Former SAM technical editor Nils Ericksen wrote an article called “Over-Snow Vehicles — a Survey” in the Spring 1979 issue of SAM, which was the first iteration of what we now call the “Groomer Report,” published annually in the March issue of the magazine. 

Why did SAM start this annual clearinghouse of over-snow vehicles in 1979? Because the burgeoning market was loaded with options, so the need was clear. “Being editors of an up-beat publication,” Ericksen wrote, “we at SAM decided the time has come for a summary of what’s currently available to the (hopefully, not-too-confused) area operator.”

For example, the European Pisten-Bully (hyphenated back then), along with Thiokol, Bombardier, Tucker, Miller, and White, were part of a new era of hydrostatic machines that emerged, “not just in design but in gargantuan price tags,” said Ericksen. “Forty thousand dollars for one piece of rolling stock seemed incomprehensible. 

“Still,” he wrote, “area operators soon learned that it was worth the bucks to be able to groom uphill as well as down.”

Prinoth was about to enter the market, intending to “offer various models of European origin for the next season.” Tucker Sno-Cats had 32 different models to choose from. The company is still manufacturing over-snow vehicles—and continues to call them that. The White Trail Boss was described as “an excellent application of an already proven mid-west farm tractor.” With four-wheel drive and giant rubber tires, it was lauded for its great traction and climbing ability.

The grid that presented technical data for 21 different vehicles included standard info like length, width, weight, and even top speed (the Ski Dozer SV252 topped out at a whopping 21.5 mph). In the explanation of the “fuel consumption” category, Ericksen said, “Most of these figures are the text-book type. Your best bet is ‘ask a man who owns one.’” Tracking gallons-per-hour was clearly not an exact science back then.

A lot has changed in 47 years. What hasn’t is SAM’s aim to keep you informed of the latest in over-snow vehicle technology, which you’ll find on page 42.