WAUSAU (WAOW) -
It's been a warm year.
In fact, according to the National Weather Service, 2012
could be the warmest ever for the state.
But that's been difficult for some businesses.
"We're very weather dependent. We have to have snow to have
the trails open for the snowmobiling community, and last year, they were only
open 5 days in our part of the county, so that hurts our business," said Allan
Zahrt, Co-Owner of Pro Motorsports.
Pro Motorsports in Wausau sells snowmobile parts and
accessories.
Zahrt says last year's mild winter was bad for business.
"We probably did about half of what we normally do in a
winter season," said Zahrt.
He hopes for the opposite this winter, and he's not alone.
"We're snowmobilers, and we like to get out there on the
trails and do some riding this year because we only rode once last year, so
very exciting for some snow to come and to get those sleds out and get on the
trails," said Pam Busko of Marathon.
But many hope this winter will be as mild as the last.
"It's so cold here, and I don't like having to get out of
the building and run to my car and be freezing," said Ashley Meharg of
Auburndale.
"I think it's beyond cold in Wisconsin during the winter. I
don't like it too much," said Erica Follen of Marshfield.
And it's not just the cold that bothers them.
"I think it would be a lot safer without the snow definitely
because then people can get from A to B without worrying about sliding all over
the place or ending up in the ditch," added Meharg.
We'll have to wait and see what this winter brings to know
if 2013 will be anything like this toasty 2012.
