Can U.S. Pond Hockey Survive Warmer Winters?

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BY BEN TRACY, SENIOR CLIMATE CORRESPONDENT ON ASSIGNMENT FOR CLIMATE CENTRAL

It has been a winter of extremes across the country. While the Carolinas saw record-breaking snowfall and the East Coast shivered through historic freezes, the West experienced an unusually warm season. In a bizarre twist of meteorology, Florida saw more snow in January than Salt Lake City.

But beneath these headlines, a more consistent and quiet transformation is taking place. Even in the nation’s coldest big cities, the most frigid days of the year are losing their bite—impacting everything from winter fun to fundamental parts of the economy. 

"Hockey the Way Nature Intended"

At the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships in Minneapolis, the atmosphere is electric and exceedingly cold. Amidst the wail of sirens and the rhythmic slap of sticks against the ice, players embrace the brutal conditions of temperatures 5 degrees below zero. 

"No this is heaven," says a player named AJ, unfazed by the cold. 

Tournament Commissioner Scott Crowder describes pond hockey simply: "Frozen lakes, cold winters/hockey skates and a puck. When the stars align it's pretty awesome."

But even in this icy paradise, the climate is shifting. Crowder has noticed that "it’s cold for a couple of days and then it warms up."

In recent years, winter has become an unreliable teammate. "Two years ago, one of the two weekends actually had to be cancelled because of insufficient ice," Crowder recalled.

A Rapidly Warming Season

Data from Climate Central confirms that winter is the fastest-warming season across most of the United States, with the Upper Midwest feeling the heat most acutely. Cities like Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Detroit now experience one to two more weeks of "warm" winter days compared to 1970.

State Climatologist Pete Boulay recently demonstrated the intensity of a true "seasonably cold" day—which sat at about ten below zero—by tossing boiling water into the air to watch it vanish into a frosty mist. However, he says these bone-chilling benchmarks are moving.

"Getting down to minus 20 is a big deal in the Twin Cities now. Not that long ago it would be about minus 30," Boulay explained.

Since 1970, the coldest days in this region have warmed by a staggering 12 degrees. While the precipitation hasn't vanished, its staying power has. "We still get the snow. We just don’t get the cold. So whatever we get doesn’t stay on the ground as long. That’s the biggest change," said Boulay.

The Economic Chill

This lack of "staying power" is more than just a bummer for outdoor enthusiasts; it is a significant problem for a state where snow and ice activities pump nearly $200 million into the economy.

The impact is visible at local businesses like Heinen Motorsports in Osseo, Minnesota. Sales Manager Jordan Deutscher at times has seen snowmobile sales decline by as much as 30% during lean snow years. 

Walking through the showroom, Deutscher pointed out inventory that has been sitting for years due to "lost" winters. Pointing to one model, he joked, "it’s had a couple birthdays." To compensate, ATVs now dominate the showroom floor. When asked why an ATV is more attractive than a snowmobile these days, Deutscher’s answer was simple: "you don’t need snow."

The New Normal

Despite the warming trend, Minnesotans aren't putting away their parkas just yet. Between the colorful characters in fur hats and the die-hard hockey fans, the culture of the North remains resilient.

"It’ll never be nice and toasty. It’s still Minnesota. We’re still going to have winter," Boulay said. "But it might not be the winter you remember."