Great Bear details new offerings, expansion plans as season opens

Great Bear Ski Valley opens for the first skiers and snowboarders of the season this week, with some new offerings and plans for the future.

Season passholders can head to the slopes at 5901 E. Rice St. at 3 p.m. Thursday. Great Bear will open to the general public at noon Friday.

Not all runs are open, so capacity will be limited. Day tickets must be purchased online in advance. Lift tickets and lessons can be booked online at greatbearpark.com.

“Snowmaking has been great,” said Alexa Jerstad, director of communications and human resources. ‘Thankfully, we got some early cold temperatures.”

New snow guns are helping, she added.

“That new technology lets us make better snow in the marginal weather,” Jerstad said.

The other significant new addition for the season is a new point of sale system that includes an outdoor kiosk.

“We really think it’s going to improve the guest experience, both when they’re online planning their visit and when they arrive in person,” she said.

If you buy a ticket online, you’ll just scan your phone on the outdoor kiosk, “print your ticket and head to the lift,” Jerstad continued. “You’ll get on the snow faster.”

Great Bear also is offering a new lower-cost weekday pass for the season. Priced at $180, it includes Monday through Thursday plus Sunday evenings.

“So it’s just different options for people who want to avoid the lines and ski about half-price as our regular season pass,” Jerstad said.

Season passes, ticket packs and buddy passes will be accepted without restrictions. No reservation is required. If you plan to visit with a voucher or discount, please email [email protected] at least 24 hours in advance.

Punch cards, buddy passes and gift certificates from the 2023-24 season will be accepted through Jan. 31, 2025.

Weekly promotions including Monday Madness, Tubing Tuesday, 5th Grade Days and College ID Nights will begin after holiday break on Jan. 2.

Great Bear hopes to open tubing for the season by holiday break, depending on the weather. Tickets are not yet available online for tubing.

“We say natural snow is good advertising, but manmade snow actually makes a better product to ski on and doesn’t melt as fast,” Jerstad said. “We’re hopeful to have everything open by the holiday break, including tubing.”

Staffing “is going well,” she continued. “We’re still hiring for our lift operators and ski instructors. We’re looking for people who love winter, want to share their passion for the outdoors and get a cheap season pass for them and their families.”

Great Bear also is continuing to work with the city of Sioux Falls on implementing its master plan, which looks out to the next decade.

“Our top priority remains expanding our skiing terrain another 7 acres,” Jerstad said. “We’ve got the plans ready. The next steps are fundraising, and we hope to move that along as quickly as we can.”

That would increase capacity for downhill skiing by 50 percent plus add another chairlift. While timing isn’t determined yet, “we’re working with the city of Sioux Falls to make it happen,” she said.

The best way to stay up to date on events and operations for the season is at greatbearpark.com.