BURNSVILLE, Minn. — At Buck Hill in Burnsville, the snow machines have been running nonstop since Monday to get the ski hill ready for the season.
Chief Operating Officer Nate Birr says 12 employees are working Thanksgiving to make enough snow to officially open at 10 a.m. Friday morning.
“Our guys are doing a tremendous job,” Birr said. “We’re really fortunate to have a veteran crew that takes it seriously and has a lot of fun doing it.”
Birr says the goal every season it to to have the ski hill open by Black Friday, but the weather plays a big role in whether it will open on time.
"Typically we look for temps at 27 degrees or below, but for ideal temps to be able to maximize how much water we can push through the guns, push through the system, we want it to be in that low teens,” Birr said.
In recent years, Buck Hill ownership has invested a lot of money into their snow machines.
"Eight or nine snow guns over the last two years, we have a new pump house,” Birr explained.
This equipment gives the snowmaking crew more options when the weather won’t cooperate.
“Last year, you know, it was tough. We had a drop in visitations by about 20%,” Birr said. “Not having snow in people’s backyards, I think, just really makes a difference in people thinking about winter and winter activities.”
Besides snow, Buck Hill managers have also diversified into other businesses in recent years to give them more options to bring in revenue.
"You know, we had an endurance race out here this summer, we have our concert series that we've planned. Our car shows have just grown,” Birr said. "We’re just trying to figure out what's the right mix, what sticks, what's popular."
But Birr says skiing and snowboarding will always be their top priority and they're excited to start another season.
"It’s just a winter wonderland out here," Birr said. "It’s fun and we’re excited."