INTO THE VOID
As skiers at Big Sky Resort, 45 miles south of Bozeman, Montana, finish their last runs of the day, snowcat operators arrive to work. Their night begins with the maintenance of machines that seem like something from a science fiction film. Then they drive into the darkness spanning thousands of acres of terrain at this massive resort that covers three mountains. Working through the night, the staff move snow around the mountain and smooth it to perfection, finishing by sunrise so the ski patrol can begin their rounds to open skiing for the day.
It can be a dangerous job. These are massive and powerful machines with sensitive controls. The maintenance shop echoes with stories of people driving off cliffs, into trees or succumbing to vertigo during white-out blizzards. Heavy cables, used to winch the cats up steep slopes, can whip through the air fast enough to sever limbs if not used precisely.
They do it because they love it. Snowcat operators often come from the ranks of farmers and construction workers who are used to working alone with heavy equipment. They have the necessary skills to solve problems and fix equipment when they risk being stranded miles from home base. They’re out there, in the void, while you were sleeping.
A snowcat begins grooming in the late afternoon just as the mountain is closing operations for the day.
Big Sky Resort mountain operations crew prepare for the evening shift.
Snowcats are housed in a large shop during repairs and maintenance.
Snowcat operators and maintenance staff discuss the status of equipment.
Big Sky Resort grooming manager Rob Wilke inspects the tracks of a snowcat prior to an evening grooming shift.
Lights from a snowcat glow in blowing snow from a blizzard.
Rob Wilke connects a cable to the winch of a snowcat. These cables can cause serious injury if not connected carefully.
A groomer buffs the snow in the base area of Big Sky Resort.
Rob Wilke uses a winch and cable to assist with traction while he grooms a steep slope.
Fresh corduroy sets up in the near-freezing temperatures after a pass by the groomers.