Ringing in the New Year in style - WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, Sports

The celebration of the New Year has played out in different ways. Some stayed inside, away from bitter temperatures, while others embraced them.

"It's nice to get out here and enjoy the snow. We haven't had much in Illinois this year," Christine Stowell of Illinois said.

Managers at Granite Peak ski hill say it's those visitors from out of state that help boost business.

"We have a lot of vacationers from out of town. A lot of kids are off school locally, so it's an important day," Granite Peak Manager Vicki Baumann said.

It was a day that had lots of people cruising down the ski hill.

“Out here with people that are happy and celebrating the new year," Stowell said.

The day off from school isn't so bad either.

"I’m in college, so it's nice to have a break," Jennifer Achs of Illinois said.

"I also like to spend time with my friends and doing something fun and being able to do that without worrying about school," Jillian Hansen of Illinois said.

All the New Year's Day fun wasn’t only being had outside. The water park at the Grand Lodge offers an escape away from those bitter temperatures.

"Here it's 86 degrees. They'd rather be here than the negative degrees outside," Grand Lodge Vice President Kevin McCarthy said.

Families were certainly taking advantage.

"It's too cold, so we decided to come here and be warm and have fun," Debra Roberts of Wausau said.

Inside the park, there was no shortage of either on New Year’s Day.

"It's like you're not in winter," Roberts told Newsline 9.