Ski Brule

2/12/21

Baby it’s COLD outside!  What?  There’s no such thing as a bad day on snow, only bad gear!  That’s right.  I’m the first to say, dress for it and you can make the most out of a -25 degree day!  No I’m not crazy … it’s true!  This week certainly separated the Yoopers from the Snow Birds.  An entire week of -25 or colder in the morning.  Today we woke to only -8 and I cheered!  LOL.  Got to put things into perspective.

So what’s happening at Ski Brule?  Still waiting on more snow.  Up until this past storm there was very little snow on the ground.  In fact, some places grass was still showing.  The snow received last week was welcomed (but almost broke my back shoveling off our ice skating rink LOL).  The Grooming Crew broke out the groomers and ran up and down the slopes…. why you may ask?  Packing down the snow keeps it in place and helps to start building a snow base.  We need additional snow before the slopes can open and less restrictive government regulations which will allow us to resume operations at more than the current 25% permitted.  It’s tough time with tough decisions but we will keep on skiing for years to come.

Thinking Snow (more than ever)

Jess & Colt

BIG CHANGES FOR 20/21 SNOW SEASON: (updated 10/22/20)
CLICK HERE TO READ THE COMPLETE 20/21 OPERATIONAL PLAN

Last March, the Michigan Governor shut Ski Brule down with a month of the best snow and the best skiing yet to go.  We thought and hoped that the pandemic would be over or at least improve, but it is not, in fact it is worse in Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois.  In the Ski Brule area, daily cases now exceed monthly total from June, schools are closed, medical facilities are closed, law enforcement is infected.  There were zero COVID cases in Dickenson-Iron County March through May and now 1,000 cases.  The U.P. daily totals exceed the monthly totals from June and our area has been moved back a ‘phase’ due to the significant increase in COVID cases.

Masks are required everywhere, food and bar service is severely restricted, indoor gathering is significantly limited.  Additional rules and enforcement have been implemented by the Health Department, Liquor Control Commission and MIOSHA.

How will we, can we, operate Ski Brule?  We have a legacy here.  Ski Brule has continually operated for 64 years.  Operated under the same family management for longer than any other ski facility in the U.S.  We have provided our guests with a great family winter resort for years.

But Covid-19 has changed everything.  Our traditional model won’t work.   Close gatherings, close friends, close families, personal service, face to face relations, handshakes and hugs are outlawed.

And the financial risk of again being shut down, but now in the early season seems very high!  We’ve look for answers and assurances but have received none!

We now, finally, must advise our many, many guests, our friends and families of Ski Brule’s plans for Winter 20/21.

We all know that things change quickly.  The future is far less predictable, so what we provide here will likely change – hopefully for the better.

Our Goals For 20/21:

1. Keep staff and guests safe.
2. Remain financially sound for the years after COVID-19.
3. Offer what we can, safely and practically.

Will we ski & snowboard?  Subject to Covid-19 and mother nature, yes.  Covid-19 and government orders that is, because orders of shut down could occur anytime.  Mother Nature because we will need plenty of natural snow.