Great Bear wraps up record-setting season with special events

In less than three months, Great Bear Ski Valley has set an attendance record — with at least a few days in the season left to go.

“Excellent preseason snow-making conditions followed by timely snowfall made for an exceptional opening base on Dec. 26,” general manager Dan Grider said.

“Moderate temperatures and consist snowfall led to record visits. To date, we’ve seen 65,000 guests, which beats our previous record of 49,500 visits in a season.”

The final day is set for Sunday, the latest closing date ever, with the possibility for a bonus reopening day April 1.

This weekend will bring the ski valley’s annual SnirtFest — what happens when you combine snow with dirt.

This year’s theme is BEARstock, inspired by the 1969 music festival Woodstock. Activities include:

• Limbo and Ollie contest: 11 a.m.
• Costume contest: noon.
• Liquid lap, teams of two: 12:30 p.m.
• Zippy sled race: 1:30 p.m.
• Pond skim: 3 p.m.

For information, click here.

Great Bear also will be open to the public for skiing and snowboarding Sunday during SnirtFest.

In the months ahead, Great Bear plans to continue working on a new master plan that will recommend expansion and improvements for the 220-acre city-owned park in northeast Sioux Falls.

“As Sioux Falls and the surrounding areas continue to grow, we are working on ways to meet the increasing demand for winter sports,” Grider said.

It also will hold its 12th annual and final Angels With A Dream Car Show benefiting Make-A-Wish on June 11.

“This year, the event will be held in memory of Roxie Johnson, a longtime member of the Great Bear family, who passed away suddenly last November,” Grider said. “She always worked so hard to make this event successful, granting 17 wishes over the years.”

Here’s a look at the final operating schedule for the season: