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Power. Precision. Slope magic

Experience
snow groomers
in the Aletsch Arena

Name a snow groomer now and win

Experience our snow groomer up close!

Every Wednesday (Riederalp) and Thursday (Bettmeralp) from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, you now have the chance to discover one of these impressive vehicles up close, ask questions, and even step into the cabin. The offer is free of charge and runs throughout the month of February.

Staff members of Aletsch Bahnen give exciting insights into the technology, operation, and daily work on the slopes – an experience for all ages!

Don't forget to take a photo!

Location: Riederalp (at the Hohfluh chairlift) & Bettmeralp (at the sports centre)

Drop by and experience the power behind the perfectly groomed slope.

Experience a snow groomer

Bettmeralp

© aletscharena.ch / Daniel Berchtold

Technology & performance

  • Weight: up to 14 tons, which is up to 10 cars

  • Engine power: 530 hp

  • Tracks instead of wheels, so that the weight is ideally distributed / hardly sinks in the snow

Work in the snow

  • Slope grooming at night: usually between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m

  • Incline up to 100% (45 degrees) possible with winch (1,200 meters of steel cable with a pulling force of 4.5 tons)

  • Snow depth is ‘felt’: drivers sense bumps and vibrations

  • GPS and 3D snow measurement are also used: the slope is modeled with centimeter precision on every vehicle

Human & machine

  • A driver is responsible for several kilometers of piste

  • In the Aletsch Arena, there are currently 21 piste vehicle drivers, 15 of whom are on duty daily to ensure top piste quality

  • 5 mechanics and 2 snow groomer mechanic apprentices ensure the maintenance and daily availability of the vehicles

  • Aletsch Bahnen has around 60 vehicles with license plates and about the same number of equipment without plates (snow blowers, etc.)

  • This corresponds to an annual investment of around 1.3 million in the vehicles and an annual maintenance budget of approximately CHF 450,000

  • To become a piste vehicle driver, one needs training that lasts several weeks

  • The cabin comes equipped with heating, a joystick, and offers a stunning panoramic view of the Aletsch Arena

Fun facts

  • A snow groomer costs CHF 500,000 – 600,000

  • The name PistenBully is a brand name

  • Aletsch Bahnen AG follows a two-brand strategy with Prinoth and PistenBully

  • Without the snow groomers, there would be no ski operations in the morning

  • Well-groomed slopes increase safety many times over

Prize draw

Give the Snow Groomer a name and become a co-pilot

We need your help and want to give a Snow Groomer a name. It can be your own name, a friend's name or a fantasy name. One winner will be drawn from all entries.

The chosen name will be applied to a Snow Groomer by means of a sticker and will remain there officially and clearly visible for a whole year.

For the first ride of the "own" piste vehicle, the winner will be invited to join as a co-pilot.

Prize draw

Piste bully co-pilot