The warm weather has come much earlier than normal in Minnesota and many people at Benilde-St. Margaret’s has mixed feelings about what to make of it. There are many different winter activities that have been put on hold, or just thrown to the side. But on the other side, spring sports have been getting in full swing earlier than normal.
Minnesota is known as the state of hockey, and BSM has always had a strong hockey presence. BSM students love to get out at local outdoor rinks or on frozen lakes and play some pond hockey. For a majority of the winter, the ice has not been thick enough for safe pond hockey play so BSM students have not wanted to risk going out on lakes. “My favorite outdoor winter activity is pond hockey. I love to get outside with my friends and skate around in the nice cool air. I love how smooth ice feels on a chilly January night, but it has been tough to get out this winter because the ice has not stayed frozen for very long.” senior Elliott Laukka said.
My favorite outdoor winter activity is pond hockey. I love to get outside with my friends and skate around in the nice cool air. I love how smooth ice feels on a chilly January night, but it has been tough to get out this winter because the ice has not stayed frozen for very long.”
— Elliot Laukka
BSM students also love spending their time at Highland Hills in Bloomington. Highland Hills has many different skiing and snowboarding slopes, along with a terrain park where the more experienced skiers and snowboarders pull off many different kinds of flips and tricks. When snow is falling at a premium like it has been this winter, Highland is able to create its own fake snow when the temperature allows. This still has been a challenge. Many Highland regulars say how they like real snow better. “Highland makes their own snow, so I can still ski but it’s not as good as skiing on actual snow. It’s just so much cooler when it’s all snowy outside.” senior Ryan Bruer said.
Looking at the other side of the short winter, spring seems to be coming much earlier than students are used to. This means that spring sports could be in motion much sooner than expected. Anyone who has ever been involved in a spring sport knows that the season always feels super rushed. It is the shortest out of the three by a long shot, but this warm weather has BSM students very optimistic about getting outside earlier than normal. “I enjoy playing golf outside. Hopefully, I will be able to get out during March or April depending on how the weather is, but May will be when it’s best.” senior Charlie Moen said.