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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Idaho Falls, ID
    Posts
    1,042

    Where does one learn to or get certified to drive a snowcat?

    Is this a deal where you present a certificate, or you just know how to do it because somebody showed you how type thing? Im interested in becoming proficient at it. Any ideas/first hand experience here???

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Gnarnia
    Posts
    1,547
    Uh a snowcat skoo, duh
    #peoplethesedays

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    the Can-Utardia / LMCC VT
    Posts
    11,494
    They'll let anyone drive those things.

    usually having at least some experience on a riding mower to mow your lawn is all you need.
    Quote Originally Posted by Hohes View Post
    I couldn't give a fuck, but today I am procrastinating so TGR is my filler.
    Quote Originally Posted by skifishbum View Post
    faceshots are a powerful currency
    get paid

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    home
    Posts
    168
    I think it's pretty much like operating any heavy equipment. Just have to convince the boss that you won't tear shit up too badly.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    none
    Posts
    8,334
    Pretty sure Colorado Mountain College has a program. BA in skibumology.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Dystopia
    Posts
    21,053
    No idea, but many snow cat drivers also work dozers in the off season.

    May be easier to follow the heavy equipment training route.
    . . .

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Northern BC
    Posts
    2,596
    Many resorts seem hard up for cat drivers. I have found this to be especially true at some smaller resorts. I know up here, Hudson Bay Mountain seems to be looking for someone just about every season. Core Shot makes a good point about heavy equipment training / experience. I've known a couple farm boys who drive combines and other farm machinery in the summer / fall and transition to snow cat driving in the winter.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    C-Town
    Posts
    5,542
    What I really want to know is where I can go to become a zamboni driver.
    Quote Originally Posted by twodogs View Post
    Hey Phill, why don't you post your tax returns, here on TGR, asshole. And your birth certificate.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    the ham
    Posts
    13,370
    Try http://forums.slopegroomer.com

    When I worked at a mountain (not as a groomer/cat driver), the snowcat guys worked as excavators, logging machine ops, etc. in the summer. The senior guys trained the newbies who they hired from the pool of local heavy equipment operators. If you weren't in that club, forget it. Years later, one of my brothers worked at a different hill where they trained from scratch - no similar experience required.

    Based on that, I'd say it depends on how many applicants vs how many jobs.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    YetiMan
    Posts
    13,370
    Quote Originally Posted by Phill View Post
    What I really want to know is where I can go to become a zamboni driver.
    PM happy fun ball.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    13
    I have been a snocat operator for 4 years now. No I don't operate machinery in the summers however I have in the past. Operating experience does help. Before I started operating a cat operator told bang on the door of a grooming managers door until he gets so pissed he has no other option but to hire you. I started that way. Got a few years under my belt in Colorado then spent a few years at targhee grooming. Hardest part is getting that first few years under you then it's easy to find a job with experience.but targhee is also the kinda place who will probably never hire a first year operator. So find a smaller mountain somewhere and then move to a bigger non corporate mountain. Corporate mountain suck to groom at.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Golden, BC
    Posts
    1,356
    Usually they start as snowmakers around here.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Out to sea
    Posts
    506
    i asked my boss "can i drive a snowcat?" and she said "sure". Watched an outdated video about operating a snowmobile from the 80s and I've been driving at cat at uhhlta for four years.

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