People who enjoy the outdoor winter activities Winnipeg has to offer said the conditions of this current cold-snap suit them just fine.
"Today they're great. Nice, crisp cold weather, not much wind. The sun is shining. Can't complain,” said snow sculptor Chris Panco as a team worked to create an outdoor movie theatre at The Forks.
Panco said the original plan called for the snow theatre to be carved a week sooner, but the temperatures hovering around the freezing mark made that impossible.
Diners at nearby RAW:almond said the outdoor temperatures add to the atmosphere inside the cozy pop-up restaurant on the river.
"This is what we have to do to get through it. You kind of just have to force yourself out, but it's warm in here so it's fun,” said Sacha Nelson as she sat down for brunch with a group of friends from Toronto.
Those visitors said Winnipeg has delivered the winter chill they expected and they’re impressed by the way people here don’t let the colder days keep them from getting outside.
"Yeah, it's nice to see everyone out. I saw people pushing each other on chairs with skis on them and I like all the ice sculptures out. It's pretty cool,” said Mitch Bates.
“We definitely don't have that much at home,” added Caitlin Harrison.
As the calendar flips to February, Environment Canada’s David Phillips says Manitobans should be prepared for chilly days ahead.
"Just because we've changed the month doesn't mean we're going to get new weather,” said Phillips. “The best models are suggesting what you see is what you're going to get."
Cross-country skier Ted Mickaniec hopes he can take that prediction to the bank after months with little snow and slushy conditions.
"I think February's going to be great. I'm very optimistic and I think it's going to be a great month for skiing,” he said.
When it comes to the city’s favourite outdoor pastimes, it seems some would like to see a long and lustrous end to the season.
