Northwoods businesses welcome snowfall and cold weather as winter tourism season heats up

LAKEWOOD (WLUK) — Business owners in the Northwoods are saying, “Let it snow!”

Winter Storms Aurora and Beau, and the impending Winter Storm Clara, have been nothing but good news for Northeast Wisconsin businesses that depend on lots of snow and cold weather.

Winter Storms Aurora and Beau, and the impending Winter Storm Clara, have been nothing but good news for Northeast Wisconsin businesses that depend on lots of snow and cold weather. (WLUK)

This is especially true, given that it’s no secret a lack of significant snow has negatively impacted Northwoods businesses in recent years.

“The last few winters have been kind of really bad. A lot of people up here have struggled because businesses cut hours when we don’t have the snow, because then there’s nobody really coming up here in the winter,” said Pattie Henderson, an employee at the Lakewood BP. “I hate the cold and I hate the snow, but this community really, really needs it.”

But with temperatures dropping and snow falling, business is heating up.

Mike Rzepka is the president of the Lakewood Area Chamber of Commerce. He said, “I just saw on the weather report, they’re talking between tonight through Wednesday, four to seven inches. That will help greatly. That’ll kickstart everything.”

Lakewood Motorsports is just one place already feeling the difference from the December chill.

According to owner Greg Weyers, “It’s starting to pick up now that people are getting excited about seeing some snow on the ground. It’s been a bad couple of years. A little bit then, but snowmobilers are an optimistic crowd, and I think this year may be rightfully so.”

TJ Kerscher from Paul Bunyan Ski Hill agrees. While there’s already about five inches of snow on the ground, the below freezing temperatures are helping to fuel the snowmaking machine.

After lackluster winters, with no significant snowfall, Paul Bunyan Ski Hill is taking advantage of the cold and snowy start to December. The ski hill has had it snow making machines running for two weeks and it builds a base for skiers. The hill anticipates opening on Dec. 20th. (WLUK)

Kerscher said, “The weather has been absolutely cooperating the past couple weeks. This is the most snow we have been able to make, honestly, for the biggest stretch that we could do since we started this whole project. And the snow out here is endless. The whales just keep piling up as days go on here.”

If conditions stay the way they are, the ski hill is forecasting a Dec. 20 opening. Snowmobile trails might not be too far behind.

“A lot more people come up to this area. The ski hill is more busy that way. And if it does snow and the snowmobile trail is open, it’s really, really busy up here, which will really benefit the ski hill and every business up in this area,” added Kerscher.