SAM Magazine—Zoetermeer, Netherlands, April 10, 2024—Xelom has unveiled an all-electric groomer at SnowWorld Zoetermeer, a Dutch indoor snowsports center located near Rotterdam and The Hague.

Equipped with a 300 kWh battery, the Snow Cat electric groomer can run five hours on a single charge and generate 27,600 Nm (20,365 foot pounds) of torque, according to Xelom, an Italian manufacturer of zero emissions vehicles including tracked and trackless electric all-terrain dust-suppression and agricultural equipment. The groomer was produced in partnership with snowmaking manufacturer TechnoAlpin.

“The Snow Cat is characterized by minimal maintenance requirements, operational efficiency, and a reduced environmental footprint,” according to a Xelom press release. “It is the zero-emission solution for snow grooming and particularly suitable for indoor areas such as ski halls. It emits very little heat during operation and contributes to significant energy savings for the facility.”

Product features include an ergonomically designed tilting cabin with touchscreen and joystick controls, heated and tinted windows, LED work lights, and a Bluetooth-enabled sound system. 

The groomer is equipped with electro-hydraulic track tensioning and a hinged rear.  

Its blade is more than 14.5 feet when open, and its tiller is roughly 17 feet when open. The machine connects to a 150 kW fast-charging system for a charging time of approximately two hours.

In January 2024, Taos Ski Valley, N.M., took delivery of a Prinoth Husky E-Motion, the first battery-powered electric snowcat in North America. The Italian-made Prinoth Husky E-Motion features a 180 kW (245 hp) motor, the option of either a 100 or 200 kWh battery, a run time of up to three hours, and 100 kW fast-charging system. Taos Ski Valley also operates a PistenBully 600 E+ diesel-electric hybrid groomer.

Report by Bob Curley.

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