[canudigit]

I am so sick of seeing people complain, complain, complain about winter in Michigan on these forums! Gray skies, scraping off the car, blah, blah, blah...soooo...let's talk about what we actually do like about winter in Michigan. Here are my thoughts:

I love how having several months of winter "forces" people to slow down and take it easy. I was thinking about this when I was raking leaves at my in-laws' today. Lawn work year round would really just stink, if you think about it. By having a cold, dormant season, we are forced to take a break and our weekends become ours again!

I love sitting in the nice, warm house and watching the snow fall and blow around outside. It is such a cozy, safe feeling, and it really makes me appreciate my house!

I love spending days with my kids when school is cancelled because of snow. The homework was done the night before, so we can actually spend quality time together relaxing, drinking hot chocolate, and taking turns shoveling the driveway. A big pot of chili or chicken noodle soup makes a perfect finishing touch.

Anyone else have any comments about what is GOOD about winter in Michigan? Trolls, please stay away. We KNOW why you hate winter here already, since we have been reading about it for as long as we have been members of this forum.

[mofromcheboygankalamazoo]

i no longer live in michigan (i MISS it) and this is what i miss about michigan winters:
* the crunch of snow under my feet when i walk...especially at night
* white covering all of the brown
* when the snow sits on top of branches and trees
* sledding with friends
* cross-country skiing
* down-hill skiing
* watching a movie with the lights dim and the blinds open watching the snow fall
* the smell in the air
* snow sparkling under the moonlight
* going to hockey games indoors and out
* cheboygan's parade of lights in december especially when it is lightly snowing out
* staying inside during a whiteout blizzard
* wearing sweaters
* I MISS WINTER IN MICHIGAN!!!!

[JGatti]

I love walking at night during a really HEAVY snowfall. It's so peaceful because so many people are hiding indoors and nobody is driving anywhere.

I also enjoy taking a long hike through the woods up north. Rare that you run into anyone and you can see the deer running through the woods due to the lack of leaves etc.

I no longer have a snowmobile but I miss riding one.

These are in addition to some of the other things mentioned above already.

[michigan83]

I love the cold, clear nights with zero wind, maybe a day or two after a big snowstorm when the high pressure weather system builds in. Shoot, I love those days during the daytime too.

[FESTER]

Here in the U.P. it is:
1. Wood heat
2. No bugs
3. The end

[Sparrow_temp]

Winter Storms.
Lake Effect Snow warnings.

I'm out of MI now but I miss the above. I loved seeing the 1-2 ft snow falls and am hoping there's some in the NW lower during Christmas/New Years when I come visit.

[jeeg]

My wife and I both absolutely love snow!!!
Love playing in it. Love walking/hiking/snowshoeing in it. Love the silent hush that falls over the world after a big snowstorm. Love the way everything sparkles when the sun shines on it. Don't mind driving in it. Don't mind shoveling it. As someone else said, we appreciate the time it allows us to pursue other interests during the dormant season (we're avid gardeners).

[Specialbuddy]

I always take my car out in the first good snow storm. I loved knowing when school was going to be canceled so that I could wake up early and be the first out on the snowmobile trails. My only complaint about Michigan winters is I wish they would stop using salt on the roads. It destroys your car. After spending a winter out of state I've noticed that most 10 year old cars will be rust free without all of the salt. Our car started to rust after 3 years. Michigan is on top of one of the largest salt deposits so I guess it's only natural to use that resource to clean up the roads.

[danielj72]

Deer hunting and tracking in the fresh snow, getting some use out of my 4 wheel drive truck, ice fishing. Watching the mountains of ice build on the great lakes shoreline. Nothing makes a December or January day like a good old fashioned blizzard. Were due for one like 78 eh???? Bring it on

[Tiger Beer]

I don't care for winter at all.

BUt, since this is what you love about it.

I DO love when it actually IS snowing. So beautiful. Unfortunately, it is usually too cold to snow and just had has that fridge/freezer effect.

I also like seeing the shanties out on the lakes with all of the fisherman. Something really cool about that.