The Winter Olympics are over and the end of ski season
approaches. Those of you who are winter sports fans may not
think a lot about what happens to downhill and cross-country
trails in ski resorts during spring and summer. But what goes on
in those seasons is very important for a successful ski season
next winter and beyond, and in some places you have cows to
thank for it. Throughout the winter, ski trails are groomed to
make the snow smooth so that you and gold medalists can go fast,
but don't fall and break legs on unexpected bumps while
slaloming down the black diamond trail. Grooming is done using
snowmobiles and bigger snowcats that drag or push rakes and
rollers across the snow. While they do a great job of flattening
the snow, they unfortunately also do a great job of compacting
the soil underneath. Compact soil is difficult for plants to
grow in, and rain runs off down the mountain instead of soaking
in. The grasses and herbs then often die. Without plant cover,
the spring, summer and fall rains can