Beautiful views, fast runs, and an avalanche of fun.
We're exploring Granite Peak in Rib Mountain State Park.
The best person to show me around
is an instructor who's been coming here
since she was a teenager:
snow school leader, Brenda Zimmermann Thorpe.
I understand you have a rich history
here at Granite Peak yourself.
- Oh, I'm so blessed.
So, I joined Granite Peak back in 1988
and started out as a very young person,
and have stayed here for a long time.
This area has done so much for me,
and it's only my honor to contribute to the legacy
serving those in our community
and guests that visit the Wausau community.
Granite Peak is exceptional.
We have been blessed with some founding members
who had a vision to build this
in an area that has over 70 runs.
We have exceptional snowmaking and grooming,
and high-speed lifts to help our guests.
- And I understand it's also friendly
to other forms of winter sports-- not just skiing.
- Absolutely!
So, Granite Peak is well known for skiing,
also is a wonderful place to snowboard,
and this year, we have really upscaled our whole park system
so you'll see the common standard
of small, medium, and large parks.
And Granite Peak also has really, this year,
embraced being able to offer adaptive lessons.
We really want to give that opportunity for everyone
to try skiing and snowboarding--
to at least give it a chance
and have a wonderful, safe experience.
- I love that.
And so, I'm looking forward to my lesson today,
getting back into skiing.
- Excellent. - What should I expect?
- Alright, well, you can expect we are going to have fun.
We'll keep you safe,
and we are going to work on speed and direction control.
- Hmm, awesome.
I'm looking forward to it. - I am too.
Let's get to it.
- Our first step is to grab the rest of my equipment
and get my skis adjusted.
And then, it's time for a quick lesson on the hill.
- So, we're going to talk about the fundamentals,
things we do with our feet.
Now, as our ski sits right here,
you see how it has a balance point is right here,
and you're leaning back,
that makes your ski come up. - Ohhh.
- But when your ski is down, and you have shin pressure,
that makes your ski come forward.
How'd that feel? - It felt good.
- Looked amazing, alright!
- It felt better than the first one.
- See?
- With some practice, I hit the slopes.
- So, let's start to glide away.
Looking straight ahead to where you want to go.
Stop.
Okay.
Here, we're just going to continue on,
and make a few more nice length turns, and finish strong.
Really nice!
Shin pressure!
Dang, nice job, girl!
- Thank you. - Yeah!
- I appreciate your help. - My pleasure.
I'm so proud of you and your hard work.
- With a bit more work, I'll be able to enjoy
all that these bustling ski hills have to offer.
[high-energy disco music]