Wind chills below zero didn’t stop diehard skiers and snowboarders from heading out to enjoy the powder from Thursday’s blizzard on Saturday.
Skiers and snowboarders hit the slopes at Mount Southington Ski Area despite the brutally cold conditions.
"My cheeks are frozen. I’m cold. But it’s fun. It’s good to be outside. We love the snow," said Woodbridge resident Crystal Dodd.
And they have a lot of fresh powder, after the blizzard dumped about a foot on Southington. But the crowds were sparse with temperatures well below freezing.
The mountain had to scale back some children’s programs. And they’re keeping an eye on staff who have to work outside.
"We rotate them a little more often," General Manager Jay Dougherty explained.
Dougherty said all the recent cold has allowed for a lot of snowmaking.
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And it’s all led to most of the mountain opening earlier than normal.
Now they’re hoping winter enthusiasts come out to enjoy it.
"The brutal cold is going to break a little bit. But all in all, you know, the warm weather is welcomed and hopefully it gets people a little excited to get out," Dougherty said.
Skiing continues until 10. And while it’s cold in Connecticut, our neighbors to the north have it worse. In Vermont some ski areas, including Killington and Jay Peak, shut down Saturday as they faced wind chills around -50.
