Growing up in New Hampshire, the winter was an extremely celebrated time. At home, the wood was stacked months in advance, the fire was roaring in the fireplace, and there was a joy sledding down the gigantic snow mound plowed at the end of the driveway. Driving after a snow storm looked like you had stepped right into a movie. After moving to New York for college, I've realized there are quite a few differences in the way winter occurs. There are some things I certainly miss about the winters in New Hampshire (like looking out at a forest covered in snow) and certain things I love about being in New York (seeing the city at the holidays, and not having to roof rake and shovel). Here's a snapshot of some things I've observed.
1. Attire
In New Hampshire and other parts of New England, many guys continue to wear shorts throughout the winter. Though usually accompanied with a hooded sweatshirt or a ski coat. I have actually worn "summer" dresses and knee length or higher skirts during the winter months. The other alternative to winter attire in New England is ski and/or snowboarding attire (snow pants, boots, jacket etc.), as one is always ready to hit the slopes.
In New York, attire is usually a long peacoat or other winter jacket (preferably long and woolen), scarves, gloves, warm boots, warm pants, tights, and really anything that will keep a person warm.
2. Temperature
With New York being usually at least 10 degrees warmer than New Hampshire, when it is cold in New York, I think it's fairly warm. The only difference is in Manhattan the wind whips around the buildings, making it both colder and harder to walk. It is also damper in New York, which goes through your body, making you feel it more. In New Hampshire, if it is zero degrees Fahrenheit, it is zero degrees, unless there's wind, which makes it feel colder. In New Hampshire, when it is above freezing, its practically like spring!
3. Amount
The other factor is how much snow people are used to. Where I grew up we had massive "nor'easters" every winter. This meant when everybody had their wood stacked and ready by October. So when the "nor'easter" only turned out to be a foot or so of snow, the common response would be, "Well, that wasn't a Nor'Easter!" Meanwhile, in New York, a foot is a lot of snow.
4. Melting Methods
There are two ways to create traction and get rid of ice on the roads. Sand and salt. No matter where you are, if the roads are icy, they are dangerous; in New York purely because of the amount of people, in New Hampshire because of the deer and other animals. In New York, the common form of defrosting the roads is road salt, which essentially melts the ice. However, road salt has a downside, as the melt with the salt can end up in the water supply. The alternative is sand. Where I live, all the roads are sanded, although the main state roads are usually salted as well. Sand gives cars the traction they need to work properly. The problem is that as more and more ice develops, the towns aren't getting rid of the ice but only adding sand on top.
5. Winter Activities
New Hampshire's state sport is skiing. I think this says something about the New England states. Skiing and snowboarding are the top two things to do in the winter. Most schools have ski teams, and the majority are taught to ski at a very young age. New Hampshire alone has 16 resorts for Alpine skiing and 18 resorts for Cross Country skiing. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, there is tubing, snowshoeing, ice skating, visiting the ice castles in Lincoln NH, snowmobiling, sledding, and even dog sledding.
Typical New York winter activities include skating, hockey, the Polar Plunge, and the Bryant Park Winter Village, to name a few.
The winter is a magical time where everything, especially right after a snowfall, looks like Narnia. Everything looks clean. I have so many fond memories playing in the snow, making snow angels, building snowmen, sledding down the big mound of snow that lay at the foot of my driveway, and having snowball fights with my friends. So take time this winter to get off your electronics and play in the snow! It's memories in the making!
