Another Lackluster Winter Puts Strains On Minnesota + Wisconsin Taverns

The winter of 2023-2024 was the least snowiest year on record for Minnesota. We barely got any, and it led to thousands of people being laid off at bars and resorts across Minnesota and Wisconsin.

No snow is bad for business.

Resorts in Northern Minnesota on the North Shore rely on tourism in the winter months for income. The communities rely on those tourist dollars to keep the economy rolling. One thing that's abundantly clear is that without snow, there aren't tourists.

Fortunately, this year has been not quite as mild, so ski resorts have been able to make their own snow and it's stayed around for the most part. Still, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing haven't been able to happen.

Read More: Minnesota DNR Concerned With Growing Technology + Ice Fishing

I saw a post from a snowmobile club in Northern Minnesota making a plea to their followers that was very similar to last year: please visit these bars and restaurants even if you aren't snowmobiling.

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Most of Minnesota and Wisconsin snowmobile trails are pretty remote. Without these trailside bars and restaurants, there wouldn't be a place to stop, warm up, fuel up, or grab a bite to eat.

So, what can you do to help?

Visit the establishments anyway, regardless of activity.

So if you normally stop once a week snowmobiling at a joint, keep going anyway! I've had some friends last year who came up with the term "No-mobiling." There wasn't enough snow, so they just decided to still get together for lunch and a beverage at their local joint.

Buy gift cards!

If you're someone who usually visits a particular part of the state, call up the bar or resort and buy a gift card. You can use it for next time or use it as a gift. The money now will help the businesses out until conditions change.

Unfortunately, measurable snow isn't in the extended forecast, and with it being almost halfway through January, we only have another 2 1/2 months for snowmobile season.