Our vision is to inspire great memories.
Our mission is to provide fun and meaningful experiences.
Our values are adaptability, communication, respect and teamwork
Great Bear Board of Directors: Steve Sanford (President), Jamie Simko James Gulson, Eric Lundin, Suzannah Chap, Natalie Eisenberg, Greg Blomberg, Errin Frankman, Brock Doubledee, Brett Kollars (Assistant Parks Director, City of Sioux Falls)
Dan Grider
General Manager
Dan was first bitten by the ski bug in the mid-’70s at his local ski area, Great Bear! During the ’80s, Dan was involved in his family’s food businesses and in 1992, was awarded the food concession contract at Great Bear. His involvement in the Great Bear operation evolved into the position of General Manager, and he has been part of all of the area’s expansions since 1992. What does he like most about Great Bear: “I love the feeling of giving something back to the sport that has given me so much.”
JILL LERDAL
DIRECTOR OF INDOOR OPERATIONS & EVENTS
Jill started as a part-time bartender in 2000. In 2004, the kitchen manager position opened up, and with her catering background, it seemed to be a good fit for a full-time job (Jill’s potato salad is a Sioux Falls favorite). Her job has since grown into Director of Indoor Operations & Events. One of the things she loves most about her job is having every day be different. Nothing is ever boring at The Bear.
Alexa Jerstad
Director of Communications & Human Resources
Growing up skiing at Great Bear with her family, Lexi’s love for winter sports began at a young age. In 2010, she started as a guest services employee greeting and assisting visitors. After graduating college, Lexi was made Director of Communications. Her duties now include managing day-to-day administrative tasks, assisting department heads and promoting the Great Bear brand. She enjoys working alongside her coworkers who share her passion for snow.
BRANDON MERCADO
DIRECTOR OF SNOWSPORTS & RENTAL OPERATIONS
Brandon wishes he had a cool story about how his parents were ski bums and that he was on skis since the day he was born. But the truth is, he never even lived in a place that got snow until he was 16. In 2001, he started working in the rental shop during college, never skiing a day in his life. Figuring he should know how to ski if he was going to work at a ski area, he gave it a shot and was instantly hooked. His new love kept him coming back year after year. In 2011, Brandon took over as rental shop manager and in 2021, he was promoted to full time as the Director SnowSports & Rental Operations.
“I love having the opportunity to share skiing and snowboarding with other people, maybe they will end up loving it as much as I do,” Brandon said. His younger brother and sister are prime examples of this, taking up the sport and even becoming employees themselves. His favorite parts about working at Great Bear are the people he gets to meet and the people he works with, affectionately calling them his “winter family.”
For questions regarding the SnowSports School, please email school@greatbearpark.com.
Kyle Vanderberg
Director of mountain operations/Property Manager
In 2008, Kyle started as a maintenance employee and immediately fell in love with snowmaking. After two years, he became Assistant Mountain Manager. In 2019, he was promoted to Mountain Manager and in 2023, promoted to full time as the Director of Mountain Operations. His duties also include social media management and on-hill photographer/videographer. Kyle enjoys the variety of his job: “There is always something to do, and it is always something different. Keeps things fast-paced and energetic!”
Adam Jerstad
Snowmaking & Maintenance Manager
A Sioux Falls native, Adam grew up snowboarding at the Bear with his friends. He joined the team in 2010 as maintenance and was hooked. In 2019, Adam was promoted to Mountain Manager. In 2024, he was made the Snowmaking & Maintenance Manager. When he is not making snow or doing lift inspections, Adam is a CAD engineer designing fire trucks. Adam loves to hit the slopes with his friends.
Jayne Vanderberg
Guest Services Manager
A Minnesota native, Jayne grew up skiing every Christmas at Giant’s Ridge with her family. She moved to Sioux Falls in 2014 and joined the Great Bear team in 2018 as a part of Guest Services. In 2020, she was promoted to Admin. Assistant and Vibe Coordinator. In 2024, she took on the role of Guest Services Manager.
Brayden Harris
Ski Patrol Director
A graduate from Augustana University, Brayden joined the Great Bear Ski Patrol in 2019. In 2021, he was promoted to Ski Patrol Director.
Jeff Johnson
National Ski Patrol Rep
A teacher at Washington High School and avid rock climber, Jeff joined the Great Bear Ski Patrol in 2015. In 2021, he was elected the next NSP Rep and will take the lead on training.
Ryan Bathke
Lift operations Manager
Ryan began as a lift operator in 2017. He was promoted to Assistant Mountain Manager in 2022, and Lift Operations Manager in 2024.
KALEB RECOB
OVERNIGHT SNOWMAKING Supervisor
Kaleb began making snow overnight in 2019. He was promoted to Overnight Snowmaking Supervisor in 2022.
“I’m excited to make some great snow and hopefully some smiles!”
Jolene Stangeland
Administrative assistant / bar supervisor
In 2020, Jolene joined the Guest Services team and was promoted to Administrative Assistant in 2023, bringing with her years of customer service experience. In 2024, she added Bar Supervisor to her responsibilities! “I love working at Great Bear, getting to be with fun people! Its action packed and every day is different.”
collin blind
Terrain Park Manager
Collin joined the team in 2020 as a lift operator and was promoted to Lift Operations Supervisor in 2023. In 2024, Collin was promoted to Terrain Park Manager.
avery boechler
Lift Operations supervisor / HR Support
Avery joined the team in 2021 as a lift operator and was promoted to Lift Operations Supervisor in 2023. In 2024, he added the responsibilities of HR Support.
Megann Kessler
Food service supervisor
With her mom and aunt running the kitchen, Megann grew up at The Bear. She officially joined the Great Bear team in 2020 in Food Service. In 2021, she was promoted to shift lead, and in 2024, became Food Service Supervisor.
Flurry
mascot
Flurry was shy and lonely when he was younger because he looks different than the other bears. But with some love and encouragement he was able to join the Great Bear team as our mascot! You can find him all over the hill giving out high fives while skiing, snowboarding, or snow tubing!
