THUNDER BAY — The people who run the Kamview Nordic Centre hope a big package from Germany shows up just in time for Christmas.
They're anxiously awaiting the delivery of a $375,000 state-of-the-art PistenBully snow groomer.
"It's hugely important. It's our main piece of grooming equipment here and gives us the great skiing conditions that we have at Kamview," general manager Dave Suttie said.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation contributed $150,000 toward the cost of the machine.
Suttie said the existing 14-year-old unit, also made by PistenBully, has been sold to a ski trail centre in Southern Ontario, and the proceeds will help cover the cost of its replacement.
He said the timing of the purchase is good because the supplier is set to raise its price next year.
According to Suttie, the old machine was starting to need more frequent maintenance and repairs, and the new model has numerous advantages .
"It has a longer wheelbase, it's more fuel-efficient and has a more environmentally-friendly engine," he said. "The tiller that goes on the back end and which does all the grooming and lays out the choice corduroy and pulls the tracks that people like has got more teeth and is designed to work more efficiently."
Suttie added that the cab where the operator works has been redesigned to be more comfortable, easier to operate, and provide better sight-lines for the driver.
"This is the latest unit that PistenBully makes, and it's just going to make skiing here a super-choice experience."
The Kamview Nordic Centre has 30 kilometres of trails, and has about 12,000 users annually.
