Welcoming The First Snow of the Season
On feeling excitement — not dread — during a wintry blast
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On a wintry walk yesterday in Confederation Park
It’s here! After an unbelievably long autumn, many places in Alberta are in the midst of their first blast of winter. And we’re not talking a few cms of the white stuff to ease us into the coldest season. No, our first snow of the season has come on strong — as in snowfall warnings, well-below seasonal temperatures and high windchills.
Soooo, amid all that, why are we sharing news of this first snow of the season with excitement rather than dread? Read on for our reasons, which we hope will help you welcome the snow too. And add your thoughts in the comments — how are you welcoming the first snow of the season?
Winter is a hard season, for so many reasons. It’s cold, it’s dark, it’s uncomfortable, it’s long. So wherever possible, we recommend finding/creating/embracing the bright bits. And to make it easier for yourself, don’t reinvent the wheel — return to those same simple joys again and again — and brand it a tradition so you remember it.
Here’s an example. Have you ever heard Hawksley Workman’s The First Snow of the Year? It’s a cheerful song that you can’t not smile at. For Cailynn, when that first snow is falling, instead of dreading all that awaits (hairy winter driving, freezing fingers and toes, poor snow clearing on city sidewalks, a toddler who hates layering, etc.) her tradition is to listen to this joyful song and take a little time to feel excited. It’s that simple.
Another tradition we’ve embraced in recent years is winter film tours. These in-person events are usually held in October or November, featuring films, speakers and swag, all intended to get you stoked for what’s to come. There’s something about being in a room full of people pumped for the cold and snow that is contagious.
We have tickets to the upcoming MEC x POW Canada Season Opener and the Arc’teryx Winter Film Tour in Calgary, plus this week there’s a First Tracks Winter Kick Off event at Banded Peak Brewing in Calgary that’s being held outside on the patio, with retro ski outfits encouraged. It’s heartening to see a growing list of small events dedicated to celebrating winter. (And speaking of embracing winter, check out our past post on why cities that get snow need winter mayors.)
Another big reason why we welcome the first snow of the season is that it gets us thinking of what’s next… in our case, ski season!
We highly recommend having a regular activity to look forward to outside during the winter, whether that’s skiing, skating, sledding, snowshoeing, winter cycling, winter snacks, enjoying the silence and beauty of winter walks, or joining others for a drink on a patio — à la Edmonton’s Polar Patio Club.
Those are a few reasons why we’re excited about the first snow of the season, and all that’s to come this winter. Let us know if — and how — you’re welcoming the first snow of the season in the comments.
