Pleasant weather stirs Minnesotans to enjoy remainder of 2022 outdoors

After last week’s winter storm and frigid temperatures, Minnesotans are taking advantage of the warm-up outdoors on New Year’s Eve.

Hundreds of Minnesotans went to the Roseville Oval on Saturday to welcome the new year on ice.

“We’re loving it. We just came to the Twin Cities to experience the outdoors and the city,” Justin Wirth, ice skater, said.

The Wirth family came to the rink ready to lace up their skates and glide into the new year.

Some skaters hit the ice for the first time.

“I haven’t really skated in a long time, and I don’t have a lot of experience,” Olivia Schmittdiel, ice skater, said.

John Schmittdiel, Olivia’s grandpa, showed her the ropes at the rink.

“It’s great because the weather couldn’t be better. It’s perfect weather for skating, and the sun is trying to break through,” John said.

After below-zero temperatures swept through the state last week, some skaters are giving Mother Nature another chance to make up for it before the year ends.

“Mother Nature is redeeming herself, although people growing up in Minnesota, we skate when it’s 10 below,” John said.

The Roseville Oval is open on New Year’s Day. The first open-skate outdoor session of the day is from noon to 2 p.m.