Nominated for a “Best of Award” in Family Recreation, Bottineau Winter Park (BWP) is definitely a perk to the long winters on the northern plains. Although, with the first of April right around the corner, it means the ski season has finally come to an end. Bottineau Winter Park Ski School Instructor Dan Fett said, “We had a better than average year with lots of snow and lots of great weather. [The] season was longer than normal as we went from before Thanksgiving to April 2nd.” BWP doesn’t have an official open date in the fall or close date in the spring, but instead has the luxury (or detriment) of following that season’s weather and snow conditions.

This past season BWP hosted not one but two Military Appreciation days in which military members and their families received a significant discount on tubing, skiing and equipment rentals. Fett explained the success of these events on MLK Jr Day, January 16th, and February 17th, saying, “Both [Military Appreciation Days] had a 50 skier parade of flags, and the color guard from the base participated in one of them. We will definitely have these events again.” Fett and the staff at BWP understand the importance of their military clientele and were overjoyed with the massive turnout on both of the special event days. He said, “BWP is very thankful for our military and their service to our nation. That is why we put on our Military Appreciation days and offer a 10% discount every day at the park.”

When asked what BWP would be up to during the offseason, Fett explained they are proudly installing a new t-bar lift for the slopes, which will allow for a smoother ride up and be less affected by high winds. Fett also said that BWP hosts small events throughout the summer saying, “We have trails for hiking around the park in the summer time. Our adaptive recreation program is busy with many events and activities for kids with disabilities.”

Bottineau Winter Park has one more weekend of tubing and skiing ahead and plans to be open Saturday, April 1st, and Sunday, April 2nd, for their last hurrah of the spring skiing. So go on out and get one last breath of winter at BWP this weekend before the true spring days roll in!