With Thick Ice, Business is as Brisk as the Weather Around White Lake

Not everyone is complaining about the coldest January in recent memory

In White Lake Township, several businesses are seeing an uptick in business as a result of prolonged cold temperatures that make it safe for snowmobiling, ice fishing hockey and other outdoor winter sports, the Oakland Press reports.

Oxbow Lake has 8 inches of ice. That translates to a 30 percent increase in business at Sprader’s on the Lake,

“Having the ice is a huge plus,” proprietor Matt Sprader told the newspaper.

An 8-inch cover of ice is strong enough to accommodate snowmobiles and other off-road vehicles, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. Foot traffic and skating are safe on 5 inches of ice.

Spader’s cheery outlook is being repeated across Oakland County, where there are 450 iced-over lakes.

Ice is 20 inches deep on White Lake, according to the report. Chris Caldwell, manager of White Lake Inn, said the ice cover is “definitely helping us out,” though he wouldn’t complain if temperatures warmed up a bit.

“Sun and high 20s,” he said.

Conditions aren’t expected to change anytime soon. The cold should continue through the first week in February, meteorologists told the newspaper.