Whitecap sets Saturday events; joins chamber for Paavo week

By RALPH ANSAMI

ransami@yourdailyglobe.com

UPSON, Wis. — Octoberfest is coming to Whitecap Mountain on Saturday with events planned for young and old alike.

Whitecap manager David Dziuban said the events will begin at 10 a.m. with a keg-tapping.

There will be a bouncy house for the kids, face painting, a bean bag toss and a scavenger hunt.

The fun, games, food and refreshments will run until 11 p.m., with Lake Effect performing music from 7 to 11 p.m.

Fall colors are peaking across the Gogebic Range and the scenery at Whitecap on Tuesday was spectacular.

“There’s still some patches of green and Saturday should be ideal for color watching from the mountain,” Dziuban said.

It’s part of the new management’s efforts to make Whitecap a year-round resort, with activities on many weekends.

There are currently 35 employees renovating the resort buildings and the infrastructure to the tune of from a $2.5 million to $3 million investment, Dziuban said Tuesday.

Included in that total is $800,000 for two new state-of-the-art groomers.

Last Friday, Whitecap held a foundation fundraising golf tournament attended by State Rep. Janet Bewley, D-Ashland, and State Sen. Beth Meyers, D-Bayfield, along with area dignitaries and economic developers.

The gathering heard a presentation on the plans for the ski hill and golf course.

A total of $2,000 was raised for the Whitecap Foundation, designed to assist the community.

Dziuban said the golfing continued Friday through a minor snowfall. Golf balls picked up snow on the greens.

It was announced Friday that Whitecap will partner with the Paavo Nurmi Marathon committee to offer a Warrior Challenge next Aug. 3 — an Iron Man-type of event, and a Paavo Pursuit on Aug. 11, which will be 24, 50 and 100-mile bike races.

Dziuban said events are planned throughout the winter, sponsored by 11 or 12 major companies. “They will carry into next summer,” he said.

It was also announced there will be a Dave and Evie Lundberg Memorial Ski Race on Feb. 16, honoring the two people who ran Whitecap operations for most of their lives. Dave Lundberg died on Sept. 23 and Evie Lundberg passed away earlier this year. “Their legacy lives on here,” Dziuban said. It will be a snowboarding and skiing event.

On Feb. 23, a Snowmakers Cup ski competition is planned at the hill.

Dziuban was on the phone Tuesday with the Iron County Forestry Department about extending snowmobile Trail 6 a half mile to the resort’s parking lot.

He’ll be meeting with a disc golf course designer later this month to work out holes for the former golfing back nine.

The front nine continues to offer a par 36 golf course. Fall golfing will continue until mid-October, weather permitting.