South Whidbey got a healthy dose of snow this weekend, which led to fun for some and troubles for others.

South Whidbey Fire/EMS spent much of Saturday, starting at about 2 a.m., responding to emergency calls ranging from downed trees that blocked roads or felled power lines to car accidents and a marine rescue, according to Deputy Chief Mike Cotton.

“They’re everywhere,” said Cotton, of the district’s responders.

The marine rescue occurred shortly before noon following a 9-1-1 call of a sailboat in distress in Saratoga Passage. The district dispatched its new rescue boat, the Salish Responder, and boat battled through 25-knot winds and 4-foot seas to reach the tiny sailboat, which was located between Camano Island and South Whidbey Harbor.

Following a slow tow to the marina, a shivering Kurt Mitchell of Seattle bellowed “Thank you” to his rescuers in the Salish Responder and emergency medical personnel waiting on the dock.

“I was crazy,” said Mitchell, of the conditions on the water.

The man was the only occupant aboard the boat, a Neptune 24. Due to a previous and unconfirmed medical condition, however, Mitchell was unable to communicate his intended  destination or his point of origin. First responders initially believe he was hypothermic, but he said that his communication problems were from a pre-existing condition.

What was clear was that Mitchell was grateful for the tow — his engine was having problems — and was happy to be tied up safely at the marina and sipping a warm cup of coffee.

The snow, accompanied by strong winds, were also responsible for a host of power outages, but most on the South End appeared to be temporary. Central Whidbey was not so lucky. Homes in the Race Road lost power at about 1 p.m. and the lights, and heat, didn’t come back on until about 9 p.m.

But not everyone had such a rough time with the frigid weather. A host of adventurers braved the cold to go sledding at Community Park. The runs were steep, but parents and children alike bombed the slopes again and again. Some stood like surfers, others tobogganed in teams; everyone had fun.

Many others seemed content just to enjoy the temporary winter landscape, taking walks with family through Langley.

“It’s just beautiful,” said Nan Stephens, a visiting Seattle resident who was walking Second Street with her husband Ken.

As of Tuesday, snow was still on the ground and delayed the start of schools by two hours, according to the South Whidbey School District.