The VTSU Ski hill is a volunteer-operated tow rope that is free access to anyone who wants. Typically, it is open nights during the week when there is good conditions for a couple hours between 4-7pm. This ski hill was first coined the Sunset Hill, started in 1927 during a winter carnival. The first ski club for this hill (The Sunset Ski Club) was founded in 1939 with much help and guidance from the agriculture and mathematics professor Philip Hodgdon at what was then called the Vermont School of Agriculture. The hill went through openings and closings through the years, but now is meant for the students. However, this hill is not maintained or groomed, and typically becomes rutted out, skied off, and gathers chunky snow. 

We have a solution! The "Groomba" is the first steps to an automated snow groomer for our little ski resort. It is a scaled down groomer that's used conventionally at ski resorts, and will be the first step in its class to becoming fully autonomous.