While climate shouldn't necessarily play into a student's decision as to where to attend college, there's a lot to be said about the classic beauty and serenity of the snow-covered campus.
Of course, there are also downsides to a school that has more traditional seasons — mostly the cold temperature. But things like snowball fights and ski slopes should more than make up for a little chilliness.
From easy access to top slopes to great winter traditions, here are the 10 best colleges to get a true winter experience.
Dartmouth College — Hanover, New Hampshire
Dartmouth hosts an annual Winter Carnival featuring ice skating and polar bear swims, which the school describes as"a welcome break from the cold, grayness of winter term."
The school also offers a number of winter-themed PE classes, including skiing lessons — read about one California-native student's first-time experience on the slopes here.
Montana State University — Bozeman, Montana
As one MSU alum — and professional skier — tells ESPN, "Many professors adhere to the 10-inch rule— it's OK to miss class, granted you're doing all right in school, if it snows over 10 inches."
For people more interested in learning about the wonders of winter, one ski blog points out that MSU geography professor Karl Birkeland is also the director of the Forest Service National Avalanche Center.
Columbia University — New York, New York
While Columbia is unlikely to feature the natural snow-covered beauty of a more rural school, the New York City university welcomes in winter every year by lighting the trees that surround its entranceway.
Following the tree lighting, students parade a Yule Log around campus while singing seasonal carols — a tradition that dates back to before the Revolutionary War.
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