A small community ski slope west of Cody is in the process of moving into private hands after a tumultuous winter season.
Last spring, Sleeping Giant announced it would be unlikely for the mountain to re-open for the next ski season. The news came after more than ten years of running a deficit. But after community outcry, the nonprofit said they would figure out a way to make it work.
That solution is transferring the ski operations into private hands. Cody native Nick Piazza will be taking over. He said his goal is not only to keep it open, but also for it to be successful.
"We're going to carry a substantial part of the risk in that we're going to take the financial risk, and we just want the community to step in with us," said Piazza. "And I think hopefully, it'll be a cool situation for everyone, because we'll do what it takes to keep the mountain open."
He says prices will be raised, but it will still be one of the cheapest resorts in the state. Piazza said he plans to improve the grounds, provide quality snowmaking and launch an app.
"We're adding a bar. We hope to show football and things like that, and maybe have some sledding, some designated sledding hills, so people that don't ski will have a reason to come up there," he said. "As we [want] to make it a real kind of winter sports hub."
Sleeping Giant plans to open for the season near Thanksgiving and to operate on the weekends and potentially evenings.
Have a question about this story? Contact the reporter, Kamila Kudelska, at kkudelsk@uwyo.edu.
