Merry Christmas

man in yellow goat and blue pants skis with a smile in springtime.

What a difference a year can make! Last year at this time we were struggling to plow parking lots with snowcats and shovel out lift loading areas to get the lifts spinning. This Christmas Morning, I drove up to the top of the hill only to make the unfortunate realization that we weren't going to be able to open the slopes. The warm overnight temperatures ate away at our snowpack quicker than I'd imagined and left us without a few key connections necessary for top-to-bottom skiing. Unfortunately, that left us unable to pull things together for this morning. I'm committed to being as open and honest about our conditions as possible and wanted to let you all know what our plans for the upcoming days are as of today. See details of those plans below:

Christmas Day - 12/25

As we've already announced, both ski areas will be closed on Christmas Day. Mother Nature truly is boss and she's made it clear that this Christmas is not meant to be a white one. We've acquiesced to her demands for today and will enjoy some indoor time with friends and family instead of time on the slopes.

For those who are looking to enjoy a delicious meal without the cooking and cleaning, The Legacy Restaurant will remain open for Dinner Service from 4-9pm tonight to serve you. Our dedicated staff is eager to make your Christmas dinner memorable and stress-free. We'd love for you to join us for dinner and drinks this evening in The Lodge.

Tuesday December 26th

With overnight lows not predicted to dip below 40 degrees tonight, I anticipate we will see continued melting, particularly around high-traffic areas, like lift loads and unloads. To hold onto as much snow as we can through this warm spell, we're going to go into preservation mode for the 26th, leaving the snow untouched and the lifts closed. Without cooler temperatures, any efforts to rebuild for a reopening would only lead to further losses and conditions which we wouldn't be proud to offer. 

Lift operator rakes a loading ramp for skiers and riders.

Our friendly lodging staff will be available to assist with any reservation modifications from 8am-11pm. The Legacy Restaurant will again remain open for its standard breakfast hours of 7-10am and the Lobby Bar will open at 4pm with dinner service to follow from 5-9pm. For anyone who hasn't seen the new renovations, I encourage you to stop by to enjoy a meal with us in Legacy. I'm excited for everyone to experience the elevated dining experience and can't think of a better time to enjoy a nice warm meal inside a cozy new restaurant. All other restaurants, bars, and services will be closed for the day. 

Wednesday & Thursday - December 27th & 28th

Weather forecast chart for 12/27-12/28

Winterlike temperatures begin to make their way into the area again Tuesday night into Wednesday Morning. This will allow our team to get out on the snow to freshen things up and get snow pushed into lift load and unload areas. We plan to open Black River Basin with skiing off the Ascender Chair from 9am-4pm on Wednesday and Thursday. Which runs we'll have open will depend on the weather over the next 48 hours, but I anticipate being able to open Sailor's Delight and Starboard at a minimum. These are two of the best runs on the hill that I had a blast ripping down yesterday in the speedy spring snow. I couldn't help but think to myself , "Who likes cold toes anyway?"

Jackson Creek Summit will remain closed to allow our operations team to get the hill reset for another round of snowmaking. We'll get snowguns in position and ready to bolster and refresh Voyageurs Highway, Sugar Hills, and Superior as soon as the temps drop low enough. Today's forecast shows us being able to flip that switch just after sunset on Thursday night. With the clear skies and lower humidity, we might just get the window we need to get things open again at The Summit.

Friday December 29th

Assuming temperatures cooperate as forecasted or improve, we'll have our team work through the night into the early morning on Friday making snow. It's going to be marginal, but hopefully cold enough to lay down a bit of fresh snow to connect everything up again. If all goes according to plan, we'll reopen Jackson Creek Summit again on Friday from 9am-4pm with runs off the Voyageur Express. As the week progresses and forecasts solidify, I'll provide another update on what to expect for Friday. The team and I want you to know we're committed to getting you back on snow as soon as possible to enjoy the warm weather and spend quality time with your friends and family out on the slopes. 

Snowmaking operations at night.

New Years Eve

 

Get ready to bid farewell to the year in style! Chef Schaub is pulling out all the stops with a Special New Year's Eve Dinner Menu at Legacy from 5-9 pm. It's a culinary journey that'll make your taste buds dance into the new year. And if you're looking to keep the celebration going, Gabbro Grille will be serving up fun until 1:30 am – because who says the party has to stop? Ember takes the stage from 9:30 pm to 1 am, providing the soundtrack for your New Year's Eve bash. At 9 pm, catch the Torchlight Parade, adding to the festivities of the night. As soon as the torches go out, we're capping off the night with a spectacular fireworks show, lighting up the sky and marking the beginning of a brand-new year. Join us for a night of delicious eats, lively tunes, and a whole lot of cheer as we welcome 2024 with open arms!