{gallery}12_17_09/sleepinggiant{/gallery}From a Sleeping Giant Ski Area lodge window, a snowboarder is seen leaving an open house on Saturday afternoon as a snowstorm approaches in the distance. After months of hard work, fundraising and a county-wide effort, the North Fork ski area is opening this weekend. Tribune photo by Carla Wensky North Fork ski area Opens Friday, grand opening events SaturdayWe are a go,” said a relieved-sounding executive director Ham Bryan of this weekend's planned opening at the North Fork's Sleeping Giant Ski Area.“We are really excited,” Bryan added, “and our staff is looking forward to having people on the mountain.”

The re-opening of the ski area, which has slumbered for several years, was delayed by three weeks due to low snowpack.

According to Bryan, things are starting to look up.

“We have a fair amount of snow,” he said. “I don't think we'll have the entire mountain open, but we have a fair amount of snow at the top of the east chair.”

Ski patrol and ski school staffers were able to train last weekend on the east side of the mountain, Bryan added.

Friday's opening day will serve as a lead-in for Saturday's grand opening celebration. Both days will feature half-price lift tickets. All Park County fifth-graders also are eligible to receive free season passes to the area.

“There is still time for them (fifth-graders) to do that,” Bryan said. “They can get their passes all season.”

Grand opening events begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, with skiing Santas appearing on various trails. Skiers will have the opportunity to answer questions posed by the Santas. Correct answers will be rewarded with a puzzle piece. Skiers who collect all the puzzle pieces will be entered in a prize drawing. A family relay race will also provide some light-hearted competition.

“The mom or dad starts at the top, skis most of the way down, and then the child picks up the baton and skis to the finish line,” Bryan said.

Prizes will be awarded to the fastest families.

An official ribbon cutting will take place at 3 p.m., with live music by the band Home Brew. Appetizers — donated by the Terrace, the Biblio Bistro and Wyoming Rib and Chop House — will be served beginning at 4 p.m., followed by a torchlight parade at 5.

“The parade will be lots of fun,” Bryan said.

Skiers are encouraged to take advantage of the shuttle leaving Cody at two times on Saturday. The first shuttle will depart the Cody Recreation Center parking lot at 7:30 a.m., followed by stops at the Terrace at 7:45 and Wapiti School at 8:15. The second shuttle leaves the center at 11 a.m., the Terrace at 11:15 and Wapiti School at 11:45. The shuttle will return to Cody following the torchlight parade.

The cost for the shuttle is $4 per person/round trip. For information, ticket prices or snow reports, visit www.skisg.com.