Safety Above All Else!

Giants Ridge always puts “safety above all else” in its ski operations! This year, we introduced “Frontline to Safety” to effectively communicate the importance of slope safety to employees and guests at the resort.  The liftees, snow groomers and ski maintenance staff are outfitted in identifiable blue vests, which include plackets on the back sides for customized safety messages such as:  Know The Code, Lids on Kids—a helmet is a smart idea, Objects are Closer Than They Appear, and Smart Style – 4 Main Points!. With these important safety messages on our staff uniforms, guests are exposed to safety reminders on the mountain as they board the chairlifts.

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The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) designates one week each ski season as National Safety Awareness Week. This year it was January 14-22. To promote the use of helmets, Giants Ridge gave a voucher to ski free at Giants Ridge with the purchase of each helmet in the Snow Shop during Safety Week.

The Giants Ridge website also offers online safety training whereby guests can win a FREE Pepsi product at Giants Ridge by viewing the Terrain Park Safety or Know the Code videos. Following the video, guests are prompted to take an online quiz and upon passing of the quiz, they will receive and print a certificate which can be redeemed at The Chalet ticketing desk to receive a coupon for one FREE Pepsi product from the Cafeteria. (Certificates and free Pepsi limited to one per guest, now through March 2012.)

Giants Ridge also used social media to promote safety this year.  In the weeks leading up to (and during) Safety Week, safety tips were posted on the Giants Ridge facebook page relating to helmet usage, skin and eye protection, winter sunburns, and proper outdoor attire. We also posted our own safety video on You Tube with two of our lift attendants discussing how safety plays into their daily responsibilities:

REMEMBER: You and you alone are responsible for making decisions on the mountain. Whether it is using the terrain parks or skiing the groomed runs, KNOW THE CODE & learn how to be safe.

 

Giants Ridge Has The Most Snow in The State!

Is your backyard brown? Ours is not here at Giants Ridge. The alpine mountain is about 90 percent open with a 16-24″ snowbase and folks have really enjoyed their skiing and boarding here over the holiday break. There have been an abundance of families and we’ve seen a lot of children and youth, some enjoying and learning to ski for the very first time. Lots of smiles!

The snow tubing park will open New Year’s Eve Day with a special reduced rate this weekend only of $12/per 2-hour session (limited lanes available). The tubing park will be open this Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. – 7p.m. and then resume normal operating hours beginning January 6.

The Midwest is experiencing well below average snowfall rates, but northeastern Minnesota is providing a winter getaway that so many Minnesotans and Midwesterners long for this time of year. In fact, Bruce Aldesman of skinnyski.com visited Giants Ridge on December 28, and posted his trail report and photo album on his website. If you are a cross country or alpine skier, snowboarder or winter enthusiast, Giants Ridge is place to be this winter – WE HAVE THE MOST SNOW IN THE STATE!

 

NEW Go Pro Helmet Cam

Giants Ridge now has access to a Go Pro helmet cam, the world’s most versatile camera. John Filander, Winter Sports Director, took the camera out for the first time this past weekend on Sarajevo. The weather was fantastic and he connected with two of our season pass holders, Andrew Furin and Tiffany Mattila. Andrew is a top freestyler here at Giants Ridge. He was on the Junior Olympic team last year and finished in the top 5.  Andrew was having a little fun on some of the smaller features. (The terrain park and larger features are still in the works and will open soon.)

Tiffany is a long-time season pass holder. Check out her video snowboarding down Sarajevo on a beautiful December day. We’ll be posting helmet cam footage all winter.  When the terrain park opens, the footage should be awesome!

 

Giants Ridge Mountain Opening Friday, Nov. 25!

The day has finally arrived: Giants Ridge announced this morning that the Mountain will open Friday, November 25 for alpine skiing! Innsbruck, Sarajevo, and St. Moritz (Bunny Hill) runs will open, with other run openings to be determined. (Cross country is still to be determined.)

The Mountain will be open 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A special opening rate of $20/day for adults and $15/day for children will be offered to alpine skiers all weekend. The Mountain will be open Saturdays and Sundays in December until it opens seven days a week beginning December 16.  HAPPY SKIING & BOARDING!

 

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Giants Ridge launches blog

We are excited to announce the launch of our Giants Ridge blog. Check back often for updates regarding golf and skiing