A Stronger Fleet for a Stronger Season: Meet Homewood’s New PistenBully Snowcats
This season, our Mountain Operations team is stepping into winter with two powerful new additions to the grooming fleet: the PistenBully 600 E+ and the PistenBully 400 Winch Cat. These machines represent the next evolution in our efforts to deliver consistent, high-quality snow surfaces across the mountain, and they’re already making a difference in how we prepare for the season ahead.
Snowcats may not be the first thing guests see when they arrive, but they are the backbone of our winter operations. Every smooth morning corduroy, every prepared run, every safe and predictable surface begins long before first chair, under the lights, with the hum of these machines climbing the mountain.
This year, that groundwork got an important upgrade.
PistenBully 600 E+: Power Meets Efficiency
The 600 E+ is not just another grooming machine. It’s one of the most advanced, environmentally forward snowcats on the market. The “E+” stands for efficiency, and this model uses a diesel-electric hybrid system that delivers more pushing power while reducing emissions and fuel consumption.
In practical terms, that means:
- Smoother, more consistent grooming
• Greater torque for rebuilding terrain and pushing deep snow
• Lower environmental impact
• Quieter operation during early morning and late-night shifts
PistenBully 400 Winch Cat: Confidence on the Steeps
Homewood’s terrain has its fair share of steep faces and tricky rolls, and that’s where the PistenBully 400 Winch Cat shines.
Equipped with a high-tension winch system, this cat anchors itself to secure points and uses thousands of pounds of controlled pull to groom steep slopes evenly. The winch cable allows operators to:
- Create consistent grooming on challenging terrain
• Reduce machine slippage
• Maintain snow depth on steeper grades
• Prepare surfaces with precision, even in variable snow
The result is smoother skiing in areas that traditionally require extra care, plus improved safety for both operators and guests.
A Better Ride Awaits
As we look ahead to the heart of winter, these snowcats will play a central role in preparing and maintaining the surfaces our skiers and riders enjoy every day. Whether you’re carving corduroy on a crisp morning, riding laps after a storm, or exploring your favorite lines on Ellis Peak, the 600 E+ and 400 Winch Cat will be working behind the scenes to make every run better.
We’re excited to introduce them to the fleet and even more excited for you to feel the difference when the snow arrives.
Here’s to a smoother, stronger season at Homewood.
— The Homewood Mountain Operations Team