Lonely Snow-Covered City Benefits From Measurable Snow

FINLAND, Minn. - Snowmobilers are flocking up north to one of the only Minnesota towns with snow while typical snowmobile destinations are struggling to get customers in the door. This time of year, resorts near the North Shore are usually filled with cross county skiers and snowmobilers, but recently the scene looks much different. Locals say snowmobile trails along the North Shore are bumpy but rideable, and the lack of snow is killing business. Finland is a top destination trail spot for snowmobile riders, but this year many people have called and cancelled their trips due to lack of snow. "Overall, sales are down about 70-75 percent," said a longtime employee of Our Place in Finland, Bob Buus. On any given day during most winters, you can see 50 snowmobiles parked outside of Our Place, but now there's not even one."Very disappointed, we could use a lot more," said Buus, referring to the amount of snow in Finland. "You get no gas sales, grocery store, motels, everybody is affected by it." Locals say it's nearly impossible to recover from a snowless winter and the best thing they can do is hope for a good summer and pray for snow. About 20 miles up the road in Isabella, there is a solid two feet of snow. Snowmobilers say while the cold is bone chilling, the trails make it all worth it. A crew of fathers and sons made the five hour trip from the Twin Cities to fire up their sleds and ride their secret spot."Conditions are lean back home and around a lot of other places, Minnesota and Wisconsin,” said Rick Germscheid, from Prior Lake. “Sure enough, you take the ride up to this elevation and Isabella and have good snow." Isabella has the highest elevation in Minnesota which means more snow."A lot of it is due to the elevation,” said owner of the Knotted Pine Inn and Tavern in Isabella, Dana Hull. “It sort of trickles in here. Even if it's not forecast, we'll get an inch or two every day." Hull is thankful for her winter wonderland of a location and her guests are just happy to get out and ride."The beautiful trails and going through the woods and, I mean, they're picturesque to ride through these trails," said Germscheid. Despite the non-impressive dustings of snow Minnesota has through most parts of the state, there is snow in Minnesota and it's in Isabella. Isabella typically keeps a rideable amount of snow until April or May. In 2014, the town saw a whopping 219.5 inches of snow.