MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — December is gone, January has arrived, but it still doesn’t look like winter in much of Minnesota.
It was the third warmest October to December period in the Twin Cities since 1873. Yet, thanks to technology, winter sports enthusiasts have still been able to enjoy skiing, snowboarding and (more or less) ice skating.
At the Buck Hill Ski Area Monday, there was no shortage of people enjoying the slopes and the last moments of their holiday. Snow machines at the hill have made up for what Mother Nature has failed to provide.
Generally, skiers prefer natural snow, but the mild temperatures have encouraged skiers and snowboarders to head out to the hill to enjoy the spring-like atmosphere.
And with the recent snow that fell on New Year’s Eve, conditions really aren’t that bad, according to Buck Hill ski instructor Tom Schulz.
“You know, it’s actually been OK with the stuff we got,” he said. “New Year’s Eve was absolutely gorgeous out here, and before that it stayed warm so the snow was soft, it was like springtime conditions the whole time. It was really very nice.”
Although skiers and snowboarders might be making the best of the mild winter on artificial snow, ice skaters have had a harder time.
Just over the weekend, Hennepin County officials warned of thin ice on many area lakes. Authorities also said that three people fell through the ice.
Workers at Lake of the Isles spent Monday filling in frozen footprints in the slush. It was the latest task in a frustrating season. And the rain and snow mix that fell on New Year’s Eve was particularly hard on the ice, according to Lake of the Isles worker Matthew Schneider.
“It has the not been good for the ice, as the ice has been either thinner in some spots or thicker in other spots. There’s been standing water, so if someone say falls down on the ice, gets sopping wet,” he said.
Does the near future promise a winter wonderland? Nope.
Conditions don’t look like they’re going to improve. Temperatures in the 40s appear to be in order for later this week.
