The Women of Whistler Blackcomb
Whistler Blackcomb boasts the largest team of women operators in North America.
This story is being shared in honor of International Women's Day. Written and compiled by Samantha Bird, a Lead Hand Groomer at Whistler Blackcomb and a member of PistenBully North America's Official Operator Team.
For International Women’s Day this year, we thought we would introduce you to the women’s side of the grooming department at Whistler Blackcomb. I had so much fun reaching out to the present and a few past operators to hear their stories, and I have included a snippet of their grooming careers below. Our team of women has over 275 years of combined experience, with as much as 46 years of individual experience all the way to first season operators. We all have one thing in common: how much we love the mountains and PistenBully.
We know you will be amazed by the amount of experience here: from seasoned winch operators to the first female snowcat operator in Canada, to having the only female Manager of Alpine Grooming for the 2010 Winter Games, to our current supervisors, lead hands and rookies. These ladies are all so passionate about what they do.
Each and everyone of us is hardcore, spending hours every night making the ski runs perfect for you. Storm cycles, bluebird days and the most epic sunsets and sunrises you have ever seen make this job one of kind. This is just a tiny insight into this world that happens while you are all sleeping. If you're out at night, keep an eye out for our lights moving around the mountain. We are so excited to share our world with you.
A Typical Day at Whistler Blackcomb:
A typical afternoon shift starts at 2:30pm. You'll begin with a quick meeting with the avalanche forecasters and review a plan made alongside management. Each operator is assigned to a PistenBully, and you are given a program for a certain runs. Off you go outside, where you give your machine a pre-trip inspection before heading to your program. Once in your machine, you adjust your settings to have optimal operator comfort while also leaving the best possible pass. When the machine has warmed up, it's time to go. Each run has a pattern which incorporates fall lines and how to get the snow where you need it. As a part of afternoon crew, you take your lunch break around 8pm. Soon this crew will become your second family! After lunch you finish your list of skis runs, fuel up and head to the valley to meet the midnight crew.
Midnight crew is a similar scenario. Punch in time at midnight. A meeting with the midnight supervisor and afternoon supervisor, where they make plan to get the mountain ready to open. You discuss what has been done and what is left to do. The rest of the crew has a team meeting before you head out to your assigned cat. Again, you'll do a pre-trip inspection and off you go. Midnight crew take their lunch around 5am. Before lunch, we like to get everything mid-mountain groomed. After lunch on Whistler, we head to the alpine, ready to get all terrain open as safe and as fast as possible. (Blackcomb gets their alpine on afternoon shift so that the snow has more time to firm up). At 9:30am we park our machines, shovel the snow off, check them and chat with our heroes -- the vehicle mechanics -- about any issues. Then, we go skiing! Storm nights are little different for midnights: On these nights, we have to wait for avalanche clearance before we go to some zones, and we have to provide transport for patrol so they can start their avalanche mitigation to get us open as soon as possible.
Meet The Team
Name: Samantha Bird, Official Operator for PistenBully North America
Job Title: Lead Hand Winch Cat Operator
How many years in a snowcat? 7 years
How many years at Whistler Blackcomb? 6 years
What made you become an operator? As a child my parents took me to watch the tanks train at the army camps in the UK. A snowcat is pretty much as close as you can get. My grandpa showed me the world of skiing, where I first watched a PistenBully 100 at an indoor slope at age 15. It was the coolest thing I had ever seen and I spent my teenage years watching people drive and doing ride-alongs.
What's your favourite part of the job? My favourite part of the job is probably the feeling of being in your snowcat with a beautiful sunrise and your favourite song on the stereo. Its pretty empowering. Plus, pushing huge piles of snow is awesome!
Favourite thing about PistenBully? My favourite thing about PistenBully has to be the power of the machine. Especially winching you could climb up or down anything! Shoutout to the stereo that keeps me awake all night long and the comfort in the cab.
One piece of advice for new operators? My one piece of advice for new operators would be to take your time to get the basics, and ask more experienced operators for help and advice. They are the experts and heroes that will help make you the best you can be.
Name: Lauren Basisty
Job Title: Lead Hand Winch Cat Operator
How many years in a snowcat? 3 years (4 seasons)
How many years at Whistler Blackcomb? 5 years
What made you become an operator? My mother! She always talked about how cool these machines really are and how if she was younger she would want to do that as a job. When I finally came across a job posting, I decided to give it a shot—and I’ve never looked back.
What's your favourite part of the job? The constant opportunity to learn and challenge myself with new techniques. Plus, nothing beats watching the sunrise from the cab!
Favourite thing about PistenBully? The heated seats are a game-changer, but I also love the joystick (yam) function—it makes controlling the blade so much smoother and more intuitive.
One piece of advice for new operators? Never stop asking questions, but also be patient with yourself. Skill and confidence take time to build, so enjoy the process and keep pushing yourself to improve.
Name: Melanie Parent
Job Title: Winch Cat Operator
How many years in a snowcat? 15 years
How many years at Whistler Blackcomb? 7 years
What made you become an operator? I worked at Lake Louise ski resort back in 2001, and for a couple years I was watching the groomers and thought it was the coolest job and wanted to try it. My friend Dawn (see below) started driving them so I went for ride-along with her for 95 hours to build my hours. One way to get in that job back then was to volunteer 100hrs of ride along and I got in the next year I was so stoked!!
What's your favourite part of the job? These days it is sunset views, powder grooming, and rebuilding runs. But back when I started in my 20’s it was park grooming and anything scary, like going down steep runs and trying to keep it straight. Haha!
Favourite thing about PistenBully? I have to say PistenBully tillers leave the sexiest corduroy.
One piece of advice for new operators? Ask as many questions to as many different operators as you can, especially to the really experienced ones, to get tips. That’s the best way to learn this job. I’m still learning 15 seasons later.
Name: Teagan Atherstone
Job Title: Rookie Snowcat Operator
How many years in a snowcat? Less than 1 year
How many years at Whistler Blackcomb? 4 months
What made you become an operator? I was working in snowmaking at Falls Creek and we worked closely with the grooming. After chatting with the crew every night and working with my manager who was really supportive, I did some ride-alongs and managed to get into the seat for a little bit. I ended up with a job at Whistler Blackcomb. Its a nice step being able to make the snow and then maintain it.
What's your favourite part of the job? I have been really enjoying learning how to operate a snowcat and learning from different people who have a range of experience and knowledge. Learning different tips and tricks as well as having to learn the hard way sometimes! I have worked as a snowmaker for 3 seasons so I just really enjoy working at night. Having the mountain to yourself, you get to see things that most people don’t get to see. It's really special. Taking a moment to stop and enjoy the stillness before watching the mountain wake up in morning as the sun comes up and people start to go about their days, getting ready for the public to come and enjoy what we have worked to produce!
Favourite thing about PistenBully? I like the blade handle on the new 600s. They are really nice to use and feel smooth.
One piece of advice for new operators? Give it a go! Ask questions of anyone who is willing to answer and never assume you know anything
Name: Sonia Jakal
Job Title: Senior Snowcat Operator
How many years in a snowcat? 36 years
How many years at Whistler Blackcomb? 37 years
What made you become an operator? I was always interested in all kinds of equipment and after my first summer, I was offered a job in the grooming/snowmaking department. I jumped at the chance and loved it. It also encouraged me to go to the Vancouver Island University for a certificate of heavy equipment operations, where I finished at the top of my class.
What's your favourite part of the job? There is a great amount of freedom in an operator's job,. You choose your course in the grooming of your runs, the order, the amount of pushing you can do and so on. I love being out on the mountain alone at night and just doing your thing. I'm also out there in the summer working on our runs.
Favourite thing about PistenBully? I have been an operator since the 1988/89 season where I ran 200s and 270s. That year we got our first 240. That was great -- an all-way blade and better tiller. Went on to run 260s, 280s, 300s and now 600s. In 1997, I participated in a trip to the PistenBully plant in Ulm, Germany and up to Saas-Fee in Switzerland with Wolfgang Lutz, where I demoed the new winch cat and the new stick cats. I got my new stick cat that winter and I still run sticks. Best thing ever. Over my career, I have had the privilege of running 7 new cats and as my 600 polar just rolled over 12,000 hours, I look forward to a new cat next year. Love the big blade I have now and the power of the Polars. Comfortable and easy to operate. Always at the front of new design and functions.
One piece of advice for new operators? Your biggest challenge is time management. Go look at your runs and try to visualize what you need to do. Plan out your work, don't just jump in. Keep your equipment clean and do your checks -- shovel and fuel up. Ask for tips from senior operators if you can. We do want to help. And enjoy the freedom of the job.
Name: Treena Wittig
Job Title: Lead Hand Snowcat Operator - Blackcomb
How many years in a snowcat? 30 years of grooming
How many years at Whistler Blackcomb? 35 years at Blackcomb
What made you become an operator? I made snow for 3 years then moved into grooming.
What's your favourite part of the job? My favourite part is being kinda your own boss, the beauty of the surroundings, the challenging conditions and seeing your finished product and people enjoying it.
Favourite thing about PistenBully? My favourite thing is the power of the 600!
One piece of advice for new operators? My biggest piece of advice is to go slow and do a good job (I find women are definitely better at this than guys - ha!)
Name: Roby Cran
Job Title: Winch Cat Operator
How many years in a snowcat? 27 years in a snowcat.
How many years at Whistler Blackcomb? 16 years.
What made you become an operator? Started skiing at 4 years old. Started working at ski resort at 15 years old. Worked in several departments of ski resorts for many years. Was a student at Selkirk College for Ski Resort Operations and Management at 24 yrs old. Was offered a job at Whistler Blackcomb (just Whistler at the time) at 25 years old. Travelled and was inspired to start grooming from a fellow female groomer, one of the very first at 29 yrs old.
What's your favourite part of the job? Transforming a bumpy, trashed run, pushing it up and rebuilding it and finally seeing the flat reshaped run.
Favourite thing about PistenBully? I like how the company asks our opinions and tries to accommodate the needs that we have as groomers who spend many hours in a seat.
One piece of advice for new operators? Enjoy your job. Learn from everyone. Ask questions to develop a cache in your mind of different methods to try when challenged and finally, remember that time management is key for success. No two nights are ever the same due to temperatures, snow and weather. You’ll always have another chance to try new techniques.
Name: Tracy Eln
Job Title: Supervisor and Snowcat Operator
How many years in a snowcat? 26 years
How many years at Whistler Blackcomb? 31 years
What made you become an operator? I was a lifty, then a snowmaker. Saw the machine, fell in love, had to get in one and never left.
What's your favourite part of the job? The family of people I work with.
Favourite thing about PistenBully? Favorite thing about PB is when the swag... The innovation throughout my career is impressive and a pleasure to drive.
One piece of advice for new operators? Go to school! Ha, I’d say look at others grooming, the details and flow, be humble and ask questions. Listen to music that moves you. Don't be aggressive.
Name: Raine Brooksbank
Job Title: Retired Afternoon Shift Supervisor
How many years in a snowcat? 46 years
How many years at Whistler Blackcomb? 47. Started as a lift operator.
What made you become an operator? I was intrigued about the snowcat and liked skiing behind the packed snow. I was just learning.
What's your favourite part of the job? The satisfaction or the artistic difference of rough and moguled hills to beautifully perfect groomed runs, the full moons, northern lights, the small crews of 5 or 6. We were all friends and felt like family. You also felt like you were part of the big picture and appreciated.
Favourite thing about PistenBully? PistenBully from the get go have thought of the operator as much as the result of the product. The mechanics of grooming, the stereos, the seats, visibility and temperature control to make it so comfortable.
One piece of advice for new operators? Enjoy the job, enjoy the responsibility of manicuring the mountain and how many smiles you are putting on peoples' faces. The nature, the sunsets and sunrises. Ignore the grumpy operators. It's the best job in the world.
Name: Inga Eilertsen
Job Title: Snowcat Operator
How many years in a snowcat? 1 year
How many years at Whistler Blackcomb? 1.5 years
What made you become an operator? I have always been curious about the snowcats/PistenBullys, thinking they would be a really neat machine to run. I have been working as a heavy equipment operator for over ten years, mainly running excavators, and I usually only run machines in the off-seasons, so when the opportunity came up to run a PistenBully, I jumped on it.
What's your favourite part of the job? I think my favourite part of the job is just running the machine in general. I would consider myself a rookie and I am still very amazed at what the machine can do, how the conditions change throughout the night and how you need to adapt. I enjoy the challenge this job brings and that there is endless learning. I think to become a master groomer takes many years. And I am grateful to work with a lot of very talented groomers that can give me tips and pointers along the way.
Favourite thing about PistenBully? My favourite thing about the PistenBully has to be its power and weight distribution. Maybe that’s weird, but coming from other machines, I am always amazed how the PistenBully handles in the terrain we work in. I will say out of the machines I have ran, the PistenBully is by far the most advanced and coolest machine out there!
One piece of advice for new operators? As a new operator myself, I can say that this can be quite a challenging skill to learn. You can find yourself at times frustrated but this just means you are learning, so don’t get discouraged. My best advice would be to ask questions and go for ride-alongs with experienced operators whenever you have the chance. I am really excited and stoked to work with other female operators. To see so many talented female groomers work at this resort and in a male-dominated industry has been really encouraging and motivating!
Name: Dawn Cashen
Job Title: Groomer Extraordinaire Snowcat Operator
How many years in a snowcat? 23 years
How many years at Whistler Blackcomb? 15 years at Whistler Blackcomb
What made you become an operator? I was a snowmaker at Lake Louise and snowmaking in -30 is what drove me to get out of the cold and into a warm machine. It also looked like the coolest job.
What's your favourite part of the job? So many great things about grooming. The sunsets are my favourite but rebuilding a run and skiing it with my kids is awesome. I really love the alone time in my machine listening to tunes and crushing through audiobooks.
Favourite thing about PistenBully? I love the Polar power for pushing snow, plus my favourite colour is red!
One piece of advice for new operators? No matter how long you have been grooming, never stop learning.
Name: Tara Edmonds
Job Title: Snowcat Operator
How many years in a snowcat? 18 years
How many years at Whistler Blackcomb? 13 years
What made you become an operator? I was waitressing, making just enough to get by. I was offered work running equipment for ski area development and installing ski lifts. I jumped at the opportunity. I was then offered to run snowcat at Cypress Mountain for World Cup and the Winter Games on the aerials and mogul courses.
What's your favourite part of the job? Pushing ton of snow while listening to music!
Favourite thing about PistenBully? The profession of the whole PistenBully machines. From active boom, 4.5 tonnage, tracks, the cab comfort and the yam are amazing!
One piece of advice for new operators? Ride-alongs go a long way and ask questions.
Name: Gillian Tiffin
Job Title: Retired Grooming Supervisor
How many years in a snowcat? 41 years on graveyards (midnight shift). Loved every single night
How many years at Whistler Blackcomb? 36 years
What's your favourite part of the job? My very favourite thing besides wild adventures in snow storms, incredible clear nights and constantly learning?...Knowing that I have the ability, machinery and power to change the fall lines on slopes to create a better experience for skiers. Having the understanding of how fall lines work in my favour to make moving snow easier in order to repair ski runs and ultimately protect the very expensive equipment that people work so hard to own. Just having the opportunity to operate big, sexy red machines alone in the mountains. ❤️ (and a million more reasons!)
Favourite thing about PistenBully? I love how much effort is put into the design to make the operator comfortable and happy (Those that aren't happy should give their head a shake). These machines can be adjusted to properly support almost anyone to maintain proper posture and avoid long-term negative effects of improper seat adjustment.
One piece of advice for new operators? My advice to drivers...never stop learning. 1st, 2nd and 3rd year-itis is a real pain and gets in the way of becoming a great operator. Also, if you want to find snow, just take some time over the season to watch how and where people ski/board/slide. You will learn to see how fall line affects where gravity takes people and, as a result, where snow gets deposited. Once you learn this, you will be able to figure out how to rebuild runs as you go, without making a mission of it.
