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Howard Park ice trail and pond: South Bend tentatively aims to keep this open through March 17 but could go later if the weather is ideal for it, Director of Recreation Jonathan Jones says.
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Merrifield Ice Rink: Sunday was the Mishawaka rinkâs final day, as this older facility wonât be able to keep ice through the forecast warmth and sun, Aquatics/Ice Director Marissa Gruler says.
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NIBCO Water & Ice Park: This ice ribbon in Elkhart also closed for the season Sunday because of the weather.
A few red-winged blackbirds and a flock or two of sandhill cranes arrived over the weekend. Maple sap was running. Like usual for the start of March.
But it still isnât a usual winter for ski resorts. If it were, the downhill season at Swiss Valley Ski & Snowboard Area in Jones would toast its finale this Sunday â typically a week into March. Instead, spokesman Mike Panich says the resort has booked its âSlush Cupâ contest (a sort of farewell party) for March 14 with the option of staying open even longer if the weather permits and visitors keep coming.
Snowmelt or not, the resort recently looked more like it was ramping up operations, not chilling out, stoked by the momentum from a super-busy season when weekend ski rentals often ran out. Jamie Stafne, who oversees operations, says this seasonâs attendance will surely âblow the record for the past two decades.â