Events, Family, Operations
Fall Fun & Events Galore
Sep 24, 2023
I love fall. I'm a big fan of the changing seasons and I can't imagine living in a location where there isn't significant change from one season to the next. AKA I won't be moving to Florida anytime soon.
The foliage is starting to really show and while Mother Nature hasn't exactly worked in our favor for fall scenic rides I'm hoping that she'll start to cooperate because the views are typically beautiful for our very popular rides. As we near the Peak Foliage a reminder to purchase your tickets in advance as we do see quite a bit of visitation during these times.
Fall Fun Around Wausau
I encourage you to not only visit us, but check out some of the wonderful fall events and activities in and around our region. Visiting local farms and orchards is always a Fisher Family Fall Tradition. Last weekend I took my boys up to Helene's Hilltop Orchard for an afternoon of bouncy barns, wagon rides, yummy treats, and of course apple picking. A little drive from here (about 30 minutes in Merrill) but the route through the farms and the views of the countryside is well worth the price of the gas. Highly suggested if you have kids for the apple cider slushy float! It's a yummy treat with ice cream atop their homemade apple cider with an apple cider donut. Make sure you get the Mom & Dad Tax sips or bites in before the kids down it.
Friday Night, September 29th is the Granite Peak Ski Team Fundraiser - The Casino Night. Annually, this fun-filled event is for "funny money" and features a silent auction for some really cool prizes and activities from around our region. The Granite Peak Ski Team is a non-profit organization of Granite Peak that specializes in race programming for youth. For tickets and more information click here.
October 7th Harvest Fest
Plan a weekend in Wausau on October 7th as there are some fantastic one-off events happening right in our local area.
First here at Granite Peak is our annual Ski & Snowboard Swap put on by the Granite Peak Ski Team. Annually they team up with us, Shepherd & Schaller and locals to provide access to new & used skis, boards, helmets, boots and other winter equipment prior to the ski season. If you are in the market for some or wish to sell your skis (the ski team takes a 20% commission towards their non-profit) check out all the details here.
Down on the 400 Block is the Harvest Festival put on by Wausau Events. This family-friendly event features plenty of pumpkins, tractor tricycle races, vendors, and more. The boys and I went a few years ago and it's always a good time plus you can get some shopping in at some of the local businesses all right there.
At night be sure to make your way to the Monk Botanical Gardens on the north side of town for the Blossom of Lights! This really unique walking light show is back for it's for a second year! This immersive experience for all ages will delight with a botanical-inspired sea of special visual effects. Stroll through the myriad of dramatic, artistic lights and light sculptures gracing the various spaces around 10 acres of the Gardens.
Event Calendar Is Set
Speaking of events our winter event calendar is now set for the season. We have our typical schedule chock full of fun events for families, adults, and freestyle enthusiasts from start to finish. Here are a few of my favorites:
Cranberry Jam III
We kick off the season with our annual Cranberry Jam the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This fun early season rail jam event is more about getting the kids back together and hot turkey legs than it is about competition. Kids will spin, jib, and jump for a chance to enjoy a hot turkey leg from our food and beverage team.
NEW - HOLIDAY FAMILY FESTIVAL
Our Holiday Family Festival takes place the weekend before Christmas and will feature some fun holiday themed events including a visit from Santa himself for a Granite Peak Exclusive - Groomer Rides with Santa! Also we'll have a holiday themed scavenger hunt for "Presents," an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party with our man Brad Emanuel belting out Christmas Carols, and a fireworks show with cookie decorating for the kids. It should be a blast.
THE MAIN EVENT & INSPIRED FREE SKI TOUR
Granite Peak Parks has teamed up with The Inspired Freeski Tour to host a stop this season on February 3 & 4, 2024. Our annual Aspen Slopestyle will feature big hits, plenty of rails and tons of action. Saturday will feature an afternoon of training on the course followed by a competition on Sunday. Skiers and Snowboarders are both welcome to compete and skiers can earn points towards the overall tour championship. More details and a schedule will be coming soon.
US MASTERS ALPINE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
This weeklong event will be the first time ever that the Masters Alpine National Championships will be held in the Midwest and we are stoked to have been chosen to host this once in a lifetime event. The Pursuit for the Podium will take place during the week and culminate on Saturday, February 10, 2024. The events will take place on Exhibition and Sundance in GS, Super G, and Slalom. This is taking the place of our typical Midwest Masters Championships but is open to anyone wishing to compete against some of the best from across the country!
St. Patrick's Day Family Festival Weekend
St. Patrick's Day is so much fun that we've decided to make it a weekend long family festival. As is typical with all of our family festivals look for fireworks, scavenger hunts, and plenty of Irish themed fun all weekend such as "Shamrock's on Snow" and more.
The Cardboard Cup
We finish the season with what I believe to be the most entertaining family event of them all the Cardboard Cup! Families, friends, and co-workers go head to head in sleds made strictly out of cardboard, duct tape and zip ties. Costumes too! This year's theme: PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES. Start planning and building now!
BRAD is BACK!
Finally, I'm stoked to announce that our local legend, Brad Emanuel is back to play in the Historic Deck on Saturdays starting after Christmas. He'll be performing all your favorite songs to sing along too while enjoying a cold beverage in Wisconsin's oldest chalet. If the weather is nice you can also plan to see him perform out on the deck! This year he's bringing along his entire band for our Spring Fling for a concert in Sundance following our annual pond skim event! 3-2-1 Get 'em up, get 'em up, get 'em up!
I'll see you on the Hill!
Greg
Granite Peak GM
Granite "Peaker" since 2000
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