With January in full swing and the holidays over, we get a real dose of reality...it's winter for the next 11 weeks or so. If you don't enjoy winter sports, the "Winter Blahs" can set in. But there are ways to beat those Winter Blahs.
January is certainly acting like January in Central New York, and with the extreme cold temperatures, we would like to share some thoughts on cold weather hypothermia. Many of you work outside or enjoy outdoor winter sports and recreation, so it's important not to get over exposed in the cold.
Old man winter gave us a healthy dose of the white stuff recently, a blessing for winter sports enthusiasts still haunted by the memory of last years mostly snowless season. Snowmobilers, skiers, snowboarders and sledders will be out in full force this weekend and safety--especially for the kids--should be of paramount concern. How about some safety tips before putting that sled down on the top of the hill.
Winter sports enthusiasts as well as winter oriented business owners have been biting their nails worried that we might have a repeat of last winters sparse snowfall. Those fears have been easednys ski conditions with the first significant snow fall of the season which, according to their website, is allowing Woods Valley Ski Area to open today.
While many local residents are dreaming of a white Christmas area businesses that rely on snow to fuel their profits are becoming concerned. Last years mild winter put a strain of merchants who service the needs of winter sports enthusiasts as well those who supply basic snow removal essentials such as shovels, roof rakes and heating supplies like wood and pellet stoves. Some business owners are beginning to worry about a repeat.
The weather has turned cooler and soon we will be transitioning to winter. If you are a snowmobiler and would like to look ahead to those frosty days on the trail then head to the Big East Powersports Show at the OnCenter Convention Center in Syracuse today. What can you expect to see?
To some people the mild winter of 2011-12 is a blessing but to snowmobile enthusiasts and those whose businesses depend on them it had been a nightmare. In a report filed by WKTV.com the head of the New York State Snowmobile Association, Gary Broderick, said that the lack of snow has had an economic ripple effect.
The USA Luge relay team with Remsen's Erin Hamlin took the silver medal at today's World Cup competition in Germany. According to USA Luge Erin recorded the second fastest time among women singles competitors in the relay event while teammate Chris Mazder finished third among the men. The other two members of the team, Christian Niccum and Jayson Terdiman, manned the doubles sled to complete the relay. Erin also competed in the women's singles event.
Who says there's nothing to do in winter? There's plenty of hockey action, outside in the Adirondacks, with the return of the Adirondack Ice Bowl to Inlet.
It has been a very slow start to the winter sports season with snowmobilers and skiers hoping in vain for a healthy dose of the white stuff but it appears that wait is over. With most of Central New York expecting several inches of snow and colder temperatures over the next few days the area's ski center's can give their snow making machines a break and count on Mother Nature for some of the real thing. Most of the ski slopes are reporting improved conditions.
We in upstate New York usually consider winter to be whenever the first significant snowfall occurs but this year, absent any measurable snow, we have to let the calendar do the talking. Tomorrow, December 22, is the winter solstice with the season officially arriving at 12:31 EST. Although some people hate the cold weather months there are others who revel in outdoor activities like skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling.
The Utica-Rome area has had its share of successful professional athletes. Utica's Dave Cash and Will Smith, Rome's Archi Cianfrocco and Ilion's Boots Day come readily to mind. Now there is another name to add to that list, Clinton's Nick Palmieri of the NHL's New Jersey Devils.
