jackson groomer 1/13/01

Jackson Ski Touring replaces one of two groomers lost in fireNew Pisten Bully arrives from Maine, second due Wednesday from midwestLloyd JonesJACKSON Jackson Ski Touring Foundation has replaced one of the two Pisten Bully grooming machines which were destroyed in a fire Sunday at its maintenance building. The new grooming machine arrived yesterday afternoon from an inn in Maine that had balked at purchasing it, clearing the way for Jackson Ski Touring Foundation to do so. A second Pisten Bully is slated to arrive from the midwest this coming week.Jackson Ski Touring Foundation's maintenance shed at Eagle Mountain House suffered a catastrophic fire Sunday afternoon which claimed two new grooming vehicles. The machines, valued at $125,000 each, were destroyed. No one was injured in the fire, which is still under investigation for an exact cause. "Since January 6th, many people have offered assistance and grooming industry representatives have searched literally world wide for replacement Pisten Bully grooming vehicles," Thom Perkins executive director of Jackson Ski Touring, wrote on the web this week. "Two new PB 100 vehicles identical to the ones which were lost were located. One is in the United States and is being prepped for delivery on Friday evening."Perkins had anticipated ordering another Pisten Bully from Europe and had made arrangements to airlift one, but has since been able to locate one in the midwest. It should arrive this Wednesday.Jackson Ski Touring also received help from a Vermont grooming business. Prinoth, manufacturers of fine grooming machines, has loaned the foundation a demonstration Prinoth grooming vehicle. It was shipped from Vermont and arrived Wednesday. Along with the remaining Pisten Bully, it was able to keep the network open "and groomed with no disruption of the fine skiing for which the foundation is known," Perkins said."Our thanks to all those who have offered assistance and especially to Kassbohrer All Terrain Vehicles and Willis Insurance Agency staffs who have expedited the replacement of the two vehicles," Perkins wrote on the web. "We also wish to thank the Jackson, Glen and Bartlett volunteer fire departments for their efforts in successfully saving two-thirds of the structure and additional equipment and course supplies."