First, the good news.  Most everything is set to go.  The tubes are being delivered today and the lift, after a lot of hard work from some wonderful volunteers, is ready to start pulling tubers up the hill.  We’ve got snow on the hill and we’re ready to start sliding.  Now the bad news.  The tubing operation is considered by the state to be an amusement ride and thus needs to be properly certified and inspected before it can be officially put into use. Long story short, there’s been a delay in getting our certification.  At this point, there’s a glimmer of hope, but more than likely we’re looking at the first or second week in January to get this certification.  We are so sorry we won’t be fully functioning for the holidays, but you just do the best you can do.  At this point, the plan is that we’ll be offering tubing starting Monday, December 27th.  Until we get the official stamp of approval for the lift, everyone will get the privledge of hiking it up Squirrel Hill.  Beyond the additional exercise everyone will get, the other bonus will be a discounted tube rental of just $7.  The normal rates (once we’re fully functioning) will be $15 per tube for a 2 hour block of time.  Our Oneida/Vilas/and Price county residents will pay $12, and our Winter Park Season Ski Pass holders will pay $10.  The hours will be Friday and Saturday from 3pm until 9pm and Sunday’s 1pm until 7pm.  Keep an eye on the website or call the Chalet for updates.

Back in the 50’s and 60’s, Squirrel Hill was a bustling alpine ski area.  Larger hills opening up both North and South from the park ultimately caused it’s demise.  While failing to be big enough for downhill skiing, the hill is certainly more than formidable for uphill skiing, and thus, the Squirrel Hill Time Trial Challenge is born.  The course will be a 1.5km ‘challenging’ course utilizing some of the Base Loop, Squirrel’s Tail trail, and Squirrel Hill.  The format will be show-n-go between the hours of 10am and noon.  The $10 entry fee will allow skiers to race as many times as they’d like in the 2 hour time frame (in fact, there will be an award for the person that tries the most).  Speaking of awards, they will be given in age categories and other ‘special’ ‘fun’ categories including the fastest radar gun checked downhill skier, oldest and youngest racers.  Come for a new challenge and then stay for Winter Park’s fun New Year’s Eve party (*see below).  To sign up for the race, either click here or just sign up anytime after 9am race morning.