Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays everyone.  It’s been a crazy weather pattern lately but we are taking full advantage of the extreme cold by using this to catch up on some snowmaking that unfortunately needed to take a week off in the middle of December due to 30 degree temps around the clock.  

Operational Plans for Christmas Week.

We will operate with our Comet & Blitzen through the Christmas Holiday and will open the East with all trails & Cupid on Monday and the West with Dasher & a number of trails over there yet to be determined on tap Tuesday 12/27. 

Lift De-Icing is No Joke 

The behind the scenes work that goes on to run the ski hill is something that is immense. Lifts, snowmaking, and grooming are all important pieces of the big puzzle.   Yesterday for example myself, and three others from our lift/mountain ops team climbed Cupid’s towers to clean off ice and snow from the past two storms & snowmaking operations.  A tedious task that I can honestly say was the most physically exhausting day I’ve experience in my 23 year career in the ski industry.  

All the chairs, grips, sheave trains and seats all need to be cleared of snow so that they can properly pass through the terminal.  This is very important for our high speed lifts which have springs, wheels, and electrical components on each chair.  Communication between the top operator, bottom operator and those on the towers is key to clearing the snow safely. Teams at the top along with the four of us in harnesses and safety gear on towers got it done safely and I appreciate everyone’s hard work inside and out. Ryan, Matt, Kellen, Chip, Rod, Max and more. Thank you.

Rib Mountain Master Plan Approved!  

You may have heard last week from the GWPP and the DNR that the Master Plan for the Rib Mountain State Park was approved by the Natural Resources Board of Directors.  This has been a multi-year process with over 6000 public comments and four public in-person meetings over the last year.  The new plan has a growth of 125 skiable acres with four new trails and a lift on the West and additional trails and lifts on the East side as well.  The plan has improved beginner trails from the top of the West which is something we desired.  It also includes mountain bike trails, a multi-use trail that encircles the entire park and more hiking trails.  

Christmas Week Plans

We have been busy making snow and we will have another 30 acres + to add to the mix on Monday along with Cupid chair and then Dasher is anticipated to open on Tuesday with more Western Trails and terrain available.  The teams have been working incredibly hard in some challenging weather but the production is going to be huge. 

A reminder we will be open 9am – 9pm daily with the Historic Chalet hosting a New Year’s Eve Party with a torchlight parade and fireworks available at 7pm for all.  

From our family to yours Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.  

I hope to see you on the slopes.

Greg