Thanksgiving Wishes for Snow Granted in the North
In the midwest, Thanksgiving weekend is more than just a holiday with family. For many it’s the opening weekend of their home hill and after the last few years this was an extra special one in northern Minnesota. After the snowiest winter I have experienced as a native Midwesterner in 2022/2023, followed by two seasons lacking much snow at all, a storm that dropped 10” or more in northern Minnesota last week just before the holiday, generated a buzz of excitement for snow-lovers.
Some resorts, including Giants Ridge and Lutsen, were already preparing to open for Thanksgiving weekend. But the fresh snowfall offered a welcome boost and provided Spirit Mountain with the final push it needed to temporarily open Sunday, November 30th. The weekend also celebrated the anticipated opening of Lutsen’s new restaurant Charlie’s Alpine Bistro, in the former Papa Charlie’s which burned down in 2023. The new dining option will be open to guests year round. Giants Ridge and Spirit Mountain each opened a few runs to guests over the weekend with mid-week operations suspended while they blow more snow. Additionally, Giants Ridge opened four of their nordic trails, while we wait to hear Spirit’s plan for opening theirs.
With temperatures cool enough to preserve the new snow, but mild enough to feel comfortable, skiers and snowboarders flocked to their favorite hills to grab early-season laps and work off their turkey and stuffing. As we wait and cross our fingers for more snow to fill the forecast, we do have cold temperatures to look forward to so our beloved hills and their operation crews can make more snow and open more runs.
Photos Courtesy of Giants Ridge and Ian Silberman
