@ckf Exactly 100%- early season snow is a huge insulator and slows the frost from penetrating the ground. A roller knocks the air out of the snow and compacts it allowing the frost to penetrate sooner. The added bonus is that it helps to get sled traffic on the full width of the trail sooner to help freeze things down. Otherwise, the damn sleds just run right down the center of the trail.
We love early season traffic on our trails. The more we get early, the quicker things are frozen down enough for us to get our groomers across the wet areas.
We are blessed with natural snow, and lake effect. Every day that we can't groom is lost revenue for the club.....