Virginia Beach Locals Ski Historical Storm

NBCNews.com

Virginia Beach isn’t exactly ski country. But after a historic snowstorm dumped 12.5 inches of fresh powder, the coastal city briefly transformed into an unlikely winter resort. Locals, more accustomed to surfing than skiing, weren’t about to let the opportunity go to waste. Some dug out old cross-country skis, while others simply improvised. The famous boardwalk turned into a ski trail, with people gliding past shuttered ice cream stands, their skis carving tracks where flip-flops usually tread.

We’re used to hearing about East Coast vs. West Coast skiing, but this? This was oceanfront skiing. Waves crashed in the background as residents shuffled through freshly fallen snow. A few adventurous souls even took to the snow-covered dunes, turning small slopes into makeshift runs.

Virginia Beach hasn’t seen this much snow since 1989, meaning for many, this was their first real snow day ever. An entire generation grew up without the kind of winter fun that’s standard in colder states. For a brief moment, this beach town was home to both surfers and skiers. It may not happen again anytime soon, but for those who traded sand for snow, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience—a ski trip without ever leaving home.