Wishing everyone a Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were filled with joy and hopefully some holiday magic. It’s always bittersweet when weather results in cancellations or closures around the holidays. I believe spending time at Buck Hill during the holidays truly is one of the most magical times of the year. I cherish the time I get to spend at the hill and witnessing so many guests and families creating lasting memories. That said, I try not to take for granted the extra time I got to spend with my wife, 3 kids, and 2 dogs in infusing their day with a little more joy and holiday magic.  As we move beyond the holidays, we eagerly look forward to Mother Nature’s cooperation, bringing us the cold we need for a return to the normal rhythm of winter fun at Buck Hill.

Snowmaking Update: Winter is in full swing, and we’ve got some exciting news on the snowmaking front. Our dedicated outdoor ops crew has been working tirelessly, and the weather forecast is finally in our favor. Starting tomorrow, we’re cranking up the snow guns around the clock for the next 5-7 days. Expect some terrain fluctuations, but our team is on it. A big shoutout to our hardworking crew who’s putting in extraordinary effort to make the skiing and snowboarding the best they possibly can make it with little help from Mother Nature. We may even continue through the holiday weekend, so bear with us as we make the most of these winter conditions.

Uphill Access and GearWest Partnership: In the spirit of earning those turns, we kicked off our uphill access program with a fantastic turnout—over 50 people joined in! A massive shoutout to our friends at GearWest for their invaluable support. This uphill initiative has been a bit of a passion project for Matt Guf, our Marketing Director, and myself. It brings us a whole lot of joy to witness so many people embracing the program, hitting the slopes, and earning their way up every Friday morning. A special nod to Jim Rendahl and Jeff Nebolini, our dedicated Ski Patrollers, who are up early, ensuring we have someone onsite in case of any injury.

It’s been fantastic connecting with many of those participating in the program and hearing their feedback on how to make it even better. The insights are invaluable, guiding us to improve and tailor the program to participants needs. Exciting plans are in the pipeline to make the uphill adventure even more enjoyable for more people, so stay tuned for updates and surprises. Your enthusiasm fuels our passion for providing the best uphill experience possible.

USSS Ski Team Dominance: Our USSS Ski Team, the Buck Hill Ski Racing Team,  is making waves this season, and we couldn’t more proud. Podium spots in every race? Check! A special shoutout to Kyan Hopke for clinching 1st in the U18 FIS GS race in Winter Park, Colorado. And guess what? Kyan has just been invited to join the US Ski National Development Group for some intense racing and training in Europe. Buckle up, world, our team is on the move!

USSS Freestyle Team Triumph: Not to be outdone, our USSS Freestyle Team, the Buck Hill Freestyle Team,  hit the ground running in their debut competition, and boy, did they deliver! A whopping 13 podiums out of 30 were claimed by our exceptionally talented athletes. Witnessing our new program and team make such a remarkable entrance fills us with pride. They’re breaking ground and setting the standard in stride for what we expect at Buck Hill! The energy and skill they bring to the slopes are a testament to their dedication and the bright future ahead.

Efficiency Improvements Recognized by Dakota Electric: We’re thrilled to share an exciting feature about Buck Hill Energy Efficient Upgrades in a recent article by Dakota Electric. Over the past two years, we’ve been quietly making substantial strides towards sustainability, from a new pump house and modernized chair lift to state-of-the-art snow guns. The article applauds our commitment to optimal winter conditions with minimal environmental impact, highlighting significant energy savings of 950,820 kWh. As you gear up for winter fun, know you’re hitting the slopes at a place that takes pride in trying to make a positive impact on our environment.

Read the Dakota Electric article HERE!

Cheers,

Nate Birr | COO