WAUSAU (WAOW) -
Many people were out enjoying all the snow, and that's good news for businesses that depend on winter weather.
An owner at Sheperd and Schaller, a winter sporting goods store in Wausau, says the store has been busy with people renting skis and snowboards. The snowstorm was a welcome sight for business.
"We like to think a powder day is the best day to visit the ski shop and get out and go skiing," said Theresa Sheperd. "We're seeing a lot of people coming in to go out and play in the snow."
Owners say people from across the Midwest are stopping in for winter weather wear. Many of those customers were gearing up to go skiing at Granite Peak. Ski officials say the fresh powder was a perfect gift from mother nature.
"Attitudes go up," said Chris Pingel, Granite Peak Snow Sports Director. "It does make a different skiing and riding. You know, everyone likes that soft fluffy, floating feeling of being on that fresh actual snow."
But not everyone got to enjoy the fresh snow. Slippery roads forced some skiers and snowboarders to wait out the storm.
"A lot of people I don't think could get here because of some of the road conditions," said Pingel. "But as that improves I'm sure we will see a whole bunch of people tomorrow ."
Meantime, winter activities at Nine Mile Forest and Sylvan Hill are still closed.
City officials say they hope to open Sylvan Hill for tubing Friday night, and Nine Mile Forest for skiing Saturday morning.
