Had I not lived it – I would never have believed it. This my friends is a break-out year for Granite Peak. They made it happen up there on the hill. I have been skiing a lot this year, especially with my eldest son, and the snow on the hill is fantastic. I’m not a Midwest punk when it comes to skiing. Before I took a job here I was a grad student at the University of Colorado at Boulder for seven years. My wife and I had season passes to mountains big and huge – and the ski hill here, while not comparable in size, has the right stuff to compete in terms of value and enjoyability.
The lift lines are short, the terrain is challenging, and the proximity is unbeatable. I talked to a lift operator and he said that over Christmas weekend over five thousand people skied the hill. What kind of bread is that bringing into our city? Serious bread – that’s what kind.
I talk to the folks riding the lift all the time – they come from Chicago and Milwaukee and Minneapolis just to ski at our local resort. I see UWMC students up there everyday defying gravity at the snowboarding terrain parks. One can’t really help but notice the lifers too – those elderly folks who retain their youth by steadfastly negotiating the slopes, as they have done for the past six or so decades. People who love to ski are invariably strong environmentalists – they are the first to realize that the pollution from the driving they did to get up to the hill has to be offset in other ways.
I hear this past year the hill purchased a new Snowcat plow to groom and shape the hills. We need more – larger terrain and another high-speed sixer, for starters. Who would have thought that granite could form an iridescent jewel? Well done.
tommichlig
1:27 pm on January 19th
Wouldn’t a hard-core “environmentalist” skiier be concerned regarding the displacement of wildlife and loss of habitat as more of the hillside is razed for more ski terrain? Let me emphasize, I’m not opposed to how the Peak is booming, I’m just calling attention to a funny generalization.
I’d say people who love to ski are invariably people who love to ski :) They invariably love to carve some fresh powder ;)
Granite or Jewel?
3:42 pm on January 19th
[...] Mindy Zhang28545 wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt [...]
Kevin Rector
8:55 pm on January 19th
Ah, skiing. So much fun. I wish I could afford to do it.
Dino Corvino
9:15 pm on January 19th
screw skiing
sledding is what people do.
lay on card board
glide down a hill
tommichlig
9:48 pm on January 19th
Now THERE’S something to talk about, Dino. How about your top 5 sledding hills in Wausau (for both sanctioned and un-sanctioned sledding)? ;) I’m a native northeast sider, and I still recall the old hot spots for severe downhill fun (and pain)…
Marcus Nelson
10:10 pm on January 19th
My Top Five:
5. Keyser Pool – 10th Street & Bridge
4. Memorial Park – SE Side
3. Sylvan Hill – Forest Park
2. Airport Park – SE Side
1. George’s Hill in Rothschild
Dino Corvino
12:59 am on January 20th
So I am going to go guerilla on your asses right now.
1. Kenedy Park. Right across the street from the bus barn. There are three good runs. Two through the woods with hard left turns, and one that was a bomber into the creek with a solid jump.
2. The Wausau Country Club. It was a single time, but it was the most powerful night of sledding ever. My and my friend Sean Palecek, and his friend Pat snuck in there at night. We thought the spot that was sort of right under the bridge, down to the creek would be good. Not so much. On the first run, Sean ended up crashing, and we had to go home and take him to the hospital. His parents never really trusted me.
3. I am willing to accept George Street. Only based on the long since destroyed staircase/mogul section really close to the Duneks house.
4.I have sledded Rib. Back when they were called Duski and upper duski. Hospital visits ensued. Oddly enough in high scshool I rode my Panasonic MC4500 Mountain bike down, and ended up in the hospital as well. That hill is cursed.
5. Kort Street. Right behind St Therese. Outlaw at its best.
Just a quick one. I have recently wondered about the fact that we have ski hills, does this sort of rampant destruction of nature not deserve some soul searching. Is it not a form of clear cutting?
Marcus Nelson
7:26 am on January 20th
Where Good Sleds Go To Die.
Jim Carlson
9:32 am on January 20th
As a regular to the hill, Granite Peak amazes me. I agree with Barry, the ski area is run exceptionally well and has become major Midwest ski destination. Imagine that, Wausau as a tourist destination.
Groups of people book hotels, purchase lift tickets and spend their cash at our stores, restaurants and night clubs.
The enthusiasm of the ‘destination skiers’ has made me realize how much I take the hill for granted. As a season pass holder, I am able to head up when ever I want, even for an hour or two, which is half the drive time of many of the people I meet.
To address Kevin’s thought, a night of skiing can be had for about the same price of a mid priced meal or a few drinks. On Saturday night, lift tickets are only $14 [from 4 - 9]. Need equipment? Head over to Shepherd & Schaller’s website and print off the ‘one per person per season free rental’ coupon.
As I ride the chair lift, I’ve often wondered on the environmental impact of the ski operations. My fears subsided last summer when we were hiking on one of the new runs and found it to filled with wild life including a family of raccoons who were as surprised to see us as we were to see them.
Also of note, Granite Peak is booking local bands as well as regional acts, adding events that also may interest the non-ski crowd.
Sledding favs:
1) Nothing beat the days of grabbing a food tray and tempting fate on Rib.
2) The park behind Jefferson Elementary school.
3) American Legion/Sylvan Hill.
Barry Liss
10:42 am on January 20th
You said it Jim. I consider myself a hardcore environmentalist tommichlig – but what’s the environment for? Who needs a sterile environment in a glass jar? We need a thriving environment that is ours to enjoy. Those who derive the greatest enjoyment from it are the ones who will vigilantly protect it.
I ran into similar arguments in Colorado from the eco-terrorists – they would torch chalets and equipment to protest the infraction of the natural environment. I think that’s bogus in the extreme. Skiers know that if the globe warms, the snow melts.
And the 14$ life tickets that Jim mentions should undercut any sense that the sport is merely for the financially elite.
Barry
tommichlig
11:13 am on January 20th
Wait, untouched wilderness is sterile? What did I miss? :)
At any rate, I’m not here to argue (read my entire comment, and you’ll see that I’m not an “eco-terrorist”). I was merely amused by the assertion that skiiers are invariably environmentalists who have carbon-emission guilt when they travel to their ski destination.
Barry Liss
11:55 am on January 20th
I did see your comment in entirety – and I was not accusing you of eco-terrorism. I was just noting that I had confronted the issue when in Colorado. I like Spinoza’s take on nature – it’s beautiful and wonderful – and for human enjoyment.
The destruction of nature is irrational to the extent that we can no longer enjoy its wonders.
Here’s the Spinoza proposition (eggheadish I know):
VIII Anything that exists in nature which we judge to be evil or able to hinder us from existing and enjoying a rational life, we are allowed to remove from us in that way which seems the safest; and whatever, on the other hand, we judge to be good or to be profitable for the preservation of our being or the enjoyment of a rational life, we are permitted to take for our use and use in any way we may think proper; and absolutely, every one is allowed by the highest right of nature to do that which he believes contributes to his own profit. (447)
Barry
tommichlig
12:46 pm on January 20th
Thanks for the knowledge, Barry. I think we think alike. Granite Peak seems like a sustainable compromise between preservation and human usage. And bringing the town some bucks is never a bad thing, either.
Have you ever gone snowshoeing? Very peaceful. Another way to enjoy nature while essentially leaving it be.
Jim Carlson
7:50 pm on January 20th
Tom – I’ve been snowshoeing for almost two decades (I still use ‘traditional’ shoes most of the time). Where are your fav snowshoe spots locally?
Here are mine:
Sylvan Hill
Lower East Kent Street (Eau Claire River area)
Rib Mountain Park
tommichlig
10:30 pm on January 20th
Hey, Jim,
It’s been wooden Iversons since day 1. How about you?
I don’t do it nearly enough to be considered an enthusiast, but it’s something I love to do. I rarely do it locally, to be honest. I’ve done Sylvan, but am also fortunate to have relatives with heavily wooded acreage in both the town of Maine and Peplin (and non-locally, in the beautiful Nicolet Forest in Florence County).
Not to take this out-of-town, but if you get a chance to go to Telemark up near Cable, they have miles and miles of great trails and always plentiful snow.
Rob Mentzer
10:54 am on January 21st
Oh man I want to do all this stuff, all these sledding and skiing spots. But…it is kinda cold out…
rockerchick
9:54 am on January 22nd
My kids love 3M park. Usually not too overpacked, and the price is JUST right! And surprisingly NO hospital visits ensued…..(yet)
Barry Liss
1:09 pm on January 22nd
I almost went into the office today. What a mistake that would have been. Instead I went up to Granite Peak for a couple of hours. It was zero degrees and fantastic. Just the die-hards and me.
My wife and I were hoping to do the candlelight snowshoeing this weekend but we can’t find a babysitter.
Kevin Rector
1:58 pm on January 22nd
Jim, thanks for the advice on the free rental. This year I had to decide between buying myself skis and buying my son skis. So I bought my son skis for his birthday. Someday I’d like to own a pair, but they are out of the budget for now (which means that I’ll probably ski one time this year on the free rental).
Also thanks for the heads up about Saturday night. I’m surprised because I would think that Saturday night would be one of the busiest times of the week. I would think the low rate would be on like a Tuesday or Wednesday night.
Jim Carlson
5:43 pm on January 22nd
Tom – I mainly use my Iversons, but have a aluminum pair as well. I prefer the traditional ones, but it’s nice to have the option depending on snow conditions and for friends who have not been out before.
Kevin – I’ve had quite a few friends who wouldn’t otherwise hit the hill take advantage of the Saturday night deal. Not sure why they are doing it, but it seems to be working.
Darcey Westcott
12:25 pm on January 23rd
For those out there who don’t own their own skis (yet), check out the Monday and Wednesday night special at the hill—FREE SKI RENTAL! Night skiing (4-9 pm) is $28. This beats the Saturday night deal in that if you need to rent skis, you’re paying $30 in online ski rental (save $4 when you reserve online 24 hours in advance) plus the $15 lift ticket special. That’s a total of $45 – still a bargain. But on Mon/Wed, it’s $28. The last time I skiied on a Wed. night with temps at around 28 degrees, there were literally no lines for the lifts and the hills were empty! I was in heaven.
http://www.skigranitepeak.com/eventsSpecials/index.cfm?sub=midweekSpecials
I haven’t skiied for nearly 2 decades (used to live at the hill back in the days). The skis of this decade are shaped a bit different than my old Rosis from the ’80s so, for anyone in my situation, it’s a good idea to rent first, try out the equipment and buy later.
I will admit, after 5 minutes on the hill in my rental skis, my “I’m not sure I’ll take to the effaced shadow of what once was ‘my’ Rib Mountain” attitude transformed into an ” I totally love Granite Peak and I never want to leave” declaration. So far, I’m okay with limiting my skiing time to Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays when the weather is fair, but I’m going to start saving for a season pass for 2009!
Dino Corvino
1:34 pm on January 25th
Skis…screw skis.
coat yourself in oil, and sled down on your bottom
z1jj
4:33 am on January 26th
“People who love to ski are invariably strong environmentalists – they are the first to realize that the pollution from the driving they did to get up to the hill has to be offset in other ways.”
First off, I’ve never skied. So perhaps I’m wrong here. Of course Barry will challenge (correct?) me.
But the snow is artificially produced. One attains the position to the top of the hill by artificial means, means that require energy depleting natural resources. What does a skier care if another 80 acers are slashed, clearcut, and burned for his enjoyment? Sure, it might reduce the CO2 removal capability of Rib Mountain, but man is that powder great today!
Whereas one who snowshoes, walks, hunts, or photographs within the wilderness. He propels himself amongst the woods, has a stronger connection with his surroundings. He need not slash and cut for his selfish pleasure. Has more feeling with the “spirit,” if you will, of the wilderness. He looks to escape the crowds, and frowns if he saw another uninvited break this surreal wilderness.
Sure, I agree that those that ski have an appreciation for the temps that keep their precious powder intact. But I believe skiing can be considered a much “hotter” medium than the passion and level of respect that one contains who seek beauty in a desolate swamp…and broke trail to get there.
“Any hot medium allows of less participation than a cool one, as a lecture makes for less participation than a seminar, and a book for less than dialogue.”-MucLuhan
“I be not sheep” (However, argue petty semantics, lol)
PS-(Dino C.) Can I get a picture of your bare bottom after it’s been down that mountain a time or two? I’ve had road rash, but no snow rash there…
Barry Liss
6:52 am on January 27th
McLuhan is helpful in thinking about the ways changes in the environment(s) of tools and media alter the ratio of our 5 basic senses. Ultimately the environment is a medium – the medium is the message.
Motion/kinesthesia and all that it does to our vestibular system and other senses comprises the hot and cool dimension of downhill skiing and would be experienced in all the variables like barometer, temperature, size of the mountain, type of terrain, angular grade, density of snow, degree of light, etc. Cool = participation; hot = distanced.
My point with Spinoza is that the person who enjoys something has the most to lose when it’s gone. People who love nature will defend her. Just like people who know what’s good in life will protect with nobility the fine arts, love and reason.
That 7 year old kid taking well calculated risks as he glides around a tree or flies over a jump manifests happiness in action…He’s going to be 40 soon enough and when he cannot enjoy the experience as his father did because of pollution he’s gonna be pissed – once he realizes the threat he’ll protect that hill as if it were Gettysburg itself.
Barry
Dino Corvino
10:40 pm on January 27th
How is the environment a medium?
Barry Liss
8:30 am on January 28th
That’s how these dudes come at it Dino:
http://www.media-ecology.org/
…and it’s also the original meaning of the word medium…before all these new technologies of communication emerged that’s how people understood the word…it will be there in the dictionary too man, probably the second or third definition – but you’ll see it. That’s why guys like Lewis Mumford and Frank Lloyd Wright and Ebenezer Howard could write about Garden Cities – they understood that ecological beauty is a necessity.
Barry
Dino Corvino
12:19 am on January 29th
Being a reader of Mumford, just recently polished off three of the large books, I see that now.
Thanks.
Barry Liss
6:27 am on January 31st
A reader of Mumford, aye? That changes everything Dino…
Dino Corvino
10:13 am on January 31st
Barry,
I am a reader. I take suggestions, and consume what people suggest. The painter of the mural suggested Mumford, and I got three books from Et Al’s and took a week or two grinding through them.
I tend to read the way I look at movies, without bias.
I spent one summer reading about transexualism, as a friend had just had the first of her surgeries, and it was a reading list her doctor suggested.
Currently I am reading biographies of Jesse James, and the oral biography of Jackson Pollock…though that is a reread.
I also want to get back to reading fiction soon, and work on Micheal Chabon.
toneloke
10:21 pm on February 4th
Wow ! Some interesting perspectives here.
As an avid downhill skier/snowboarder/x-country skier I can appreciate the contradictions and paradoxes involved in cutting down trees and making artificial snow to lure flatlanders up to Wausau to slide downhill on hightech carbon-fiber modules with embedded piezo-electric chips. On the other hand, it sure beats living 4 months of the year in a virtual reality of HDTV and potato chips !
One thing to consider. Even if you think skiing/ snowboarding is silly/stupid, at least the environmental damage is highly localized. Most outdoor recreational
activities consume much larger quantities of land and water. Think snowmobiles, ATVs, lakefront property developments, etc…
chrisf
5:01 pm on February 5th
I used to enjoy Rib Mountain. The older ski hills were fine, I wasn’t a fan but whatever, it was no big deal. You could enjoy the mountain and not be FORCED to hear and look at the ski runs for the most part.
NOW with the huge lift houses, the big gouges into the side, more and more nature removed each year all to appease some private business owners at the expense of a once gorgeous natural state park it has lost it’s charms.
Not a fan anymore. Rarely ever go up there. Just not fun to try and sit and listen to birds, wind and the res tof the world with a huge eletric chair lift buzzing and clicking and clanging in your line of site.
Can we find ONE spot we can’t comercialize and turn into a theme park for the wealthier members of society?
Barry has no issues with knocking down trees and clear cutting in Rib Mountain for his hobby, but I wonder if he’s feel the same if the state decided to take more pristine state land and build something he didn’t personally enjoy?
Barry Liss
7:50 pm on February 5th
I like what senor toneloke says in his above post – the environmental damage is highly localized. It’s there. I don’t disregard it. But it’s manageable and I accept it. It’s not clear-cutting as you say chrisf.
I don’t boat – but I understand why people do – I don’t snowmobile either – but I don’t crusade against people going out on the trails with their machines on the trails.
The reality is that there are many ways to enjoy the nature – some commercial, some not. Seems pretty silly to bird-watch in the middle of a ski resort – hike 100 meters and you won’t hear the lifts at all.
Barry