1st Annual Honor Hike
2025-10-04 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago)
Great Bear Ski Valley is honored to partner with Veterans Community Project for the first annual Honor Hike – a community wide, family and pet friendly hike that takes participants along a trail marked with tribute signs, each honoring a Veteran or service member, who have made sacrifices for our country and our communities. The event serves as both a moment of reflection and powerful opportunity to raise awareness and critical funding for the services the VCP provides, including housing and wrap around support services.
Floating hike times start at 9:00am on the 4th and go until 12:00pm. $25 to register.
Great Bear will be selling burgers on the deck and will have the bar open for coffee, pop, wine & beer from 10:30am – 1:30pm.
Learn more about VCP Here.
Follow on Facebook.
Donate Here.

Bike Trails Now Open!
2025-10-10
Be part of history as we celebrate the opening of Phase 1 of The Great Trail Build. Destination: Bear! Join us Oct. 10–12, 2025, at Great Bear Ski Valley and catch some of our weekend events.

Weekend Schedule

Friday, Oct. 10 – Guided Tours (Starting at 6:00 PM)Discover the brand-new singletrack with evening guided tours led by FAST. Groups will start rolling out at 6:00 PM—come see the trails first-hand!
Saturday, Oct. 11 – Open Ride (Park open/close)The trails are open! Come out and ride at your own pace, explore Phase 1, and get a feel for the new build ahead of Sunday’s big celebration. The chalet will be closed to the public for a private event.
Sunday, Oct. 12 – Ribbon Cutting & Celebration (11:00 AM–3:00 PM)

Join us for an official phase 1 ribbon cutting, guided trail rides, Take A Kid Mountain Biking, and a community celebration of Sioux Falls’ newest trails. The chalet at Great Bear will be open for food, drinks, and social gathering—making it the perfect spot to hang out after exploring the new trails.
After years of waiting, bikes are finally welcome at Great Bear—marking the start of a bold new era —come ride, socialize, celebrate, and be part of the next chapter of Sioux Falls singletrack!

To learn more, visit our website at: www.fallsareasingletrack.org

BOOKED WEDDING
2025-10-11, 2025-10-18, 2025-10-25
(This date has been booked for a wedding or rehearsal out at Great Bear Ski Valley)
Special Days Made More Special

Exchange your vows in a scenic, rustic setting at The Lodge at Great Bear in Sioux Falls, SD. Choose from indoor or outdoor venues with stunning views of lush hills.
With full catering options, including beer, wine, and liquor, our event coordinator will help make your day as perfect as you imagined.
Call 605.367.4309 to start planning your unforgettable event today.

Phase 1: The Great Trail Build Opening Celebration
2025-10-12 11:00 - 15:00
Celebrate the official opening of Phase 1 of The Great Trail Build. Destination: Bear! Join us for a day of riding, community, and fun at Great Bear.

Tentative Event Schedule
11:00–11:30 AM | Social in the Bear’s Den at the ChaletGather with friends, enjoy drinks, food, and kick off the celebration together.

11:30 AM | Ribbon CuttingBe part of the official ribbon-cutting to mark the opening of the new trails.

12:00 PM | Ride Events Start

Take a Kid Mountain Biking | FAST TrailheadKids take center stage with a special ride and activities designed just for them. For more details, visit our Take A Kid Mountain Biking event page.https://www.fallsareasingletrack.org/…/take-a-kid…

Guided Trail Tours | FAST TrailheadExplore the new Phase 1 trails with guided tours led by FAST volunteers.

Vendors | Parking Lot
Confirmed Vendors: Berry Fast Bicycles, Spoke N Sport, Benchmark Trails, Chesterman’s Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Sioux Falls, The Great Outdoor Store, and Sioux Falls Area Running Club

Ongoing throughout the Day | Food, Drinks & CommunityThe Great Bear Chalet and Bear’s Den will be open, serving food and drinks and offering a welcoming space to relax, connect, and keep the celebration going.

3 PM End Of Event Drawing | FAST Swag Prize PackBear’s Den in the Great Bear Lodge

Hike, bring your bike, your family, and your friends—this is a milestone moment for Great Bear and Sioux Falls singletrack—we can’t wait to celebrate it with you!
To learn more, visit our website at: https://www.fallsareasingletrack.org/trails/great-bear

Partial Trail Closures
2025-10-28, 2025-10-29, 2025-10-30
Sections of the hiking trails will be closed October 28th, 29th & 30th due to maintenance.
October 28th & 29th trail closures

Ski Swap Gear Drop Off
2025-11-04 16:00 - 19:00, 2025-11-06 16:00 - 19:00
Stop by Great Bear Nov. 4 and Nov. 6 from 4 pm to 7 pm for open gear drop off! Sell your used skis, snowboards, boots and winter clothing at the Ski Swap!

Welcome Winter Fest / Ski Swap
2025-11-08 10:00 - 14:00
Come say hello to winter with us on November 8! Find the best fit for your winter gear needs at the Ski Swap. And while you’re at it, ride our chairlift, chat with local winter favorites, grab a bite at the 605 Island Guy food truck or have a drink from the bar!

Festivities are from 10 am to 2 pm, with the Ski Swap and free chairlift rides starting at 11 am.

At Great Bear, we celebrate winter. So we invited some friends to the party! Community vendors include Spoke-N-Sport, Great Outdoor Store, Jacobson Plaza and The Outdoor Campus.

While you’re shopping and enjoying the fall foliage, learn more about what Great Bear has to offer in the winter. Chat with reps from the SnowSports School, Adaptive Skiing Program, Womxn of Winter, Adult League and more!

And don’t miss saving big on a season pass! Buy online starting October 15 (rates increase December 1).

Let’s bring on the snow!

Selling gear? Register your item(s) online to schedule an appointment: https://www.myconsignmentsale.com/skiswap
Or stop by Great Bear for open gear drop off – Tuesday, Nov. 4 and Thursday, Nov. 6 from 4 pm to 7 pm
Acceptable gear includes downhill, cross country and telemark skis, snowboards, bindings, boots, poles, car accessories (rack etc.), snowshoes, like-new clothing or other soft gear.
– 20% commission taken on gear that sells to benefit the Great Bear Ski Patrol
– No fee to seller unless the gear sells
– Cash only, ATM on site

Winter Job Fair
2025-11-15 11:00 - 14:00
LOOKING FOR A COOL JOB?

The season typically runs from mid-December to mid-March.
Save the date for our winter Job Fair Nov. 15 from 11 am to 2 pm.
Can’t attend? Apply online. For questions, please email hr@greatbearpark.com.

Must be at least 14 years old
Food Service: Prepare and serve quality food and beverage items while delivering an excellent guest experience. Starting wage $12.50 / hour
Park Attendant: Assist with outside operations completing tasks such as line control, checking for lift tickets or parking cars. Team members will likely be stationed in an outdoor winter environment. Starting wage $12.00 / hour
Rental Shop Technician: Distribute boots, skis and snowboards, and adjust bindings to individual specifications while delivering an excellent guest experience. Starting wage $12.00 / hour
Guest Services: Sell lift tickets, equipment rental, snow sports lessons and retail items with efficiency and accuracy while delivering an excellent guest experience. Starting wage $12.00 / hour
Must be at least 16 years old
Lift Operator: Operate both aerial and surface uphill transportation lifts, prioritizing guest safety. Team members may be stationed in an outdoor winter environment. Starting wage $12.50 / hour
Terrain Park Crew: Assist with designing, building, and maintaining the takeoffs, landings, and manmade features of the Terrain Park, as well as operating the rope tow. Team members will be in an outdoor winter environment. Starting wage $12.00 / hour
Ski or Snowboard Instructor: Help improve guests’ skills on the snow by teaching ski and snowboard lessons in a friendly and encouraging manner. Must be able to ski or snowboard with moderate proficiency. No teaching experience required. Wage based on lessons taught.
Must be at least 18 years old
Volunteer Ski Patrol: Patrollers work to promote ski safety, enforce area policies (where applicable), and help any injured guests. Training is available for applicants to get NSP certified who do not have a medical license.

Click here to learn more about ski patrol

Benefits of Working at Great Bear:

$25 season passes for employees and $50 season passes for up to 5 family members (valid for spouses, parents, siblings, children & grandchildren of all ages).
Flexible hours (must be available to work holidays and weekends)
Great, fun winter environment!
Free ski and snowboard equipment rentals for employees – $10 daily rentals or $55 rental season pass for family members
Employees earn an ambassador pass for every 25 hours worked to redeem for themselves or give to family and friends (voucher valid for a lift ticket, equipment rental or tubing ticket)
$25 Indy Employee Pass (gives you limited access to ski areas around the country!)

Mt. Host Class
2025-11-22
Do you like to ski or snowboard and help others? Become a Ski Patroller!
The Great Bear Ski Patrol is a group of certified volunteers dedicated to providing a fun and safe environment for our guests to enjoy winter sports!
$25 Season Pass for you and $50 Season Passes for your family!
A Mountain Host class will be held on Nov. 22!
Certification: NSP Outdoor First Care

Assist NSP Ski Patrollers on the hill and in the patrol room
Apply basic first aid skills to real life scenarios under the guidance of OEC Ski Patrollers
Participate in real medical care of guests
Great first step toward becoming a full NSP Ski Patroller!

The class is 1 day and includes online learning (completed in advance), practicing hands on skills, and a final exam.
SIGN UP: https://forms.gle/Ak3B5DPGggdUSpqQA

Black Friday Gift Card Sale
2025-11-28, 2025-11-29, 2025-11-30, 2025-12-01
Get an extra 15% on gift cards Black Friday, Nov. 28 through Cyber Monday, Dec. 1!
Shop online or stop by the lodge Nov. 28, Nov. 29 or Dec. 1 from 10 am to 2 pm.
CLICK HERE TO BUY ONLINE

Great Bear gift cards are good for lift tickets, rentals, tubing, lessons, food and more! Select e-gift card delivery, mail or pick up at Guest Services

Office Hours
2025-11-28 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-29 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-12-01 10:00 - 14:00
Stop by the lodge Friday, Nov. 28, Saturday, Nov. 29 or Monday, Dec. 1 from 10 am to 2 pm to purchase a gift card or pick up your season pass!
Shop online at: https://shop.greatbearpark.com/

Opening Day - Passholders Only!
2025-12-10 15:00 - 21:00
Great Bear will open for skiing and snowboarding for the 2025-2026 season on December 10 at 3 pm to season passholders only! The hill will open to the public December 11 at 3 pm.

Skiing & Snowboarding Open to the Public!
2025-12-11 15:00 - 21:00
Great Bear will open for skiing and snowboarding to the public for the 2025-2026 season on December 11 at 3 pm!

Ski & Snowboard Hours
2025-12-12 12:00 - 22:00
Friday, Dec. 12 & Dec. 19 – Great Bear is open for skiing & snowboarding from 12 pm to 10 pm.
Full Day Lift Ticket – $45 (Window Price, online starting 25% Off)
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS
Note, 5th Grade Days begins after the holiday break on January 5, 2026.

Ski & Snowboard Hours
2025-12-13 08:00 - 21:00
Saturday, Dec. 13 – Great Bear is open for skiing & snowboarding from 9 am to 9 pm (open at 8 am for season passholders).
Full Day Lift Ticket – $45 (Window Price, online starting 25% Off)
Evening Lift Ticket – $38 (Window Price, online starting 25% Off)
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS
Note, College ID Nights begins after the holiday break on January 5, 2026.

CLOSED
2025-12-14 09:00 - 20:30
Great Bear will be closed on Sunday, December 14th due to extreme cold and to take advantage of snow making temperatures!
We will open at 3:00pm on Monday, December 15th
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

Ski & Snowboard Hours
2025-12-15 15:00 - 21:00
Monday, Dec. 15 – Great Bear is open for skiing & snowboarding from 3 pm to 9 pm.
Weekday Lift Ticket – $38 (Window Price, online starting 25% Off)
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS
Note, half price Monday Madness begins after the holiday break on January 5, 2026!

Ski & Snowboard Hours
2025-12-16 15:00 - 21:00
Tuesday, Dec. 16 – Great Bear is open for skiing & snowboarding from 3 pm to 9 pm.
Weekday Lift Ticket – $38 (Window Price, online starting 25% Off)
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS
Note, 5th Grade Days begins after the holiday break on January 5, 2026!

Ski & Snowboard Hours
2025-12-17 15:00 - 21:00
Wednesday, Dec. 17 – Great Bear is open for skiing & snowboarding from 3 pm to 9 pm.
Weekday Lift Ticket – $38 (Window Price, online starting 25% Off)
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

CLOSED
2025-12-18
Due to high winds, Great Bear is closed on Thursday, Dec. 18 for skiing & snowboarding.
