For snow-reliant businesses on the South Shore, the lack of snow last winter was difficult.

Jen Dale, the owner of Wolfsong Adventures in Mushing in Bayfield, says the season was promising at first.

“I would call it the longest mud season I’ve ever had. I remember we got snow around Halloween-ish maybe right after we did get something and we were all like oh great here it comes and then it just warmed up and then it was rain over Christmas and that was awful,” said Dale. “It all turned to ice, and there was nothing I could do to make the trail better. And then it just got warmer and then we had to close down. So I typically average I can run about 15 weeks. I got three weeks.”

Many bookings had to be rescheduled or refunded. Although this was a financial difficulty, Dale says this is not a money-making business. Because of the icy conditions, the dogs were unable to run very often due to the risk of injury.

“This is probably the worst thing that’s ever happened in the history of owning these dogs,” said Dale. “But it probably isn’t the norm, although I do have a realistic mind with how our climate is changing that I’m not going to say we’re never going to get it again. I just know from a business standpoint if we start getting it more frequently, there’s no way I can keep doing this.”

So far, this season is looking better. The dogs have been on the sleds since the end of November thanks to wet, heavy snow and more lake-effect snow since then. Early in the season, the dogs are usually taken to areas with higher elevations due to the increased snow depth.

Although the higher terrain of Bayfield has enough snow, other areas along the South Shore have not been as lucky. Ironwood Chamber of Commerce Director Michael Meyer says there has already been an impact from the warmer weather.

RELATED: Impacts of a lack of snow in Ironwood

“The winter season in Ironwood got off to a very slow start in November but it did perk up at the very first part of December where we had snow about 10 inches for our Jack Frost parade and then it got cold below zero so that the snow cross out at Mount Zion national race had snow and cold so they had a wonderful weekend,” said Meyer. “And then guess what? It started to warm up and right now, our conditions are not great. The snowmobile trails are essentially shut down and we may have five or six inches of snow out there and that’s about it.”

Looking ahead at the local calendar, it is clear that more snow is needed soon. The SISU ski fest will be on Saturday, January 11.

“Last year, the SISU ski race had to be canceled because we had no snow, and unfortunately that’s the second week in January,” explained Meyer. “If we don’t get a bunch of snow before then, that is also in danger being cancelled again. A comfortable amount would be somewhere on the ground of 10 to 15 inches and we don’t have that.” 

The latest forecast details, including more information on the incoming snowstorm, can be found at WDIO.com/weather.