BURNSVILLE, Minn. — If you're looking for something fun to do outside in this warm weather, you have plenty of options.
Managers at Buck Hill say the warm weather is a welcomed change of pace after the bitterly cold temps last week.
“Last week’s cold front was a little bit of a Debbie Downer,” Chief Operations Officer Nate Birr said.
The cold temps last week gave their snow makers the perfect conditions to make a deep snow base, but it wasn’t ideal for skiers and snowboarders.
“When it’s warm like this, people find it more enjoyable to come out,” Birr said.
The warmup couldn’t have come at a better time.
Holiday break is usually their busiest time of the year.
Over in St. Paul, the Glow Holiday Festival at CHS Field was also busy on Tuesday with activity.
“People are still in the holiday spirit,” managing partner Adam Wendle said.
They, too, had a difficult week last week.
“We were closed for a few days due to the extreme cold weather,” Wendle says.
After a week like that, seeing temps in the 30s may seem like a heat wave.
“Our crew won’t have to be battling negative-30 wind chill this week,” Wendle laughs.
Which is good for them when they have to take down a few million lights next week, and good for guests who are looking for a reason to get outside.
Managers at the Ice Castles in New Brighton are also getting ready for the crowds this week. According to their website, ice builders are hoping to have the Ice Castles open to the public starting on New Year’s Eve.
Several ice rinks and sledding hills will also be open this week, and the Festival of Trees is also open at the Mall of America until Jan. 4.
On New Year’s Day, the Minnesota Children’s Museum is offering free tickets for kids, but according to their website, the tickets must be purchased by Friday, Dec. 29.