Skiing and snowboarding in Wisconsin is coming sooner than you might have expected thanks to a massive snow cache stored away over the summer. Dresser, Wisconsin’s Trollhaugen Ski Resort just announced the return of their Open Haugen Weekend on October 3rd and 4th and its all thanks to a snow pile that was scraped together last spring and covered with straw and a gigantic tarp for the past six months.
“5 months down…1 to go! Our giant pile of saved snow is hanging tough. It’s coming up QUICK! 2026 Open Haugen Weekend returns Oct. 3 & 4!”
When it comes closer to the Open Haugen Weekend the folks at Trollhaugen will pull the tarp, hop in their snowcats and start pushing building for maximum coverage.
“Your favorite fall celebration of all things snow is back this year BOTH Saturday 10/3 AND Sunday 10/4 from 11am – 4pm with more snow, more fun, and more reasons to join in. We’ll see you the first weekend of October for the ultimate winter kickoff. SKOL!”
This early season Midwest tradition is always an amazing event, so if you are in the area we highly recommend you head on out to The Troll to participate. Find complete event information below. Skol!
OPEN HAUGEN WEEKEND 2026
#OPENHAUGEN IS BACK FOR 2 DAYS OF SNOW!!! Your favorite fall celebration of all things snow is back this year BOTH Saturday 10/3 AND Sunday 10/4 from 11am – 4pm with more snow, more fun, and more reasons to join in. We’ll see you the first weekend of October for the ultimate winter kickoff. SKOL!
• Skiing & Riding…both days!
• Food & Coat Drive…both days!
• Lift Rides…both days!
• Ski Swap…both days!
• Hay Rides…both days!
• Ski Shop Sale…both days (plus Friday hours!)
• Bar & Grill…both days!
• Ticket Office…both days!
• Vendor Village…both days!
Help us celebrate another Open Haugen Weekend! Admission is FREE (and so are the lift rides & hay rides)! Registration for skiing & snowboarding opens Thursday 9/17 at 4pm. Stay tuned for more info!
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OPEN HAUGEN FESTIVITIES
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OPEN HAUGEN: Food. Fun. Coat & Food Drive. Chair Lift Rides. Rail Jam. Hay Rides. Trolls!
Sat 10/3 & Sun 10/4 – 11:00am to 4:00pm
FOOD DRIVE & COATS FOR KIDS:
Bring 2 canned / boxed food items or baby diapers/wipes, or a gently-used coat to donate. In return, you will receive a Troll Lift Ticket Dicsount Coupon! (Over 50,000lbs of food in the last 10 years! 1 ticket/human donating.)
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SKI & BOARD SHOP SALE / SWAP
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SKI & BOARD SHOP SALE: Stock up on this year’s gear with great prices and even better discounts!
Friday 10/2 – 12:00 to 6:00pm
Saturday 10/3 – 10:00am to 4:00pm
Sunday 10/4 – 11:00am to 4:00pm
SKI & BOARD SWAP: Find some local deals, or sell your winter gear. The digging is half the fun!
Saturday 10/3 – 10:00am to 4:00pm
Sunday 10/4 – 11:00am to 4:00pm
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OPEN HAUGEN SNOW SESSIONS
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Set an alarm (or maybe two) because registration OPENS this coming Thursday 9/17/26 at 4:00pm via Fareharbor.com/Trollhaugen. Get all the info below:
IMPORTANT: All participants are limited to ONE session for the entirety of the weekend! Pick between ONE Saturday non-contest session, or ONE Sunday contest session. Repeat registrations will be cancelled. Choose wisely, it will sell out!
SATURDAY SESSIONS (non-contest)
Oct. 3rd | 11am – 4pm | $25
• Intermediate Park Setup
• Terrain Park & Rope Tow experience required
• Freeski/freeride, no prizes, just for fun!
• Ages 8+ only
• 3 total 90min sessions (pick only one)
SESSION 1 | 11:00am – 12:30pm
SESSION 2 | 12:45pm – 2:15pm
SESSION 3 | 2:30pm – 4:00pm
SUNDAY AM JAM (contest)
Oct. 4th | 11am – 1pm | $30
• Intermediate/Advanced Park Setup
• Terrain Park & Rope Tow experience required
• 2-Hour Ski & SB contest
• Prizes for top Boy/Girl Ski, SB & Grom
• Ages 8 – 17 only
SUNDAY PRO JAM (contest)
Oct. 4th | 1:30pm – 3:30pm | $30
• Intermediate/Advanced Park Setup
• Terrain Park & Rope Tow experience required
• 2-Hour Ski & SB contest
• Cash prizes for top Men/Women Ski & SB
• Recommended 18 & up
• Cash prizes for top Men/Women Ski & SB
PLEASE NOTE:
• Only 1 time slot per person for Open Haugen weekend.
• Multiple registrations for the same person will result in refunds.
• Waiver required for all participants.
• You have the option of foregoing the release waiver and paying an additional fee to complete an agreement form, which does not release liability.
