Retro Returns: Grand Geneva To Host "Hot Dog Open" Freestyle Showcase

The spirit of the 1970s is returning to the slopes of Wisconsin this winter. The Mountain Top at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa has officially announced the launch of the Hot Dog Open, a one-of-a-kind freestyle skiing and snowboarding competition set to take over the resort from January 16–18, 2026.

The three-day event is designed as both a high-stakes professional competition and a nostalgic tribute to the resort's storied past. From 1968 to 1981, the hill was affectionately known as "Hot Dog Mountain," a hub for the "hotdogging" era of skiing where style, creativity, and flair were valued more than pure seed.

Years ago, Hot Dog Mountain was built as part of the playboy club (1968-1981) and later became the Americana. During these years the hill was small but great and had a reputation for people coming from all over the world to experience the best of “HOT DOG SKIING.” In the early days there was a heated pool at the base of the mountain and people were served drinks to watch the “ski show” every weekend.

In 1993 the resort was purchased by the Marcus Corporation and the hill name was slightly modified to be the Mountain Top at Grand Geneva Resort which it still goes by today. During the early nineties and 2000’s a lot of great skiers came out of Grand Geneva. Grand had a reputation for being a very aggressive hill. You might remember the iconic film Aspen Extreme which told the story of small Midwest ski hills producing the top skiers in the world due to the ability of a small hill to repetitively practice. During this era Hot Dog Mountain lived up to its name.

In 1992 The North Face opened a flagship store in Chicago and they had a kickoff event at Hot dog mountain featuring the best skiers in the world such as Glen Plake and Scot Schmidt. In the early 90’s the mountain management had the foresight to build a “terrain park” on what was the bunny Hill historically, then renamed Little Annie Fanny and now simply called the “C” lift. It was quite possibly the first terrain park in the Midwest. There were 20-30 foot table top box jumps, “rails” and all kinds of aggressive terrain to play on. During this era you would regularly find the best skiers in the country flying through the air. Matt Sterbenz started 4Frnt Skis, Ty Marris made the US Ski Team, Andy DeVore and Ryan Bensheimer gained national notoriety in the extreme skiing world, Paul Yee, the Smage Brothers (of Nitro Circus), and several other local riders were the stars of several acclaimed ski films. The tiny little 211 foot hill had a reputation in the ski world for being one of the best producing hills in the country.

Unfortunately, not far into the 2000’s the hill began to lose its stride. The half pipe disappeared, the park became almost nonexistent, moguls were regularly shaved of the face of the mountain, and the hill became known as a beginner resort.

In 2024 the Mountain management to include the acting manager Ryan Brown (Director of Golf at the Grand Geneva) together with lifelong emphatic local pioneers Ryan Bensheimer and Paul Lazzaroni the decision was made to bring back the iconic “HOT DOG MOUNTAIN.”

The competition is the brainchild of professional skier and Mountain Top native Ashley Battersby. Having grown up in the Grand Geneva terrain park while her parents worked on ski patrol, Battersby is now leading the charge to revive the "progression culture" that shaped her career.

"The Hot Dog Open is a reminder that ski culture thrives wherever creativity is given space, not just on the biggest mountains," the resort stated in a recent release.

The Hot Dog Open will feature a mix of judged freestyle heats and exhibition runs across a compact, spectator‑friendly course. Competitors will be scored on style, creativity and execution rather than purely on technical difficulty, encouraging playful lines, retro gear and inventive tricks. Organizers say the format is intentionally inclusive: seasoned pros and local riders will share the same stage, and a separate amateur division invites community participants to try their hand at the spotlight.

Key attractions include:

• Main Freestyle Showcase with head‑to‑head heats and a judged final.
• Retro Gear Alley where vintage skis, boards and apparel are displayed and available for photo ops.
• Live DJ and Après Stage featuring local bands and DJs between runs.
• Family Zone with beginner clinics, tubing, and kids’ freestyle demonstrations.

Athletes will compete in a custom-built terrain park featuring brand-new rails and the largest jumps ever constructed at the resort. The competition is open to both skiers and snowboarders across various age and ability levels.

The Event Schedule:

• Friday, Jan. 16: Athlete registration and a "Welcome Party" at The Chalet to kick off the MLK weekend vibes.

• Saturday, Jan. 17: Slopestyle Qualifiers followed by the high-flying Big Air Finals under the lights.

• Sunday, Jan. 18: Slopestyle Finals and a sunset Rail Jam, concluding with a closing ceremony and awards.

Event planners are leaning into a playful, festival‑style vibe. Colorful banners, throwback graphics and a curated playlist of classic hits will set the tone as riders lean into the “hot dog” ethos—risky, stylish, and unapologetically fun. Spectator areas are arranged to keep fans close to the action, with heated viewing tents and food vendors offering comfort fare and seasonal drinks.

Organizers emphasize community engagement. Local ski clubs and youth programs have been invited to participate in clinics and demo slots, and a portion of ticket proceeds will support regional winter sports initiatives. While a few high‑profile freestyle athletes have been approached to headline the showcase, the event’s spirit is deliberately egalitarian: the goal is to celebrate the culture of freestyle rather than crown a single champion.

They say: 

"We’re bringing back the Hot Dog Open as a tribute to The Mountain Top’s original identity. Back to a time when the Hot Dog Mountain logo was iconic, the terrain park was the pulse of the hill and top riders from across the region came here to progress. The name itself draws from the roots of “hotdog skiing,” a term coined in the 1970s to describe a bold, freestyle approach to skiing where athletes performed expressive tricks and high-spirited maneuvers to impress the crowd. The first Hot Dog Open took place in Aspen, Colorado, celebrating creativity and style over pure speed—an ethos that still resonates today.

"That spirit is deeply connected to our own history. Professional skier and Mountain Top native Ashley Battersby grew up here, riding fast laps in the terrain park while her parents worked ski patrol and taught on the hill. The short lift lines and quick runs at Grand Geneva allowed Ashley and her peers to get endless repetitions, pushing limits and progressing together—an environment that helped shape a future pro and foster a tight-knit local community of talent. Reviving the Hot Dog Open pays homage to that era, when the terrain park was the center of gravity and progression culture thrived.

"With Ashley’s leadership, this year’s event is designed to closely mirror the professionally operated competitions she experienced as both an amateur and a pro—ensuring today’s Wisconsin skiers and riders have the same opportunity to push themselves, find their style, and level up. The Hot Dog Open returns not just as a competition, but as a celebration of the legacy, imagination and identity of terrain park riding at The Mountain Top."

Prizes and "Swag"

While the event celebrates retro vibes, the stakes are modern. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each category, with $250 going to top finishers. In keeping with the "Hot Dog" spirit, special awards will also be given for Best Trick and Best Swag, encouraging participants to bring their most stylish gear and maneuvers.

Registration Deadlines

For those looking to compete, time is of the essence. Registration for the Hot Dog Open is currently open but will officially close on January 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Spectators are encouraged to attend, with DJ sets and "après" celebrations planned throughout the weekend.