Historic Wyoming Ski Area Won't Open This Winter Due To Lack Of Snow

With a rough start to the ski season, some North American ski areas didn’t even open until January. With a storm coming through this week, Sleeping Giant hoped that it would be what they ended up opening. Unfortunately, this storm underdelivered, and management had a decision to make: keep pushing to open, or pull the plug.

On Friday, they announced that they won’t be opening the lifts for skiing and riding this winter. The decision is due to the lack of snowpack, and the loss of seasonal staff employees, who moved on to other positions due to not operating during December. According to Cowboy State Daily, their snowmaking system is currently useless due to leaks in their main line.

They’ll be keeping some areas groomed for snowshoers and other recreationists. Season passholders will be getting refunds, or will be allowed to defer their pass to the next season.

It doesn’t look like this will be a permanent closure, as the full-time employees spend the winter working on various infrastructure projects. In addition, they have summer operations thanks to their zipline tour. A one-day reopening this winter is being considered for season pass holders, but Sleeping Giant pointed out the logistical difficulties of pulling this off.

Ultimately, it’s a major bummer for skiers and riders who live around Cody, Wyoming, as they’ll have to travel farther this winter to get some turns in. Sleeping Giant has dealt with closures in the past, so let’s hope this winter is just a one-off.

Sleeping Giant’s official press release is below.