To snow or not to snow
Local organizations weighing benefits and drawbacks of unusual winter season
Usually hard at work around this time, this Trail Groomer owned by the River Valley Dutchmen Snowmobile Club has laid dormant due to the lack of snow and warmer conditions. Club president Mat Schmiesing said the club has still been hard at work putting signage down on 200 miles of trail across Brown County.
These nets at the Harman Park ice rink lay unused, as the ground is not cold enough to reliably put down ice. Park and Rec director Joey Schugel said New Ulm residents have been taking advantage of alternatives in the meantime.
Trails like this at Flandrau State Park are still for hiking only without any major snowfall. Park Supervisor Maureen Morgan said skiing and snowshoeing will begin when there is enough usable snow.
Usually hard at work around this time, this Trail Groomer owned by the River Valley Dutchmen Snowmobile Club has laid dormant due to the lack of snow and warmer conditions. Club president Mat Schmiesing said the club has still been hard at work putting signage down on 200 miles of trail across Brown County.
These nets at the Harman Park ice rink lay unused, as the ground is not cold enough to reliably put down ice. Park and Rec director Joey Schugel said New Ulm residents have been taking advantage of alternatives in the meantime.
Trails like this at Flandrau State Park are still for hiking only without any major snowfall. Park Supervisor Maureen Morgan said skiing and snowshoeing will begin when there is enough usable snow.
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NEW ULM -- Less than a week away from Christmas, a key ingredient to the holiday season is still missing.
While there have been minor tufts here and there, snow has still not arrived fully this winter. On top of this, relatively warm temperatures have continued to make this December less wintery than the heavy snowfall and cold temperatures of last winter. Because of this, several departments and clubs are feeling the impact as it disrupts their winter activities.
Park and Rec director Joey Schugel said the biggest thing disrupted in his area is the ice rinks. He said this time of year is usually devoted to prepping and opening the warming house and ice rink at Harman Park. With the warmer weather, Park and Rec crews have not even begun prep work on the rink yet. Without a change soon, Schugel believes the situation could get worse,
"We’re at the mercy of waiting for the weather to cooperate," he said. "Other communities are talking about weighing if their ice rinks are going to open at all this year because it’s starting to look like a pretty late start. Generally, the outdoor ice season in Minnesota has only six weeks."
With this option not available, Schugel said people have been trading off with options often stifled by snow. Bicycling, walking trails, playgrounds, and pickleball courts are continuing to see a good influx of traffic. Schugel said this popularity is a double-edged sword for his department.
"You have people who enjoy the nice weather and recreating outside," he said. "You see more bicycling and park use where we don’t have super cold temps. The other side is trying to manage how much resources we put into winter opportunities as it gets later and later and later."
The River Valley Dutchman Snowmobile Club, which manages 200 miles of trails across Brown County, is usually in the swing of grooming and setting up trails by this point. While signage and markers have been placed, a lack of snow means none of the trails have been groomed for usage yet. RVDSC president Mat Schmiesing said these conditions are not unheard of.
"It happens from time to time. It’s something to go through in Minnesota," he said. "There’s been brown years in the past. [The last one was] four or five years ago."
Schmiesing speculated events like their annual New Year's ride will most likely be canceled as the ground is not cold and hard enough for snowmobiles. Last year, around 100 members rode 150 miles between Essig and Watonwan County. And unless there's enough snow and consistently cold temperatures by early February, their annual Hillclimb competition could be canceled as well.
But it is not all bad news. Schmiesing said for the most part business has been usual for the RVDSC. The club recently completed its youth safety training program, with participants using snowmobiles with wheel kits instead of tread. Even with the lack of snow, Schmiesing said attendance was good and participants dealt with the unorthodox conditions well.
If there's one thing the snowmobile club is wishing for this Christmas, it’s snow and lots of it.
"I’d be happy with 20 degrees and two feet of snow by now," Schmiesing said. "You can’t count on Mother Nature for everything."
At Flandrau State Park, the popular skiing and snowshoeing activities are currently being stopped by the lack of snow and warmer weather. State Park supervisor Maureen Morgan said parkgoers are continuing to use the standard park activities.
"Parkgoers are hiking in the meantime on these same trails," she said. "Camping is an option offered year-round and people are taking advantage. I've always had people come to camp regardless of the conditions. We are also open to picnickers."
Even if snow does come, it doesn't automatically mean skiing and snowshoeing will be available. The right mixture of snow inches, snow type, and ground conditions are needed to ensure these winter activities can be sustained.
While wintry conditions stay away, Morgan said it has provided her staff an opportunity to work on projects. She said these projects, like removing invasive species, would typically have to wait until the spring. The lack of snow is giving them a head start.
From the public, reception to the odd weather is split between the snow and no snow crowds. Renee Hernandez said she has enjoyed the lack of snow. She said usually by this time she would have to find someone to shovel for her, as she is unable to. She did concede snow would be nice to have by Christmas, or January at the latest.
Taylor Otis said no snow thus far has been disappointing. Given it is the holiday season, she believes there's a certain charm missing without snow.
"There’s a lot of people coming home for the holidays," Otis said "You want that old Christmas spirit like you did growing up."
Otis said she was happy she has not had to shovel or deal with icy driving conditions thus far. Even so, a lack of snow means she has not been able to go sledding or visit Mount Kato yet this year. Like Hernandez and many others, Otis hopes snow comes in time for Christmas.