Great Bear to open this week

Just in time for the last few days of school break, Great Bear Ski Valley is ready to open.

The park in northeast Sioux Falls will open for skiing and snowboarding with limited runs at noon Thursday, which is three hours later than originally announced.

Here’s what you need to know.

Buy lift tickets online

This isn’t optional: Because Great Bear projects 40 percent of trails to be open at first, full-day lift tickets are limited to 300 per day, and evening tickets starting at 5 p.m. are limited to 300 per day.

So you have to buy them here.

More daily tickets will become available as more terrain is opened, weather permitting. Rental equipment must be purchased at guest services the day of your visit and is first come, first served.

Great Bear season passholders may use their pass and buddy passes any day of the season without restriction. Punch cards, ambassador passes, vouchers, gift certificates and military discounts also will be accepted without a reservation.

Reservations aren’t required for College ID Night, which begins at 5 p.m. Saturday, or Sanford Health buy-one, get-one day Jan. 4.

Punch cards from last season expire Jan. 14.

You can’t go tubing yet

The Kirby Family Tubing Park isn’t open for the year yet. If the forecast holds, Great Bear is hoping to open it by the end of the week.

Book lessons online

Reservations for lessons are highly recommended. You can book those here.

Fifth Grade Days are back

The popular Fifth Grade Days program begins Friday and runs every  Tuesday and Friday all season. For $10, get a lift ticket and equipment rental. Also, book a $20 group lesson for your fifth grader for Fridays online. To register your fifth grader, click here. 

There will be extended hours for holiday break — plus fireworks

Here are the special dates to know for the rest of holiday break:

• Thursday: Noon to 10 p.m.
• Friday: 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. plus Fifth Grade Days, special rates at 5 p.m. and fireworks at midnight.
• Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sunday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Monday: 3 to 9 p.m.

Before you go

Visit greatbearpark.com or call 605-367-4309 for the most up-to-date information and trail status.