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Granite Peak

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#1 ·
Heading to GP this weekend coming up to do some boardin. Anybody been there recently? How are the conditions and is it crazy busy on the weekends there?
 
#2 ·
Friendly Granite Peak snow carnie at your service.

Temps this week are promising for making snow. Trying to replenish some of what the rain took away last Thursday and Friday.

Small chance of snow a few days this week, but not much expected for accumulation.

Here is their "snow report" and I would check it daily and it is constantly changing -

Granite Peak Ski Area

As far as crowds...this is MLK weekend. One of THEE busiest weekends of the season at GP. Illinois folk in full effect as most have that Monday off of work. Expect a completely packed parking lot upon arrival.

If you just want to ride I highly suggest heading to the "Dasher" quad high speed lift in the mornings. Hours for Dasher are 9-4 as that area of the hill doesn't have lights until next season. 1 terrain park, 2 blues, and the rest black diamond. Low lines and quick return to the top.

After 4 pm the shortest lines will be on the "Cupid" lift in the Eastern part of the mountain. A few rollers here, 1 blue, and the rest are black/double black diamond. Lift is a old 2 seater and loves to sway, but that's part of the fun :)

"Comet" lift gets the brunt of the crowds as it accesses the majority of our blue runs and 2 terrain parks. We will be herding you like cattle down there to try and maximize your run time.

I'll be working 3:30 - CL on Saturday and Sunday at the bottom of Comet if you have any questions. Look or ask for Mike.

*note* we will likely have "Prancer" open which has access to all 3 types of runs.
 
#3 ·
Thanks so much for your reply. When I noticed there were no deals on tickets and lodging I figured that this was a normally busy weekend. My husband and I are meeting up with some additional family there as it is a half meeting point from where we all live. We have never been to GP so this will be awesome. We shall make the most of crowds or no crowds thanks for all the tips on the lifts!:thumbsup:
 
#6 ·
Looking over the schedule I noticed almost every operator working the entire weekend. So I'm sure we will have every lift open. That should help diminish the lines somewhat.

The hill is also open until 9 on Sunday night. Normally they close at 4.

Parking detail starts at 8 to help maximize the space of our lot.

If you are there during the lunch hour, eat at the outdoor grill. You will smell it, believe me. Damn good food.

Park crews have been working on features constantly, snow is being made whenever possible, and last I heard we may have a couple inches of REAL stuff coming here this week. Beats nothing at all!

Weather has really kicked our ass again this season, but the hill is doing everything they can to make the most of conditions.
 
#7 ·
Derp... Gotta hand it to you guys awesome job! We had a great first time at Granite Peak yesterday. It was indeed busy but you guys fly people thru the lifts and have nice wide runs that make it easier when you are that busy. Thank you thank you thank you can't wait to come back and visit again soon! Keep up the excellent work! Best day ever yet on snow for this crew!


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#8 ·
Derp... Gotta hand it to you guys awesome job! We had a great first time at Granite Peak yesterday. It was indeed busy but you guys fly people thru the lifts and have nice wide runs that make it easier when you are that busy. Thank you thank you thank you can't wait to come back and visit again soon! Keep up the excellent work! Best day ever yet on snow for this crew!
Thanks!

The weather was pretty dang cold and the wind that kicked up Saturday night thru Sunday was nasty.

If you rode Comet on Saturday night between 4-7pm I was the one putting groups into bigger groups of 6. Everyone was really helpful and most of the singles were actually in the singles line which makes my job even easier.

I give much praise to the groomers that week. They worked crazy hours to give everyone the best possible conditions.

Glad you enjoyed your stay and we hope to see you again soon!:yahoo:
 
#9 ·
Well darn we were off the mountain by a little before 4 on Saturday but we were looking for a name tag with Mike on it, maybe next time. We were completely wore out from boarding all day so by the time you started we were already heading to our hotel. We are used to a lot smaller hill with way shorter runs, as Ski Brule is our home hill....we live in Eagle River so it's only about 25 minutes from our house. The length of your runs and conditions is the best, however we are not used to that so we wore down before night fall. That's a good thing though never had so much fun and felt like such a kid again out there. Your only an hour and a half away so we will definitely be doing more riding there!!!!! Thank you again and again you guys totally rock!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Verticalsports.com App
 
#10 ·
Oh yea and I must tell you that I am a newbie to boarding tried the last two years on two different camber boards and had my fair share of bad hurtful wipeouts. I bought a NS Infinity this year and Granite Peak was my 5th time out on it and I was so happy boarding clicked and I found my groove and passion! It was the best feeling in the world. At 33 years old you can teach an old dog new tricks!


Sent from my iPhone using Verticalsports.com App
 
#11 ·
I was out there saturday and sunday, the weather was brutal cold yesterday, like -15 windchill. Kept the crowds smaller but it was a packed house on saturday, must commend the staff on getting that line moved out quick! Wish there was more snow, but the runs were pretty good up until 2-3 when they got torn up and turned icey. If Granite was closer than 4 hours from Chicago I would definitely be there every weeekend, Devilshead doesnt compare.
 
#13 ·
Saturday night I worked the bottom of Comet from 3:30-CL. Believe me, I felt how cold it was. At least you get some warmth from riding. The crowds really died down once the cold snap moved in. Hill looked like a skating rink at the end of the nighit from the high winds polishing it. Groomers were there until after 3am trying to get things back to manageable.

Luckily I had the top of Comet on Sunday night so I stayed warm. Boring as hell in a shack though.
 
#12 ·
I noticed the snow report is saying the glades are closed, I assume there is not enough snow. I'm coming up Feb 9th and 10th and hoping with the cold forecast coming up you guys will get some more snow, especially in the glades as that is one of my favorite things about GP.
 
#14 ·
Unfortunately, we just can't get the guns far enough into the glades to make snow there. My advice would be to hit the West in the morning and the East after 4. I can't say there are glades "open", but there are several off the beaten paths to be taken if you look around :giggle:

I have off that weekend and hopefully "Slyder" from the forums here will be here that weekend too. Really looking forward to getting a full weekend of riding in for a change instead of watching everyone else have all the fun.
 
#16 ·
I'm in on Feb 9th & 10th. Not sure if were driving up on the 8th or Saturday morning.
Looking forward to a personal guide to show us all the cool spots on the hill and so looking forward to dinner at that pizza place, even if its deivery to the hotel hot tub cuz I'll be so sore from all the riding !!!

Hurricane lets try and make sure you, me and Derp all meet up.
 
#18 ·
Sugar Maple park is being destroyed this week and rebuilt from the ground up. Park crew tells me that everyone will be really stoked with the new changes. I'll send you some pics when things are done. Probably by this Friday.

Hopefully the temps start to warm up. They even canceled all of the local schools today from the windchill. At least when I work tonight I won't have 7 bus loads of kids to deal with.
 
#21 ·
This is my first "real" season of riding as last year I didn't start until Christmas. I can handle all of the runs, but still have much to learn before I hit the parks. I also like to take my time going down runs as I've found it more enjoyable than just trying to reach the bottom as fast as you can.

Still 65+ runs to keep us occupied and if anyone is feeling gutsy that weekend we have the bag jump in town. GP plans on continuing to make snow until the end of January as well so there will be plenty of base and the runs are almost all at max width.

I'll be parked at the bottom of Comet first thing Saturday morning for short walks to ice cold PBR.

Last night we had SEVEN people at the hill, but -15 with windchill will do that to most places.
 
#26 ·
Last night we had SEVEN people at the hill, but -15 with windchill will do that to most places.

Yeah i was one of the lucky 7, that was the coldest weather i've ever ridden in. off topic, who was the babe at the top of blitzen lift? could've warmed me up real fast i think! i get out there probably once a week, usually tuesday nights as that's my day off and it's cheap that night. i'll have to look for you next time i stop out.

Rob
 
#23 ·
Sounds good guys I'm looking forward to riding somewhere different than my local hill and this will be my only trip this year. We just bought a new house this past year so I told the wife this would be my only trip this year. We'll exchange info as we get closer.
Oh Slyder not sure where you are staying but I just got an awesome deal on my hotel room from Hotwire.com. We are staying at the Days Inn North for $45 total per night for 2 people. Maybe worth checking out if you haven't already reserved a room.
 
#25 ·
I next to keep my teenagers away from that then :')
Lookng into Hampton Inn I think free waffle breakfast and great hot tub.haven't really looked into rooms yet busy trying to fix a broken down car.
I can relate to the family budget hurricane. Our several trips this season was trimmed to one as well.still got season passes so gettting tons of riding in locally.
I'm not a bomber that's my kids but I do love varying terrain, park chutes, glades jumps ill ride anywhere....skills permitting.
 
#31 ·
Every time I've stayed at Super 8 it ended up being $80+ after all of the taxes they charge, it is decent hotel though. I'll make do for $45 total at Days Inn. I do not recommend the Motel 6, we stayed there 2 years ago and they had the worst beds ever.
 
#37 ·
Jump in and introduce yourself I haven't seen you online ever. I look from Locations and you are right in my hood !!! Want to hit Alpine after work tomorrow???? I'm going.
If your free he is that invite to Granite Peak Feb 8 & 9 !!!! I know were gonna have a blast.
 
#39 ·
Good couple inches of snow last night. Was very hard not to call in sick today to catch first chair.

At least I don't have to work tonight so I will be able to catch last chair instead.

Another 1-2 in the forecast for this weekend. I know its not much, but I'll gladly take whatever comes.
 
#44 ·
Great news, it's looking like the weather will be pretty good by next weekend. Is the at your own risk because of the lack of snow? would be nice to get some more snow before we make it up there.
 
#47 ·
Yes. It rained in the morning.

I realize weather forecasting can be a bitch, but reports for Tuesday night/Wednesday were so far off base it isn't even funny.

We went from 6-8 falling to 3-5 to 1-2 I heard this morning. :dizzy:

This latest storm pretty much missed Wausau completely. Not much rain which was good, but no snow either.
 
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