Cooler but still well above normal this week

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After some recent bleak years for winter sports enthusiasts, this season is delivering the frigid temperatures and steady snowfall Minnesota is known for — and many people and businesses across the state are celebrating. 

Through the first 10 days of the month, Minnesota has seen the most snow cover on average for a December since 1991 – the season that started with the Halloween Blizzard. 

Minnesotans are eager to get back on the trails and slopes. Snowmobiles are coming out of storage, and skis are being polished. 

“People are just grinning ear to ear around here, and it's just been so fun,” said Meghan Cosgrove, executive director at the Loppet Foundation in Minneapolis. 

The Loppet Foundation maintains world-class cross-country ski trails in Theodore Wirth Park and offers ski classes, snowshoeing, tubing and other winter activities for kids and adults. 

In recent years, the foundation has had to rely on man-made snow, which limits the amount of usable trail to a 7-kilometer loop. But if the snowy pattern continues as this season progresses, Cosgrove said that natural snow should allow for more than 30 kilometers of trails.  

Cosgrove said that will reduce congestion and support the growing demand from new and returning skiers.  

“We're seeing more beginners than ever out here,” she said. “We're busting at the seams with requests for ski lessons, and it's just a perfect winter for people to learn how to ski, because it's so friendly right now.” 

The early-season snow is also welcome news at state parks across Minnesota, where the state Department of Natural Resources often works with local snowmobile and cross-country ski clubs to groom trails.  

Sara Berhow, public relations supervisor for the DNR’s Parks and Trails Division, said park staff is hearing from skiers who are raring to get out.  

“We didn't have a lot of trails that were ready for that second part of the grooming process before this week, but with snow that has come this week, our park staff will be out getting those tracks set,” Berhow said Wednesday. “So people should be able to get out and do a lot of skiing this weekend.” 

The snow has been a boost for downhill ski areas, too. While they can operate with man-made snow in mild winters, Matt Davis, the facility supervisor at Hyland Hills Ski Area in Bloomington, said winter storms get more people thinking about hitting the slopes. 

“It's huge to get snow in people's backyard, so even though we may be open normal times, they remember that we're here,” he said. 

The Twin Cities has received more than 15 inches of snow this winter, almost four inches above normal. St. Cloud’s seasonal snowfall is 18.5 inches, more than seven inches above average. Snowfall in Duluth is a bit below normal, but it’s still received more than 21 inches. 

This weekend’s subzero temperatures should keep the snow around for Minnesotans looking to brave the cold and get outdoors.  

While it may be a bit more frigid than most people would prefer this weekend, the conditions could expedite the opening of ice roads at Voyageurs National Park in far northern Minnesota. None of the ice roads are open for the season, yet. But the roads – when they’re ready to use – allow vehicles to travel across Rainy Lake and Kabetogama Lake.  

“Driving on the ice road and driving across an area that just a few months ago you were in a boat on — it's kind of just really alters your perspective and is really refreshing,” said Katherine Severson, program manager for interpretation and education at Voyageurs.  

Last winter was Severson’s first time driving on a frozen lake. The ice roads did not open until mid-January, due to insufficient ice thickness, but with colder weather arriving earlier this season, Severson said the park's staff expects the roads may open earlier.  

“You need 14 inches of ice at least, to drive on the lake,” Severson said. It’s been tough to reach that threshold in some recent winters. 

Voyageurs staff measure ice thickness by cutting into the ice with a chainsaw and pulling out the core. Ice thickness constantly varies throughout the season, with some areas never reaching safe conditions, Severson said.  

Whether you want to drive on a lake, carve a trail down a ski hill or ride a snowmobile through the North Woods – it’s a promising start to the season. 

“If there's people who haven't tried snow activities, this is going to be a good winter to get out and try it for the first time,” Berhow said. "The one thing I'd say is, check online before you head out, make sure that trails are open, so that you know what to expect when you get there. And just have fun. It's going to be a great winter.” 

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Grace Praxmarer

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After some recent bleak years for winter sports enthusiasts, this season is delivering the frigid temperatures and steady snowfall Minnesota is known for.

Minnesotans get outdoors to enjoy snowy start to winter

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