Hogadon Night Skiing Project prepares for upcoming season

CASPER, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - In 2016, the Hogadon Night Skiing Project was just a beginning idea. Now, in 2021, night skiing is about to be an entertaining option for many people in the Casper area.

John Lutz, the founder of this project, always thought so highly of Hogadon Ski Area. When his daughter decided to join the Kelly Walsh Ski Team, his mind immediately started to think of a way for kids in the area to be able to use Hogadon after school is out for the day.

“My heart was how can we get young people out here, you know, throughout the week. Middle schoolers, high schoolers, college kids down at Casper College... that was my heart. I just always had a vision of seeing a couple yellow buses kind of pulling up right there at the front,” said Lutz.

Once the Night Skiing Project plans were in set in place, raising the funds was another task. Generous sponsorships from companies across the area and eagerness to help made this privately funded project possible.

“It just solidifies our connection to the community. We enjoy being a part of the Casper community, the greater Wyoming community, and it’s our chance to give back again,” said Mike Morrissey, a regional business manager for Rocky Mountain Power.

Crews installed 46 light poles across the ski area to make night skiing possible for the upcoming season. The lights are specially-designed for snowy terrain and to keep the area bright once the sun goes down.

“This type of facility will be able to get the children, and our children, and our children’s children up here about be able to help keep a facility like this operational,” said Kelly Boyle, the owner of City Service Electric.

The city of Casper hopes the night skiing will bring more people out to enjoy Casper Mountain.

“The city of Casper’s always grateful to see citizens taking ownership of the area’s parks. Hogadon Basin...we owe a lot to the people that use Hogadon. The Friends of Hogadon, the Night Skiing Project, Mountain Sports... all of those partners up here because everyday they make Hogadon a better place to come for our families,” said Beth Andress, the Communications and Marketing Specialist for the City of Casper.

Season tickets will go on sale at the beginning of October and night skiing will be an add on for those.

They will also be sold as stand alone tickets.

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