Sports Are Always Better in the Snow
There’s something about snow, particularly the first few snowfalls of the year, that has the power to create a long-lasting memory out of an otherwise ordinary event.
For those of us who grew up in a climate with four distinctive seasons, the white stuff brings back fond childhood memories of that first white Christmas and, of course, all those glorious snow days.
Even if a snow day didn’t come to fruition, staying up late waiting for the snow to start falling was often an event in and of itself. The mere potential for a snow day is an intoxicating prospect for most kids.
Combining the power of nostalgia and the picturesque backdrop snow provides to almost any sport is almost always a winning combination. That’s why sports are always better in the snow!
NFL Football
1 of 24
Date: November 27, 2006
Event: Green Bay Packers vs. Seattle Seahawks
There’s no team or fan base in professional sports that looks more at home in the snow than the Green Bay Packers. Snowy games are rare overall in the NFL, but this is one team that isn’t going to be bothered in the slightest by playing a cold game on the road.
Skiing
2 of 24
Date: January 26, 2013
Event: X Games Aspen
Obviously snow at the Winter X Games is to be expected, but it’s particularly picturesque in the evening up against the lights.
MLB Baseball
3 of 24
Date: May 2, 2013
Event: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Kansas City Royals
Coming from hot and humid Tampa Bay, it’s no surprise Rays' players were in collective awe amid scattered Kansas City snow flurries last May. Definitely an Instagram-worthy photo.
Soccer
4 of 24
Date: March 22, 2013
Event: Costa Rica vs. United States, FIFA World Cup Qualifier
When the U.S. played Costa Rica in a World Cup qualifier in Colorado last March, the forecast was snow…snow…snow…and more snow. It was so snowy that Costa Rica actually asked for a rematch of the game, which the U.S. won 1-0, citing “impossible” conditions.
NFL Football
5 of 24
Date: December 8, 2013
Event: Detroit Lions vs. Philadelphia Eagles
You gotta love a girl who isn't overly impacted by the elements. You know this one probably isn't going to complain about being cold when the heat is on 72.
Horse Racing
6 of 24
Date: February 29, 2012
Event: White Turf Horse Racing in St. Moritz
Unless you have a crippling gambling addiction, there usually aren’t too many surprises in horse racing. Substituting the dirt track for a snowy track makes the sport infinitely more watchable.
Soccer
7 of 24
Date: February 20, 2013
Event: New York Red Bulls vs. Seattle Sounds FC
Seattle is well known for its cold winter rain, which is why snow is probably a welcome change for the Sounders. Anything to dim the brightness of those lime green uniforms is also welcome.
NFL Football
8 of 24
Date: December 7, 2003
Event: Washington Redskins vs. New York Giants
Snowmen. Snow friends. Snowballs. These are just some of the built-in entertainment that comes with a substantial snowfall before a big game.
NHL Hockey
9 of 24
Date: January 1, 2014
Event: NHL Winter Classic, Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings
The NHL’s Winter Classic is, for the most part, a logistical nightmare for pretty much everyone involved. But there’s something about hockey being played outside, particularly in the snow, that makes it all worth it in the end.
NHL Hockey
10 of 24
Date: January 1, 2014
Event: NHL Winter Classic, Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings
This year’s Winter Classic was fit for a postcard, but close up it looks like the players and coaches may have enjoyed it a little less than those of us watching from home.
NFL Football
11 of 24
Date: January 21, 2007
Event: NFC Championship, New Orleans Saints vs. Chicago Bears
Even the dreaded zebras are slightly more palatable when it looks like they’re blowing calls from the confines of a snow globe. Slightly.
Rugby
12 of 24
Date: February 2, 2013
Event: England Saxons vs. Scotland A
Rugby in the snow is crazier than any other sport because nothing seems to change. They’re still wearing shorts, short sleeves and, except for a couple of dudes wearing hats, no other weather specific gear. All that suffering for a game that probably ended in a tie.
MLB Baseball
13 of 24
Date: April 6, 2007
Event: Seattle Mariners vs. Cleveland Indians
Baseball is primarily a warm weather affair that many of us associate with the dog days of summer. Not much else going on in early August! That makes snow at a game all the more memorable on the rare occasion it happens.
NFL Football
14 of 24
Date: January 19, 2002
Event: AFC Divisional Playoff, New England Patriots vs. Oakland Raiders
This is actually one of the more memorable games in NFL history because of the infamous tuck rule situation that screwed the hell out of the Raiders. Something tells me the snow doesn’t make this one any better for those folks.
Freeskiing & Snowboarding
15 of 24
Date: December 20, 2013
Event: U.S. Snowboarding and Freeskiing Grand Prix
If you like fresh powder on the slopes, there’s no better time to get out there than when it’s actually snowing. Perfect conditions—minus visibility!—and snowflakes on your tongue to keep you hydrated.
NFL Football
16 of 24
Date: December 8, 2013
Event: Minnesota Vikings vs. Baltimore Ravens
Can’t say for certain, but it looks like the Ravens’ Michael Oher, Marshal Yanda and Gino Gradkowski are taking a moment to soak in an unforgettable sight. Games that snowy in the NFL are relatively rare.
Polo
17 of 24
Date: January 30, 2009
Event: The Cartier Polo World Cup On Snow
Polo, the sport of kings, brought to you by Cartier, diamonds. Honestly, the snow is the only thing good about this whole thing.
Soccer
18 of 24
Date: March 22, 2013
Event: Costa Rica vs. United States, FIFA World Cup Qualifier
Team Costa Rica may have thought the conditions in Colorado were impossible, but it looks like USMNT fans were loving every second of it.
NASCAR
19 of 24
Date: March 25, 2006
Event: Sharpie Mini 300
Actually, racing cars in the snow sounds like it would be pretty dangerous, so NASCAR probably isn’t better in the snow. But it’s better when it’s delayed by snow and the drivers can’t resist making a few snow angels.
College Football
20 of 24
Date: December 4, 2010
Event: Pittsburgh vs. Cincinnati
The bright white snow dusting the Pitt Panthers’ mascot really brings out the yellow and green in its deranged and menacing looking eyes.
Golf
21 of 24
Date: February 11, 2012
Event: The Chivas Snow Golf Championship
If you were completely unaware that snow golf, let along a snow golf championship, was an actual thing—join the club. That being said, it looks pretty epic. The PGA should consider a snow event like this as a cheap ratings ploy.
Tailgating
22 of 24
Date: December 26, 2010
Event: Montreal Canadiens vs. New York Islanders
Let’s face it, everyone loves starting a fire—it’s a defect in human DNA. Unfortunately, starting fires in public places is generally frowned upon...unless it’s snowing. Then it’s a functional fire and, therefore, right as rain.
NFL Football
23 of 24
Date: January 3, 2010
Event: Indianapolis Colts vs. Buffalo Bills
Playing the Bills in Buffalo a few years ago, the Colts were all reminded how lucky they are to call the cozy confines of Lucas Oil Stadium home. It’s pretty as a picture, but you know they must be freezing!
MLB Baseball
24 of 24
Date: March 12, 2013
Event: New York Mets vs. Minnesota Twins
Mets' slugger David Wright looks like a kid on Christmas morning looking up at the light snow.
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