costs $875 (approx. £618). Until 2 April 2016, room rates at The Little Nell are from $550 (approx. £388) per room/night. thelittlenell.com
