1-Shadow jobs: snow artisans

1-Backstage jobs: the snow craftsmen
Behind the scenes at the resort

Every day, men and women work discreetly to ensure the smooth running of Les Orres resort. These are the behind-the-scenes professions, often overlooked , but without whom skiing simply wouldn't be possible. Without them, there'd be no slopes groomed in the early hours, no lifts ready to welcome you, and no safety to guarantee a smooth descent. They make sure everything runs smoothly!

Have you ever wondered who turns the slopes into a carpet of snow every night, who makes it possible to ski when the weather decides not to offer enough snow, or who shapes the snowparks for your stylish tricks? Behind the scenes or under the spotlights of the snow groomers, a team of enthusiasts make sure that every snowflake is in its place.

We take you to meet the groomers, snowmen and shapers: discreet but indispensable pros who live by the rhythm of the mountain and make your skiing day unforgettable.

The groomers
Night artists of the slopes

Have you ever noticed the moving lights on the ski area after dark? These are the snow groomers that roam the resort. They prepare the slopes for the following day.

Every night, 2 teams of around five people take it in turns to pamper the slopes. The first takes over from 5.30pm until 1am, then the second from 2.30am to 9am. A real goldsmith's job, so that everything's ready at daybreak!

In the field, different machines come into play: the "standard" machines, which follow one another to cover as much ground as possible, and the winch-equipped groomers, reserved for the steepest areas. Thanks to their anchoring system, they can move large volumes of snow. This is one of the reasons why access to the slopes is strictly forbidden outside opening hours: safety first!

At the front of the groomer, the snow plough levels out holes and bumps. At the rear, the tiller crushes hard snow to make it lighter and more homogeneous. And for the finishing touch, the famous flap smoothes it all out, giving it that ridged finish we love to feel under our skis.

And inside? It's futuristic : a screen displays snow depths in real time, thanks to a hyper-precise GPS system. Areas with little snow appear in red, those with plenty in blue. This information enables the groomers to distribute the snow as evenly as possible, so that the slopes are always at their best!

Snowfarmers
The art of making winter fall

When the snow doesn't fall, the snowmakers take over! These experts in artificial snow play an essential role in the resort. Thanks to their technical know-how and perfect knowledge of the area, they control the snow guns to guarantee optimum snow coverage, even when Mother Nature is not at her best. Constantly monitoring the weather, temperature and humidity, they orchestrate snow production with precision, often at night, so that skiers and snowboarders can enjoy snow-covered slopes from morning onwards. It's an invaluable job to ensure the season runs smoothly!

Shapers at the snowpark
Shovels, style and precision

Behind every jump, every rail and every module are the shapers! These craftsmen are the magicians who shape, sculpt and maintain the park's lines. With shovels, rakes... and a keen eye for detail, they make sure that every module is safe, well shaped and ready to offer the best sensations to riders. Often by headlamp, at first light or after closing time!

The creation of a bump begins with a pass by the snow groomer, which moves the snow and gives it its first shape. In a way, this is the main work of shaping! Then it's time for manual work: using shovels and rakes, the shapers refine the curve, adjust the height and sculpt every detail. This is real precision work, requiring experience to adapt the bump to the target level while guaranteeing maximum safety.

Once the perfect shape has been achieved, the cold of the night hardens the snow and sets the whole, like a final touch of varnish.

And behind this result, each bump often requires several hours of effort. Nothing is left to chance!

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A publication shared by Les Orres 🌲 Family ski resort │ Hautes-Alpes (@lesorres)

Whether on the slopes, in the snowpark or behind the snow cannons, there's a whole world of enthusiasts working behind the scenes to make each day's skiing the best it can be. Snow groomers, snow ploughs, shapers... they all put their hands to the snow (literally!) to provide top conditions, in complete safety. So the next time you're carving your best curve or taking off on a perfectly shaved kicker, think of the pros who make it all possible, often at dawn... or in the middle of the night!