>>> AFTER AN UNUSUALLY WARM WINTER SO FAR, TODAY’S FALLING FLAKES WERE A RELIEF FOR THOSE WHO LOVE OUTDOOR WINTER ACTIVITIES. ELM CREEK PARK RESERVE WAS PARKED FOR THE NORDIC SKI SEASON OPENER. WCCO’S MARIELLE MOHS TALKED TO PEOPLE ENJOYING THE SNOW.
>> Reporter: THE CRUNCH OF FRESH SNOW IS THE SOUNDTRACK OF WINTER IN MINNESOTA. SOMETHING THAT MANY HAVE BEEN MISSING SO FAR THIS DECEMBER. >> THE SNOWFALL AND THE HOT COCOA AND THE SKIING, IT’S LIKE WINTER’S OFFICIALLY BEGUN. >> Reporter: DEFINITELY A FOR
IDEAL KICKOFF TO THE NORDIC SKI SEASON ON SATURDAY AT ELM CREEK PARK RESERVE. IT WAS ENJOYED BY HUNDREDS TODAY INCLUDING HIGH SCHOOL SKI TEAMS. >> GO NORDIC. >> Reporter: FAMILIES WITH SMALL SKIERS AND ADULTS WANTING A WINTER WORKOUT LIKE ALLISON AND LUKE.
>> IT WAS ACTUALLY SNOWING. AND WE’RE SEEING. IT’S GREAT. >> Reporter: THE LACK OF SNOW STRETCHED THEIR OFF-SEASON TRAINING LONGER THAN THEY WOULD HAVE LIKED. >> UNFORTUNATELY. >> UNFORTUNATELY. >> BUT THERE’S OTHER WAYS TO PRACTICE SKIING LIKE ROLLER SKATING AND — RUNNING. HIKING.
>> Reporter: FOR THOSE NEEDING A BREAK AFTER GETTING BACK INTO IT, THE PARK EVEN PROVIDED A MOBILE SAUNA. JUST LIKE THAT. THEN PUSH FORWARD. SOME WISHED THE SKI SEASON COULD HAVE STARTED A LOT EARLIER THAN IT DID. >> A LITTLE DISAPPOINTING
CONSIDERING WE LIKE TO DO THESE OUTDOOR SPORTS LIKE THE CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AND YOU KNOW — DOWNHILL SKIING. >> Reporter: BUT THERE ARE SOME PERKS TO A WARMER WINTER. >> I DIDN’T MISS SHOVELING. >> Reporter: THE SNOW MAY HAVE ARRIVED LATE, BUT AT LEAST IT
MADE IT IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS. >> ALWAYS NICE TO HAVE A WHITE CHRISTMAS. >> YES. ESPECIALLY MINNESOTA. >> Reporter: IN MAPLE GROVE, MARIELLE MOHS, WCCO 4 NEWS. >> THE CHALET AT THE PARK IS NOW OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK
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