Mount Kato reports end-of-season boost after weekend winter storm

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - At Mount Kato, a winter destination for skiing, tubing and snowboarding a weekend snowstorm on Sunday, March 15 has led to an increase in fun for clients with 10 extra inches of snow on the grounds.

Bruce Prehn, a member of the management team at Mount Kato, says that during the latter half of the spring season, the facility’s 57 acres of ski hills and trails are usually covered in manmade snow, which can start to get rougher to use and experience discoloration.

Prehn says a fresh coat of snow can make the experience a lot more fun for guests.

“It’s been a great year for snow, we’ve had a lot of fun. I’m pretty happy with how things have turned out this season,” Prehn said.

On Tuesday, March 17, Mount Kato saw dozens of visitors from across Minnesota and from out of state with families coming from Iowa, Florida, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri to hit the slopes.

Booker Lingenfelter, a 14-year-old from Clarion, Iowa, says that his family drove two hours to take advantage of the weather and take him out for his first time skiing.

Lingenfelter said the extra snow helped add to the experience.

“It’s super smooth out here,” Lingenfelter said.

Mount Kato staff are hopeful the cold weather will allow the snow to stick around long enough to help with its Spring Fling on Saturday, March 21 which will involve gnome hunting, pond skimming and an Easter egg hunt on the grounds.

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