Opening Day is Here

Another “off” season is in the rear view and our team is amp’d up to welcome you back to the slopes! Our team has been working hard to prepare the resort for your arrival. Here are all the details for the upcoming weekend and beyond.

Snowmaking Success

Snowmaking continued straight from last Thursday to mid-day Monday and all of our grooming machines have been out pushing, winching and moving the snow around on a number of trails!  It is a ton of work and I can’t say enough about our mountain operations team. 

Our Snow Surfaces Director Peter texted me yesterday that it was looking really good out there and that he has a cot set up in his office!  I believe it he and his entire team work so hard early.  There is so much snow out there it takes an army to push it all out as well as move the guns out of the way!  I am forever grateful for their dedication. 

What’s going to be open? 

Mystery, Sundance, & Meadow are all looking like tree line to tree line coverage with fan favorites Elk, Slalom and Woodspur also scheduled to open.  Comet will spin! Initially we were not sure we were going to get this lift on day one but the team has met the challenge and we anticipate the Summit & Elk trails to connect you back to the loop.

Hours of Operation

Wednesday we’ll start to spin lifts at 10am and will operate 10am – 9pm both Wednesday and Thursday.  Friday – Sunday we’ll open with our traditional 9am – 9pm hours.  After that we’ll shut down Monday – Thursday for the first two weeks while we make snow and sure up our on-mountain operations.  We anticipate going to daily operations starting December 9th, Mother Nature and snowmaking willing.  

• Wednesday 11/23 & Thursday 11/24 – 10am – 9pm Lifts 
• Friday 11/25 – Sunday 11/27 – 9am – 9pm Lifts 
• Monday 11/28 – Thursday 12/1 – Closed 
• Friday 12/2 – Sunday 12/4 – 9am – 9pm Lifts 
• Monday 12/5- Thursday 12/8 – Closed 
• Friday, December 9th (open daily weather & snowmaking dependent) 

Facilities, Events, and More 

The Sundance Chalet will be your go to for food & beverage, bathrooms and for those of age, alcoholic beverages.  Speaking of which did you hear about our new partnership with Red Eye Brewing Company?  We have a very special brew on tap this year commemorating our 85th Anniversary.  The Peak Pils is an Italian Pilsner and it’s delish!  I was able to sample it earlier this year and not only will you be able to get it on draft here but you can grab some to go from the brewery in custom, commemorative 32 oz crolwers! 

Turkey Legs for Jibs & Live Music Saturday!

While you’re enjoying that Peak Pils on Saturday enjoy some fun out on Lower Aspen as we will host our second annual Cranberry Cup!  This fun “Thanksgiving” themed event will give competitors the early season opportunity to hit some custom features for some Turkey Leg love.  Yes they’ll receive some hot turkey legs just for spinning and jibbing!  We’ll also welcome Brad Emanuel for his for show of the season as our official “apres” musician of Granite Peak.  Brad will normally perform in Historic but for the first weekend he’ll be saying Get Em Up, Get Em Up, Get Em Up in Sundance on Saturday.  

Thankful for our Staff

I want to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving but also to our hard working staff.  Our full time year round team has literally been working since we closed April 16th last year towards this point and they give up their family holiday time during the winter to make sure yours is special.  I’m thankful for my family for allowing me to continue to do this for my 23rd winter season.  My oldest boy Ronan opted to skip a visit to his grandmothers house to be here for day one and I don’t blame him!  Instead of a huge Turkey dinner on Thanksgiving I think we’ll opt for a movie and a chill night together.  I think after the first few days we’ll need a relaxing night at home.  I know I will he’ll probably want to ski all night!  

Happy Thanksgiving and we’ll see you on the slopes.  

Greg