Spring has sprung, and fall has fallen. That leaves us with winter. It goes without saying that all Minnesotans can agree that they have a love-hate relationship with the winter. Winter is littered with sub zero temperatures, when it’s too cold to go to school its too cold to go outside. That doesn’t stop the students of Edina High School.

“I like to cuddle up with some hot chocolate in my bed and watch Netflix,” said EHS junior Kristina Pappas. Winter and Netflix have a direct correlation, it’s impossible to turn down the near unlimited variety, and it requires nothing but a computer. Everyone in EHS is guilty of taking a mental health day in the heat of school year to watch their favorite show. Nevertheless, not all days are negative twenty, others take advantage of the season that not every state can enjoy.

Minnesota is the land of ten thousand lakes, and when winter comes around that means we have more hockey rinks than we can handle. Between indoor rinks, flooded park fields, to frozen ponds, any decent Minnesotan will find themselves skating and playing hockey at least a couple of times in the winter months.

“I like winter because it’s a nice change of weather… there’s nothing better on a sunny winter day than a game of pond. It’s better than association hockey because it’s laid back, and can be enjoyed with all of your friends as well as strangers in pickup games,” said EHS junior Patrick Jackson. Popular destinations include Arden Park, Countryside Park, Creek Valley Park, and Lake of the Isles.

Winter makes a strong case for Minnesota’s most beautiful season. It’s a unique time of year where the profound silence of the cold turns walks into periods of reflection. Almost everywhere else in the country, it’s grey, and cold with no snow. To truly enjoy the snow, and how it affects the landscape, I suggest you grab a friend or at least your dog, and take a walk through the abundance of forests in the area. The banks of the Mississippi are especially impressive in the winter.

Inside or outside, sporty or relaxed, the winter is not the end of fun for six months. It’s abundantly clear there’s more to do than Minnesota’s two favorite pastimes, hockey and complaining about the cold. With the right mindset, one can turn winter from Minnesota’s curse into Minnesota’s blessing.