As the days get shorter and the temperatures continue to drop, the only thought on everyone’s mind is WHERE IS THE SNOW? We’ve been teased with a couple of days where snow began to fall from the sky, but there hasn’t been any significant accumulation. It has, however, sparked some conversations about people’s feelings on snow. I’ve heard it all, from “You’re obviously not from around here if you’re looking forward to snow” to “omg I love the snow!” Here is how I weigh in on the subject.
Coming from Washington State, I’m used to chilly falls and cold winters, so I have had my share of experience with snow. Everything from having a few inches and trying to have a snowball fight with it to being trapped in my house by feet of snow for multiple days. I’ve gone skiing and snowboarding for years, and recently began hiking above the snow point on mountains when there is actually a substantial amount of snow. I have been soaked through from rolling in it, and have built an enormous snowman, and through all of this my opinion has never changed: I LOVE the snow.
Among the common reasons to hate it, the one that comes up the most is that people don’t like the cold. Snow does not exist without temperatures below freezing, and for many people who are either from warmer places or spend most of their time in air-conditioned buildings, the shock from stepping outside often makes them uncomfortable or even worse. For me, however, the cold has never been a bother. I have always been really warm, and if a room is above room temperature I get uncomfortable. That’s why I love the cold, because while I don’t enjoy being hot, I do enjoy being under multiple layers. Being able to wear a long sleeve shirt, jacket, hat and scarf without overheating makes it all worthwhile.
The other most common reason is that everything begins to blend together. A landscape of monochromatic white, where you can’t be outside without squinting or risking a sunburn on your chin does not appeal to many people, but to me it brings a certain level of peace. The level of stillness that is achieved when no person nor thing wants to move makes even an urban environment serene. It brings a whole new dimension to what a place can look like. Snow covering land gives us an opportunity to reimagine lawns or re-visit any outdoor additions to your home. Finally, the satisfaction of the crunch under your feet as you trudge feebly toward a destination, the burning in your legs as every step requires a little more effort makes you remember that everything that you are experiencing is the result of a natural process.
Snow is wonderful. It cleans the slate for a little bit and provides us with an opportunity to gather together for some form of entertainment. With it comes the cold, and many wonderful things like hot chocolate and warm clothes.
