Taos Ski Valley Resort has recently made headlines with an exciting announcement in their e-newsletter: the unveiling of North America’s premier fully electric snowcat. This groundbreaking move highlights the resort’s commitment to embracing cutting-edge, eco-friendly technology.
What is a Snowcat?
For the uninitiated, a snowcat is an integral machine in maintaining mountain slopes. It serves an essential purpose in grooming the snow to ensure optimal conditions for winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling.
The Prinoth Husky eMOTION
The model taking to the slopes is the Prinoth Husky eMOTION, which boasts an impressive electric engine of 180 kW (245 hp), with a choice of either 100 kWh or 200 kWh battery capacity. The renowned Italian manufacturer, Prinoth, provides specifics on the eMOTION, such as its operational capability of up to three hours and a fast-charging feature of 100 kW DC, supplemented by a 22 kW AC charging option.
Previous Announcements and Plans
However, there seems to be a twist in the story. Prior statements from Taos Ski Valley indicated a plan to deploy a different electric snowcat, the PistenBully 100E, as disclosed in an April 2022 statement. The reasons for the switch from PistenBully to Prinoth have not been detailed, but the resort’s sustainability page currently features a “hybrid Pistenbully snowcat” boasting a 20% reduction in fuel consumption compared to traditional models, with no mention of the previously announced 100E model.
Emission Reduction and Silent Operation
Embracing the Prinoth Husky eMOTION, Taos Ski Valley Resort projects a significant decrease in emissions during snow grooming operations—around 1,100 pounds per shift. An added benefit of the electric snowcat is its quiet operation, providing a more serene mountain experience compared to its diesel counterparts.
Leadership in Sustainability
With the title of the world’s first B Corp Certified ski resort and its status as a certified carbon-neutral company, Taos Ski Valley is not new to sustainable practices. The resort already utilizes electric snowmobiles, utility vehicles, and snowblowers. On track with their eco-friendly initiatives, they have targeted achieving net zero emissions by 2030.
Aiming to lead the charge in sustainability within the winter sports industry, Taos Ski Valley Resort continues to innovate and inspire with its investment in cleaner, greener technology on the slopes.
