The 30 Best Things About Winter

Perfect Things

We made our own list of what we love about winter, but it’s always more fun to ask our readers. Using the #OutsidePerfectThings, our Instagram followers shared more than 1,700 snapshots of their favorite cold-weather things. From deep snow and adult sodas to happy dogs and snowy adventures, here are 30 of the top picks.

@tedhesser: Snow bird on a ski pole. Omens of a blue-bird powder day.

Testing Your Tires

@desktoglory: Just wandering about in the snow near Whistler this weekend. Looking forward to hunting down some hot springs next weekend!

Dog Power

@woolandwhiskey_: Afternoon lounge in Banff.

Dead Ends

@tubbsmcgee: Some minor elevation today. #mtbaker #winteriscoming #wheremybiketookme

Podcasts and Puns

@juliawhitten: Enjoying some cereal with my Serial on this fine first of January, 2015.

Big Views

@paddyroc: And it became so clear. It’s all a vast glowing empty page and I without a pen can look on smiling and watch the words. It is a great big sky. #BigSky #Montana #OutsidePerfectThings

Embracing Your Inner Hipster

@lillynprice: Seattle, the land of thick sock-wearing, espresso-drinking, tree-hugging, rain-loving hipsters. I think I like this place.

Fresh Tracks

@chokeonyourmouse: #swag

Warm Winters

@ashleelangholz: camp vibes.

Pond Hockey

@timberlinebanff: Switched up the wood planks for some metal blades to carve up frozen water this morning.

One Big Fridge

@chancekeso: Pretty great view of Rainier today from Mount Ellinor.

Snowy Dogs

@4r3st: #OutsidePerfectThings

A Room With a View

@inthetrees_: A room with a view. You’re kinda cool, Washington. #pnw

Better Selfies

@jballant: A little backflip with my #gopro It was no doubt a good day on the hills.

Yurts

@jonmancusophoto: Night life. #idaho

Next Season

@megmcallister: Working on being thankful for changing seasons and currently missing meadow-napping in #dopesemite.

Dessert

@olsone14: My favorite food.

Soft Falls

@craigmuderlark: I remember building snow forts in the backyard as a child. The excitement of burrowing into the pile of snow and the anticipation of the finished dwelling. Here, I can be a kid again. Playing in snow, imbued with the youthfulness of children. Breaking down skiing into its most fundamental components, it all comes down to this: playing in snow brings out our youth. Giggling, smiling, cold, wet, rosy cheeks, wonder, utter fascination with what the world is offering. Pure joy.

Empty Trails

@dearmchris: Callie and I had a little snow adventure in Warren-Weld Woodland.

The Little Things

@photographermilamayer: Snowflakes are just like us, come in a variety of sizes and shapes.

Family Time

@dpkuras: My 2-year-old son hunts for bears in the caves beneath Yosemite Falls.

Pedal to Pow

@rob__day: So that was fun.

On the Water

@beeleeknapp: Not a bad day in Patagonia.

Closures

@landlecoq: It’s too bad liquor stores are closed on Sundays.

Open Beaches

@karenalinehan: Dog day afternoon on the beach with Mojo.

Chopping Wood

@julieegg: Cody is a regular lumberjack these days helping grandpa clear his land. #outsideperfectthings #longliveidaho

Special Transportation

@karinayeznaian: Gear hauling off Denali. #basecamp #kahiltna

Icy Beards

@paulmwebb: Frosty morning.

Clear Nights

@ourfreeways: We know you enjoy wonderful night and star exposures, so here is another! #stars