Pikes Peak Region Trail Finder

Groomers drive a winch cat on the slopes of Steamboat Ski Resort.  Matt Stensland, Steamboat Today

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — With a seemingly larger number of people hiking up Steamboat Ski Area at night, snowcat operators are asking people to stay clear of the winch cat.

“The danger is — to be honest — it will kill you,” Slope Maintenance Manager Frank Case said. “It will cut you right in half.”

The winch cat essentially is a groomer equipped with a powerful winch that can pull 10,000 pounds using 9/16-inch steel cable.

When a winch cats works on a run, crews connect the machine’s cable to one of the many concrete anchors located on top of the steep runs.

The cable can span the length of a ski run and is virtually invisible at night. Case said it could be deadly should a skier or hiker come in contact with the cable.

When winch cats are working, operators place signs at the top of the trail. At night, strobe lights can be seen next to the signs.

Read more about the winch cats and see a video of the cats in action.