RIB MOUNTAIN (WAOW) -
Get ready to see some snow, covering the slopes of Granite Peak. But it may not come from Mother Nature.
Ski season is just two weeks away.
The slopes at Granite Peak
will soon be covered in snow again, with skiers and snowboarders everywhere.
"I can't wait for the season to start," Samuel Haen of Wausau said.
The hills are empty now, but they open for skiers in about two
weeks.
"We're getting the snow ready, watching the temperatures
really closely and hopefully Mother Nature will cool down," Granite Peak
General Manager Vicki Baumann said.
Managers say they hope to make snow for the runs soon. But
it may not happen until next week.
"We're going to make as much snow on the run as possible,"
Baumann said. "The natural snow fall is what stimulates the skiers and that's
what gets them excited about coming out," she continued.
"I just bought a new snowboard. I'm really looking forward
to trying it out," Haen said.
He's not alone. Managers say they usually see more than
100,000 skiers and snowboarders each season. They expect the addition of a new
high-speed lift to help that number grow.
"We've been noticing a lot of season pass holders have been
coming in, and the new lift enticed them to buy the pass," Baumann said.
Wausau Visitor Bureau officials say Granite
Peak brings in more than $7 million to the area. Ski hill leaders
say they try to help anyway they can.
"Our skiers are looking for a place to stay, a place to have
dinner. We are constantly giving directions on where to go in the Wausau area," Baumann.
Managers say they can't wait until skiers and snowboarders
can carve the snow once again.
Granite Peak leaders say
they hoped to get the first snow on the slopes tonight, but the temperatures
won't get cold enough until next week.
They aim to open the weekend of November 17th.
