So You Want To Get Into Grooming?
Get some expert advice from PistenBully North America Official Operator Erika Roy and New England Regional Manager Josh Lempert.
There’s something about seeing a freshly groomed corduroy trail first thing in the morning that just hits differently. And if you’ve ever looked at a snowcat maneuvering up the mountain and thought, “I want to do that,” you’re not alone.
Becoming a groomer—aka a snowcat operator—isn’t something most people just fall into, but many desire. With the right mindset, a little patience, and a lot of passion, it’s a career that’s achievable and incredibly rewarding. Whether your dream is shaping perfect corduroy, building terrain parks, or grooming remote backcountry routes, here’s how to get started—and some insight from someone who’s been there.
START WHERE YOU CAN
Most operators don’t start in the driver’s seat of a PistenBully. Many begin in other departments, such as Lift Operations, Snowmaking, or Terrain Parks. These roles help you understand how the mountain operates and give you time to network with ops teams.
Operating requires working nights, so it’s an excellent fit for people who want to ski or snowboard during the day. Show initiative, ask questions, and clarify your interest in getting into a cat. Managers notice when someone is eager and dependable.
NETWORK LIKE YOU MEAN IT
Snow industry careers are built on relationships. Want into the grooming crew? Make friends with operators, help when possible, and learn the lingo. Don’t hesitate to ask your supervisor if you can ride along during a shift or shadow an operator. It shows initiative and helps you get familiar with the environment.
Pictured Here: Author Erika Roy riding along with her husband and fellow Official Operator Andrew Roy. Erika spent hundreds of hours in the passenger seat with Andrew before she decided to get behind the sticks for herself.
Q&A WITH JOSH LEMPERT
Josh Lempert is the New England Regional Operations Manager for PistenBully.
Tell us a bit about how you began your operating career.
Josh: Growing up in Maine, I was hooked on snowboarding in college—it changed my career trajectory. I went to Sugarloaf and straight-up asked if I could get into operating. I told them I needed to work nights to snowboard as much as possible during the day. They said I needed at least two years of mountain ops experience—so I got on the lift ops crew and snowboarded daily. From there, I got into a cat, and a couple of years later, the terrain park scene started really growing. I kind of fell into that end of operations and ended up helping to shape the parks from the ground up.
What shift in your career led you to where you are now?
Josh: I loved snowcats and snowboarding and kept pushing to stay in the industry. It was a domino effect. I never thought I’d end up working for PistenBully, but here we are.
What surprised you about the job early on?
Josh: Honestly? The hours. Sleeping in the cab, working on big builds, pushing snow in all kinds of conditions. It’s not just cruising around at 4 AM laying corduroy— it’s always changing, and it’s tough on your body.
Did you have a mentor?
Josh: Eddie Michaud. Crazy Eddie was the first park builder at Sugarloaf and the co-worker who involved me in terrain parks. He passed significant knowledge on to me from the beginning. A lot of trial and error.
What’s your most significant piece of advice to someone wanting to get in the operator's seat?
Josh: Listen to what experienced operators tell you. Pay attention. Go slow. Find a well-paying summer job to balance things out— winter grooming can be seasonal, and you need financial stability.
What is a significant highlight of your career?
Josh: A few come to mind, but Red Bull Frozen Rush at Sunday River stands out, and Fuel and Fury in Alaska—those builds were next level.
Be Patient, Be Present, and Keep Showing Up
Grooming is part art, part science, and all dedication. It takes time to earn your seat in a snowcat—but if you’re passionate about the mountains, it’s one of the most rewarding jobs out there. Looking to start your operating journey? Ask questions. Get involved, and maybe one day, we’ll see you in the driver’s seat of a PistenBully.
FOLLOW THIS CHECKLIST:
- Get a starting-level mountain operations job, whether that's Lift Operations, Terrain Parks day staff, or something similar.
- Meet your fellow mountain operations teams and treat them with respect. Remember their names, and never burn a bridge.
- If you can swing it, try to get some heavy equipment operation experience. Learning to run machinery in the summertime can be a huge plus on a resume.
- Find a mentor. We encourage you to reach out to one of our Official Operator Team members with your questions and comments to get some guidance.
- Be consistent. Sticking with a mountain or ski area for several years will give you time to learn the terrain and inner workings of operations as a whole.
- Wait your turn. Often times, you have to prove yourself worthy of learning to operate. Don't give up - Your time will come!
