I live just a fuzz North of Grand Rapids, Michigan. It’s 30 degrees outside, and the snow is falling just enough to blanket the ground. Ski hills across the Midwest let out a collective cheer as they fired up their snow guns before Thanksgiving—some area already turning their lifts. After a string of late starts to winter, this feels like a much-needed shift.
Last year, I wrote about our “Brown Decembers” and what they mean for Midwest winter culture (you can read the article in this issue). For now, though, we’ve got a white December, and I’m cautiously optimistic it’ll stick around. I hope it does. I hope we get a good, hard winter—the kind where we’re skiing, riding, snowshoeing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, ice climbing, and fat biking well into March. For those of you summer lovers, hear me out…
Winter isn’t just a playground for those of us who love bundling up and frolicking in the snow (or an economic boost for the businesses that depend on us frolickers). It’s vital to our ecosystem. Winter freezes the soil, preserving nutrients and resetting the agricultural cycle for spring. Without enough ice cover on the Great Lakes, coastal erosion worsens. For many of our lakes and rivers, snowfall is a major contributor to water levels. And let’s not forget how a lack of snowpack and cold affects our traditions, from snow sports to simple joys like building a snowman or spotting frosted evergreens on a quiet walk.
Love it or hate it, winter is woven into the fabric of the Midwest outdoors. We don’t just endure it—we embrace it. The National Ski Association (now U.S. Ski & Snowboard) was founded in Ishpeming, Michigan, back in 1905. Muskegon, Michigan, gave us the Snurfer, the precursor to modern snowboarding. Caberfae Peaks, near Cadillac, Michigan, still operates as one of the oldest ski resorts in the U.S., with roots going back 87 years to a rope tow powered by a Ford Model A. And if that’s not enough, Ray H. Muscott of Waters, Michigan, patented the first snow vehicle design in 1916. Even our Great Lakes surfers thrive on winter’s icy waves, with the season’s storms creating some of the best conditions.
To celebrate the Midwest outdoors is to celebrate winter. So, if you’re not already in on the fun, find your thing. Whether it’s strapping on skis, fishing through the ice, hitting a fat bike trail, or simply walking under a snow-filled sky, winter can be magical. Take a stroll on a dark, starry night, when the snow is falling softly, and the bare trees reveal a world at rest. It’s a reminder that even in the coldest, darkest months, beauty is everywhere—if you’re willing to step outside and see it.
Here’s to making the most of the season. Let’s hope it stays.
