Businesses Really Feel the Heat this Winter
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TWO HARBORS, Minn - Some people are simply loving the warm and sunny winter the Northland has been experiencing, but it's a completely different story for businesses who depend on cold and a lot of snow.
One of the groups most impacted by the warm weather is snowmobilers. Trails in the area are in poor to fair conditions.
"With a base of about one inch or two inches in some places, which means riders are going to perhaps have a grass showing through the base. There might be some rocks that they have to avoid,” said Joe Russell, area parks and trails supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Not only are the snowmobilers affected, but so are the resorts, stores and restaurants, especially along the North Shore.
"I'm really disappointed. I really want snow. These last couple years, it's just getting harder and harder to have these businesses make enough money,” said Vicky Louks, general manager for the Country Inn.
While it's definitely a rough winter season, business owners say they are trying to make the best of it.
"That's what most of us around here are doing. Trying to figure out,” Louks said. “You know if this continues, how are we going to make people interested in coming and seeing us still. Lake Superior is awesome, no matter what. So we're gonna have to use that big 'ole thing."
