Happy Spring Giants Ridge Fans!

We went from a very dry winter to, what is now, an incredibly wet spring.  Mother Nature always proves that she has the final say on everything.  In light of that, let me jump right into our operations update, specifically for mountain biking

 

GIANTS RIDGE BIKE PARK AND SCENIC CHAIRLIFT RIDES WILL BE CLOSED 5/25-5/27.

 

In the past 7 days, Giants Ridge has received over 3.26” of rain, 2.67” of which has been in the last 48 hours.  Additionally, we are forecasted to get 0.3” more on Friday.  This has forced us to make the unfortunate decision to keep the bike trails closed for Memorial Day weekend.  This will allow our trails to dry for an additional week.  Opening our trails in this fragile state, would do significant damage to them which would set us back all season long.

 

We always shoot to open the bike park on Memorial Day weekend, but we also know that if we have a wet spring that it can be challenging to hit that date.  That being said, our crews have been doing an awesome job working on our gravity trails when conditions have allowed.  In April, we were feeling very optimistic about being able to get a jump start on trail maintenance.  Unfortunately for our trail crews, the weather has only gotten wetter as we have gotten closer to summer.  So far our crews have worked through Ribbits 1, 2, 3, Tadpole, and Leapfrog.  They have a fair amount of work to do on Sector 12 before it is ready to open, as well. Crews have been focusing on re-shaping features, and improving drainage.  

 

 

HERE’S A RUNDOWN OF WHAT IS AVAILABLE FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AT GIANTS RIDGE: 

 

DH and XC Mountain Bike and Scenic Chairlift: Closed Saturday – Monday

Golf Open all weekend with a handful of remaining tee times scattered throughout the weekend.  Call 218-865-8030 to book.

Climbing Wall: Open Saturday – Monday 10AM – 5PM

Mountain Sports Shop: Open Saturday – Monday 9AM – 5PM

Paved Trail Bike Rentals: Open Saturday – Monday 9AM – 5PM

Hiking trails: Open, but soft and muddy please be respectful in soft areas

Disc Golf: Closed all season.  See Summer Operations Plan for more details

 

 

DINING OPTIONS: 

Burnt Onion: Thursday 11AM-9PM, Friday & Saturday 11AM-10PM,Sunday 11AM – 9PM, Monday 11AM-8PM

Wacootah Grill: Open Every Day at 7AM.

Bunkers Grill: Open Every Day 7AM-7PM

Neighbors BBQ: Open, Friday & Saturday 11AM-9PM; Sunday 11AM-8PM

 

 

SNOWMAKING INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT:

 

This project is now in full swing and crews have been working hard (as weather allows).  The Lakehead constructor crews have started at the top of the mountain working both North and South from the valve house.  This rain has also made their jobs considerably more challenging as it has turned everything to mud.  Seeing this project get started is a good reminder to all of us just how substantial of a project this is and will continue to be all summer and fall.  It will affect almost every inch of the mountain this summer.  Crews have been removing old pipe, installing new, excavating for pipeline locations, and, in some spots, they even have to jackhammer out the bedrock to make a smooth trench for the pipe to lay in.  They have a long way to go, but it is exciting to see the project ramping up.  

With this said, a friendly reminder to please stay off the Mountain Monday-Friday. Please check the Summer Operations Plan for more information.

 

We are looking forward to a good summer and hope to see our mountain biking guests On June 1st!

 

Thank you for being a part of the Giants Ridge community.

 

 

 

 

Benji Neff

Director of Mountain Sports