READY TO SNOW & GO!
Nov 20, 2024
Ready to SNOW & GO!
It’s been a dreary few days here in the Wausau region, but with this weather comes the promise of cold temperatures. We’re excited to announce that we are gearing up to unleash Wisconsin’s largest snowmaking system, as temperatures are expected to drop by Sunday and Monday next week.
What Does This Mean for Our Opening?
Even with our impressive snowmaking capabilities, we won’t be able to open the hill in just three days. Currently, we do not foresee a Thanksgiving weekend opening. However, fear not! We are fully committed to our goal of opening the weekend after Thanksgiving and are now targeting Friday, December 6th to kick off the 87th winter season on Rib Mountain.
While this isn’t the date we had initially hoped for, the entire region is experiencing similar conditions, with only a handful of resorts managing to produce any snow thus far.
As we enter snowmaking season, here are some things to look forward to:
Black Friday Sales & Historic Watch Party
Our retail shop is stocked with an incredible selection of new items, including logowear, glassware, gloves, hats, outerwear, and plenty of great gift ideas. Join us on Friday and Saturday for some shopping without the crowds on Rib Mountain Drive. We’re offering fantastic sales and incentives to enjoy at Historic after shopping, where you can relax with a cold or hot beverage while our snowmakers work their magic outside!
PURCHASE AND RECEIVe:
- Spend $100 or more and receive a $5 off coupon towards a Bloody Mary or appetizer
- Spend $150 or more and receive a FREE tap beer, wine, or hot cocktail
The Historic Chalet will be open from 10 AM to 6 PM on Friday and Saturday, featuring a limited menu and a full bar. Come say hello to some of your favorite bartenders and staff!
Granite Peak Ski Team Christmas Party
We had initially planned a “Homecoming Party” on November 30th with the Granite Peak Ski Team Thanksgiving Camp. Unfortunately, due to the lack of snow, this camp won’t take place. However, this gives us a few extra weeks to prepare for some fun on the slopes closer to the holidays! On December 14th, we’ll open Historic early for a Christmas Party, featuring a preview of our new food items and menu, along with raffles and an ice cream social for kids in the basement. We will also be screening the premiere of Teton Gravity Research’s film, Beyond the Fantasy.
100 tickets will be available (for purchase soon). $40 for adults • $20 for kids. Tickets include five free raffle tickets (additional tickets can be purchased), one complimentary drink for adults, unlimited fountain soda for kids, and an appetizer buffet. All profits will support our non-profit Granite Peak Ski Team organization. Tickets are on-sale through the Granite Peak Ski Team - here.
Updates from Our Sister Resorts
Curious about what’s happening at our sister resorts? Both Snowriver and Lutsen are also set to begin snowmaking around the same time as us, as is much of the upper Midwest! Both resorts have undergone extensive upgrades in recent years, including significant snowmaking improvements this past summer.
Lutsen invested nearly one million dollars in upgrades!
This massive project included over 10,000 feet of new pipe, 15,000 feet of electrical conduit, 60 new hydrants, and two new variable frequency drives. While this may not sound particularly exciting, these improvements will greatly enhance snow production, especially on Moose Mountain and Eagle Mountain, where we’ll focus most of our early-season snowmaking. Unlike previous years, the Raptor Express and Eagle Mountain will be the first to open, rather than the more mellow runs on Ullr.
To manage this new snowmaking system, Lutsen has also added two new Pisten Bully 600 snowcats featuring advanced “SnowStat” software, which will improve grooming efficiency and surface quality.
New Snowcats, Snowmaking & Gates at Snowriver
Our sister resort has welcomed a new Prinoth Bison Snowcat and a Pisten Bully 400 Snowcat to their fleet. Additionally, they have 13 new Techno Alpin TR8 automated snowguns (the large, shiny yellow ones) ready to go, along with four new SMI Polecat Boosted snowguns that feature on-board booster pumps to maximize water efficiency. After hitting the slopes, be sure to check out the all-new fitness center at the Lodge at Jackson Creek, complete with a pool and spa!
Plus Snowriver is upgrading it's access points meaning that all season passholders and ticketed guests will now be on RFID technology. Gates are currently going in at the main lifts at Black River Basin, and Jackson Creek at our key lifts. Exciting stuff considering just two years ago these resorts had little if any technological advancements in nearly a decade!
Our Hours of Operations
For those of you looking to get up to the hill to pick up your season passes, purchase gift cards, or just check out our snowmaking, these outlets will be operational:
- Ticket Office and Administration Building: 9am - 5pm Daily (except Thanksgiving Day)
- Tuning & Repair Shop - 10am - 5pm Monday - Friday (closed Thanksgiving Day)
- Retail & Logowear Store - Friday & Saturday (November 29 & 30) 9am - 5pm
- Historic Chalet - Friday & Saturday (November 29 & 30) 9am - 5pm
I wish all of you and your family a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving. As we are making snow, please, please for your safety and the safety of our team, watch from afar. These machines have high amounts of electricity, moving pieces and pump out a ton of snow at high speeds. Let's do our snow & cold dances but keep it at a distance!
Happy Thanksgiving and we'll see you up here real soon!
Greg