Summer is cool and everything, but winter just hits differently. Honestly, there is no debate. Nothing beats the crisp air, the holiday decorations (unless you are like my neighbor, and put them up in June. How does HOA allow that?), and eating with your loved ones.

First off, winter has snow. Snow is soft, fun to mess around with, and–straight up–snowmen are peak arts and crafts. And when the snow shows up, so do the sleds. Sledding is the perfect activity. I live on this huge hill, and once winter hits, I am out there nonstop. I pick up close to 20 miles per hour, which doesn’t sound like much, but on a sled, it feels wild. I feel like I am in an action movie. I can build ramps, as well. Hitting them gives you this ridiculous burst of dopamine. Yes, there is a chance of back pain, maybe a broken rib if you are unlucky, but it is worth every moment.

And, of course, winter is freezing, so I can whip out my handmade-in-India sweaters. I occasionally wear these to school. They are super comfortable and warm, though they make me look like I am 70.

Cold weather automatically means warm food. There is something immensely calming about sitting by a window on a foggy morning. You are eating something hot, just chilling. You look up and see some poor soul on a motorcycle try climbing an icy hill. He makes it halfway, then slides down. He curses his Harley, claiming he will buy an AWD Kia, like last year, and the year before. Then he tries again. It’s pure entertainment, right there. 

And what goes better with cold weather than warm food; and what goes better with warm food than warm chai. Any beverage works, but I prefer chai. It is also the only thing I can make without committing health code violations, but that is beside the point. 

Another great thing about winter is that the air smells so amazing: very nature-y and fresh. Even though I am talking about snow a lot, it is no secret that Oregon primarily receives rain in the winter –boring rain. BUT! After the rain, when the ground is wet, all the reflections are so gorgeous –the lights, the clouds, the trees… everything reflects. 

Driving in the rain is honestly awesome. Not that I am saying that I, as an unlicensed driver, am driving myself. No, my, um, neighbor is. Definitely. . I do not get a car until my license, and that is still a little more than a year away. But my neighbor, that’s who drives in an abandoned parking lot to test out his project car, and sometimes I can tag along. The rain makes the car lose traction, and that is when the fun begins;because, after all, who does not love a good gymkhana (a style of motorsport where a car does stunts in an empty lot, usually part of an obstacle course within a set time)? 

Finally, my birthday is in winter (January 10, if anyone is wondering), so that is also a solid plus. And don’t forget the most important reason anyone would love winter time: Winter break. Weeks of no school, no classwork, and no horrid, horrid homework. C’mon, that’s a win and the biggest reason to love winter. And for y’all’s who say summer break is longer… technically you are right. I will let you have this one.

Article by Saksham Sinha