Weird Weather Has Odd Impact On Outdoor Recreation
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - For snowboarders Alex Olsson and Joey Titus, the slopes of Buck Hill were all theirs Monday afternoon.
Their outing could be summed up in two, simple words.
"Icy and quiet," said Olsson.
Thanks to an early November cold snap, Buck Hill is off to its best start in its 60-year history.
But at times Monday, it seemed like there were more staff than snowboarders .
Near 40 degree temperatures and rain were the reason why.
"It's acting as if it were spring conditions now," said general manager Don McClure. "It's a bit softer, it's a bit slushier. It's the same as if you were skiing in March."
From the slopes to the skating rink
The Depot in Minneapolis is always popular, but Monday night the indoor skating rink won by default.
All 22 of the city's outdoor rinks are closed.
The city needs about ten straight days of 20-degree temperatures or lower to create ice and open rinks.
"It's pretty much just ruined my whole winter so far," said Jack Hannafin of Minnetonka. "I've wanted to go skating pretty bad."
It could be a while before indoor skaters see outdoor ice.
"I'm getting winter, but I'm not getting any snow, so there's no reward for this weather, I guess," said Katya Carlson of Minnetonka.
It's possible Minneapolis' rinks won't be open until well after New Year's.