Great Bear Hoping For More Snow And Cold

SIOUX FALLS, SD - While many of us are welcoming the warmer weather with open arms, others, like Great Bear Recreation, are crossing their fingers the temps drop a little lower and more white stuff starts to fall.

School is out for the President's day holiday and that means it's time to hit the slopes, despite the wet ride.

"It’s slow.  The snow is sticky. I think I need to get my board waxed because it's hard to make it down the hill without stopping because it's so sticky," Blake Hustrulid said.

"If you jump or something, you fall straight in the snow and flip forward," Tristen Schumacher said.

The wet, compact snow is hard on wipeouts, but all of the hills are still open at Great Bear Recreation, minus one tubing run that's become a little too brown.

"It’s been a change.  Actually February thaw is not unheard of.  We've lost some snow obviously.  That's why we make all that snow in January because we know we need it in February and March," Dan Grider with Great Bear Recreation said.

Even with the warmer temps, Grider says this has been one of the best seasons they've ever seen.  And if the snow and cold come back this weekend, it's bound to get even better.

"They're looking for three or four inches of snow this Sunday or Monday.  That will cover up the brown again and get us set up for March," Grider said.

The weeklong warm-up did cause some concern, but the forecast is easing nerves. Now, it's just wait and see and hope for snowier days.

"Giant blizzard, bigger hills," Schumacher said.

"Like four feet of snow," Hustrulid said.

Until that happens, it's time to soak up the sun and have a little fun.

"It’s kind of a novelty to be able to snowboard in shorts and t-shirts. I've even seen some kids go topless, the boys," Grider said.

Great Bear Recreation has extended hours for the long President's Day weekend. You can find more information at Great Bear’s website.