Test drive in the snow: The electric snow groomer impresses in Oberhof!

Test drive in the snow: The electric snow groomer impresses in Oberhof!

June 30, 2025 will bring a breath of fresh air to Oberhof, where summer work is already underway on the snow-covered trails. A very special prototype is being tested here: the Pistenbully 100 E, an electric snow groomer from Kässbohrer that is not yet available for purchase. The Erlkönig has exciting technical properties that could revolutionize winter sports.

With an expected price of 450,000 euros and a market-ready introduction in two years, this snow groomer sets new standards. Heiko Schacht, an employee of the Thuringian Winter Sports Center (TWZ), admits that the snow groomer is currently still struggling with technical problems, including difficulty starting and dead batteries. Moisture could probably penetrate the battery compartment, which would disrupt operation. Despite these hurdles, interest in environmentally friendly technology cannot be slowed down.

Innovative technology and environmental friendliness

The Pistenbully 100 E is the first fully electric snowcat and is a true role model when it comes to efficiency. With three electric motors and a hydrostatic power transmission, efficiency improves by around 20 percent compared to conventional models. The range per charging unit is also increased by the same amount, which makes the snow groomer particularly attractive for ski resort operators. This snow groomer is not only emission-free with 0 g CO2 per hour, but also offers a minimum charging time of just two hours at 100 kW. With a full battery, it can work for up to three hours - depending on power consumption, of course.

Interestingly, it has a variable speed from 0 to 20 km/h, which can be adjusted continuously. This enables precise and adapted operation on a wide variety of slopes.

The competition never sleeps

But Kässbohrer is not the only one pursuing the goal of sustainability. Prinoth, another experienced manufacturer in the snow groomer industry, recently introduced the Husky E-Motion, the first market-ready fully electric snow groomer in the world. With a dedicated production line in the French Alps, Prinoth is working on a new large electric snow groomer, scheduled to be unveiled in December 2025. In partnership with CDA, the company aims to be climate neutral by 2030 and thereby supports ski resorts in their environmental goals.

• Der Pistenbully 100 E:
  • Preis: ca. 450.000 Euro
  • Markteinführung: voraussichtlich in zwei Jahren
  • Technische Probleme: Schwierigkeiten beim Starten, leere Batterien
  • Hauptmerkmale: Elektrischer Antrieb, emissionsfrei, variable Geschwindigkeit

Oberhof is once again proving to be an innovative place for winter sports, where new technologies are tested and sustainability is very important. Despite initial difficulties, the Pistenbully 100 E has the potential to permanently change the future of snow grooming. As development progresses, the eyes of the winter sports community are eagerly awaiting the next steps in electric piste skiing.

For detailed information on current developments, take a look at In Südthüringen, Antra and Prinoth.