How does mastication affect skiing?

Mastication is essentially the process of clearing out dense brush, low branches, deadfall, and buildup across the slopes. It’s not glamorous, and it’s certainly not the kind of work you’ll find highlighted on a resort poster. But for skiers and riders, its impact is unmistakable. By smoothing out the terrain and removing years of accumulated undergrowth, we’re able to create surfaces that capture snow more effectively and build early-season coverage with more consistency. 

The difference becomes most obvious when winter arrives. Snow settles more evenly; bases form faster, and areas that historically took longer to open are suddenly ready much sooner. What used to be uneven, brushy patches become skiable lines with clean flow. Guests often comment that the mountain just “feels better” early in the season—mastication is a major reason why. 

This year’s work stretched across multiple key sections of the mountain. Crews moved efficiently down runs and under lift lines, clearing the kind of debris that has a big impact on snowpack formation but often goes unnoticed once the season is in full swing. Even small improvements in how the ground sits beneath the snow can translate into smoother turns, fewer surprises underfoot, and more options for exploring the mountain. 

One of the biggest benefits is how mastication works hand in hand with snowmaking. When the surface is clean and level, every flake, whether from the sky or from our DEMACLENKO snow fans sticks more effectively. The mountain builds coverage faster, holds it longer, and offers more reliable conditions throughout early winter. It’s a quiet piece of infrastructure, but it plays an outsized role in getting people skiing as early as possible. 

The work begins shortly after the previous season wraps and continues steadily through summer and fall. It requires specialized equipment, careful planning, and an understanding of how each section of the mountain behaves once the snow arrives. The effort is big, but so are the rewards: better terrain, stronger snowpack, and a mountain that opens more terrain earlier than it ever could without this work. 

When you’re out on the slopes this season, you may notice how open the glades feel, how smooth the transitions are, or how quickly coverage built after just a few storms. Those are the subtle signs of mastication at work months of preparation hidden beneath the winter surface, all designed to give you the best possible skiing experience from day one. 

See you out there.
— The Homewood Mountain Resort Team