Winter is the worst season

Geneseo's main entrance, courtesy of Photo Editor Kate Rodgers

The treacherous, snowy sidewalks of Geneseo.

It seems ironic that the best season, autumn, leads to the worst, winter, as we go from the colorful changing foliage of the trees to no leaves at all. While winter may appeal to some, it seems there is far more to dread than to embrace—Christmas and different holidays celebrate the festivities surrounding the season, but once these have concluded, we’re left with several more months of cold, short overcast days with nothing festive in the near future. 

There are certain activities, like skiing or snowboarding, that allow people to participate in recreational activities during the season, but they come at a cost. While these activities can provide several hours of fun, they still occur during a relatively short portion of the day, leaving the rest of the day a cold, dull reminder of the bitterness of this season. It does not seem worth embracing a six-hour skiing trip to then be left with the remaining eighteen hours of the day filled with dreary weather. While I find myself going on walks regardless of the weather, many people do not engage in anything outdoor activity during the winter seasons and as a result are left trapped in their homes for months on end. 

While this may seem obvious, snow is synonymous with winter—especially in Western New York. Snow temporarily provides picturesque landscapes and scenes completely different from the rest of the year, but there is so much more to find unappealing about its presence. In an area like Geneseo, an already potentially dangerous hilly landscape becomes even worse with ice and slush. The roads go from being navigable lanes to roller coasters for cars. When the snow finally melts, the leftover oiled stained brown slush paints the landscape in filth. 

Along with the already bitter cold, the lack of sun seems to remind us that the trees have no leaves, the grass is brown and animals are hibernating, making us feel as if all life has almost ceased to exist. While a place like Colorado may have similar seasons, they can be distinguished from Western New York because their days are at least filled with plenty of sun.  

While this is not the biggest of deals, it still becomes a hassle to constantly wear heavy, thick clothes during the winter months. There is a heavy coat to remember, boots, a hat or hood and sometimes gloves; all the while the spring, summer, and even early fall require nothing more than a t-shirt and shorts. 

Winter is a season that many gladly look past—an ironic truth, since everyone who lives in New York State or the northeast knows what to expect. Yet every year, there are those who dread its arrival and hope for spring. Regardless, at least winter is the shortest season.