This may not have been your favorite year if you love winter activities. While big snowfalls and cold temperatures in January brought joy to ice anglers, snowmobilers, and other winter recreation enthusiasts, it was short-lived as the season was only days old when warmer temperatures made those activities unsafe or impossible. Both Peninsula State Park Superintendent Eric Hyde and Potawatomi State Park Erin Brown-Stender pointed to last year’s mild winter as why they saw their attendance numbers dip for a second consecutive year. Destination Door County’s Jon Jarosh says he feels for the businesses that depend on the cold weather for their bottom line. His tone was positive, however, saying the lack of snow, ice, and cold may encourage others not suited for most winter recreation activities to drive up and down the peninsula and walk around.

Jarosh pointed to last weekend’s Fish Creek Winterfest is an activity people may have gotten a chance to participate in because the weather canceled their previous plans. The National Weather Service is predicting another mild week with high temperatures staying above the freezing mark.