“All Heaven and Earth,
Flowered white obliterate…
Snow…unceasing snow”
Nicola here! Are you currently wrapped up warm against the weather or one of the lucky ones basking in the heat of summer? Here in the northern hemisphere it was a modest –4 degrees Celsius when I took the dog out this morning, which I’m told is about 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
The threat of “snowmaggedon” in the US and the polar vortex here in the UK has had people rushing to share bodily warmth. No one seems to want to be snowed in alone.
Now as those of us who read and write romance know, there is nothing new about the aphrodisiac effects of snow, but now that snowmance has gone online it's become even more popular.
The Urban Dictionary defines a snowmance as:
The brief but intense relationship formed between strangers undertaking similar acts in the snow. This 
could encompass the respectful nod between two people “suicycling”, talking to neighbours you have never spoken to as you shovel driveways, or asking the man beside you if he wants to grab a beer after pushing a stranded motorist's vehicle.
I imagine lots of us have had experiences like that. The snow brings people together and forms a bond between them.
So when Snowmageddon threatened there were lots of advertisements for a “snow buddy.” Adverts ranged from: “Wanted: a blizzard boyfriend” to “I am looking to be your knight in shining armour during the blizzard” to “Snow day cougar looking for a hot cub.” The inducements on offer included films, cookies, vodka, snowball fights, igloos, woolly blankets, open fires and hot chocolate. It’s all very seductive!
Why is snow such an aphrodisiac? Well, for a start it’s very pretty. It makes almost any landscape look beautiful even if normally it isn’t. Snow brings with it elements of magic and fantasy and transformation. There is the prospect of adventure and excitement.
In terms of amorous impact as well, snow is powerful, elemental and sometimes there’s nothing we can do about it other than hunker down and keep warm. There’s a blanketing silence all around. We feel gratitude that we are safe and warm. In fiction it’s a great way to bring people together and keep them isolated from the outside world. Many, many books and films have wonderfully romantic snowy scenes. There’s an enforced closeness about being snowed up that can accelerate a relationship and make it much more intense, making people rely on each other, work together and open up to one another. And there’s also something far more romantic about snow than most other elements of the weather. Sleet is just cold and wet rather than pretty!
Of course there can also be consequences. In the February of 1947 in England thousands of people were cut 
off by snowdrifts up to 20 feet deep. The following November had the highest birth rate for 15 years. I myself am a “snow baby,” the result of one of the long, dark cold winters of the 1960s! Most snowmantic relationships are fleeting and when the thaw sets in the romance fades. But for some it can be the start of something that lasts long after the snow has melted.
Who would you like to spend a snow day with? Would you rather be cuddled up with a loved one or with a good book and a hot chocolate? And do you have any favourite snowmances in films or literature?
Love the though of all those ‘snow babies’ out there.
This last winter (in Australia) we took our 5yo to ‘the snow’ for the first time (a very long way from snowmaggedon – more like a 2 hour drive to get to a mountainous area where there’s just enough snow over several weeks for cross country skiing). She was absolutely the best person to spend an Australian style snow day with. Nobody does snow like a young child discovering snow for the first time!
Love the though of all those ‘snow babies’ out there.
This last winter (in Australia) we took our 5yo to ‘the snow’ for the first time (a very long way from snowmaggedon – more like a 2 hour drive to get to a mountainous area where there’s just enough snow over several weeks for cross country skiing). She was absolutely the best person to spend an Australian style snow day with. Nobody does snow like a young child discovering snow for the first time!
Love the though of all those ‘snow babies’ out there.
This last winter (in Australia) we took our 5yo to ‘the snow’ for the first time (a very long way from snowmaggedon – more like a 2 hour drive to get to a mountainous area where there’s just enough snow over several weeks for cross country skiing). She was absolutely the best person to spend an Australian style snow day with. Nobody does snow like a young child discovering snow for the first time!
Love the though of all those ‘snow babies’ out there.
This last winter (in Australia) we took our 5yo to ‘the snow’ for the first time (a very long way from snowmaggedon – more like a 2 hour drive to get to a mountainous area where there’s just enough snow over several weeks for cross country skiing). She was absolutely the best person to spend an Australian style snow day with. Nobody does snow like a young child discovering snow for the first time!
Love the though of all those ‘snow babies’ out there.
This last winter (in Australia) we took our 5yo to ‘the snow’ for the first time (a very long way from snowmaggedon – more like a 2 hour drive to get to a mountainous area where there’s just enough snow over several weeks for cross country skiing). She was absolutely the best person to spend an Australian style snow day with. Nobody does snow like a young child discovering snow for the first time!
That sounds lovely, Shannon! The best fun you could possibly have. I do think watching children and dogs enjoying the snow is great!
That sounds lovely, Shannon! The best fun you could possibly have. I do think watching children and dogs enjoying the snow is great!
That sounds lovely, Shannon! The best fun you could possibly have. I do think watching children and dogs enjoying the snow is great!
That sounds lovely, Shannon! The best fun you could possibly have. I do think watching children and dogs enjoying the snow is great!
That sounds lovely, Shannon! The best fun you could possibly have. I do think watching children and dogs enjoying the snow is great!
Can’t imagine the atmosphere of being snowbound. It’s been 30C and thunderstorms here in Perth Australia, today. It is never cold enough to snow – there is no where that is easily accessible where it snows nearby. I have only seen snow once. I do like to read a snowmance, but hadn’t thought of real life consequences of being snowbound!
Can’t imagine the atmosphere of being snowbound. It’s been 30C and thunderstorms here in Perth Australia, today. It is never cold enough to snow – there is no where that is easily accessible where it snows nearby. I have only seen snow once. I do like to read a snowmance, but hadn’t thought of real life consequences of being snowbound!
Can’t imagine the atmosphere of being snowbound. It’s been 30C and thunderstorms here in Perth Australia, today. It is never cold enough to snow – there is no where that is easily accessible where it snows nearby. I have only seen snow once. I do like to read a snowmance, but hadn’t thought of real life consequences of being snowbound!
Can’t imagine the atmosphere of being snowbound. It’s been 30C and thunderstorms here in Perth Australia, today. It is never cold enough to snow – there is no where that is easily accessible where it snows nearby. I have only seen snow once. I do like to read a snowmance, but hadn’t thought of real life consequences of being snowbound!
Can’t imagine the atmosphere of being snowbound. It’s been 30C and thunderstorms here in Perth Australia, today. It is never cold enough to snow – there is no where that is easily accessible where it snows nearby. I have only seen snow once. I do like to read a snowmance, but hadn’t thought of real life consequences of being snowbound!
When snow is such a familiar part of life, even if we don’t see it that often, it’s difficult to imagine what it must be like never to have experienced it. Thank you for the comment, Carolyn!
When snow is such a familiar part of life, even if we don’t see it that often, it’s difficult to imagine what it must be like never to have experienced it. Thank you for the comment, Carolyn!
When snow is such a familiar part of life, even if we don’t see it that often, it’s difficult to imagine what it must be like never to have experienced it. Thank you for the comment, Carolyn!
When snow is such a familiar part of life, even if we don’t see it that often, it’s difficult to imagine what it must be like never to have experienced it. Thank you for the comment, Carolyn!
When snow is such a familiar part of life, even if we don’t see it that often, it’s difficult to imagine what it must be like never to have experienced it. Thank you for the comment, Carolyn!
I heard about the snowbuddies adverts on Saturday on the radio, and I laughed a lot at the thought of snuggling in Boston or NYC. Just who asks and who accepts?
When I think of snow, I bring to mind Judy Collin’s Both Sides Now. I’ve seen and felt the romance of snow and stillness. But then there’s the shoveling, the power outages, and sliding on the roads. Fortunately, where I live, life slows to a crawl when there’s more than an inch of snow. Life is perfect when I don’t have to go to work, the snow is beautiful, and I have a good book. Just saying, my snowbuddy would have to like to read.
I heard about the snowbuddies adverts on Saturday on the radio, and I laughed a lot at the thought of snuggling in Boston or NYC. Just who asks and who accepts?
When I think of snow, I bring to mind Judy Collin’s Both Sides Now. I’ve seen and felt the romance of snow and stillness. But then there’s the shoveling, the power outages, and sliding on the roads. Fortunately, where I live, life slows to a crawl when there’s more than an inch of snow. Life is perfect when I don’t have to go to work, the snow is beautiful, and I have a good book. Just saying, my snowbuddy would have to like to read.
I heard about the snowbuddies adverts on Saturday on the radio, and I laughed a lot at the thought of snuggling in Boston or NYC. Just who asks and who accepts?
When I think of snow, I bring to mind Judy Collin’s Both Sides Now. I’ve seen and felt the romance of snow and stillness. But then there’s the shoveling, the power outages, and sliding on the roads. Fortunately, where I live, life slows to a crawl when there’s more than an inch of snow. Life is perfect when I don’t have to go to work, the snow is beautiful, and I have a good book. Just saying, my snowbuddy would have to like to read.
I heard about the snowbuddies adverts on Saturday on the radio, and I laughed a lot at the thought of snuggling in Boston or NYC. Just who asks and who accepts?
When I think of snow, I bring to mind Judy Collin’s Both Sides Now. I’ve seen and felt the romance of snow and stillness. But then there’s the shoveling, the power outages, and sliding on the roads. Fortunately, where I live, life slows to a crawl when there’s more than an inch of snow. Life is perfect when I don’t have to go to work, the snow is beautiful, and I have a good book. Just saying, my snowbuddy would have to like to read.
I heard about the snowbuddies adverts on Saturday on the radio, and I laughed a lot at the thought of snuggling in Boston or NYC. Just who asks and who accepts?
When I think of snow, I bring to mind Judy Collin’s Both Sides Now. I’ve seen and felt the romance of snow and stillness. But then there’s the shoveling, the power outages, and sliding on the roads. Fortunately, where I live, life slows to a crawl when there’s more than an inch of snow. Life is perfect when I don’t have to go to work, the snow is beautiful, and I have a good book. Just saying, my snowbuddy would have to like to read.
Shannon, I’d love to know how those snowmancers got on!
We had snow this morning and it was great whilst I was inside and it looked pretty but then I had to go out and the roads were icy. You’re so right – cuddling up with a good book at these times is great!
Shannon, I’d love to know how those snowmancers got on!
We had snow this morning and it was great whilst I was inside and it looked pretty but then I had to go out and the roads were icy. You’re so right – cuddling up with a good book at these times is great!
Shannon, I’d love to know how those snowmancers got on!
We had snow this morning and it was great whilst I was inside and it looked pretty but then I had to go out and the roads were icy. You’re so right – cuddling up with a good book at these times is great!
Shannon, I’d love to know how those snowmancers got on!
We had snow this morning and it was great whilst I was inside and it looked pretty but then I had to go out and the roads were icy. You’re so right – cuddling up with a good book at these times is great!
Shannon, I’d love to know how those snowmancers got on!
We had snow this morning and it was great whilst I was inside and it looked pretty but then I had to go out and the roads were icy. You’re so right – cuddling up with a good book at these times is great!
Good timing with your post, because we did get snow last night. I’m a wimp when it comes to old weather, so I’m happy to spend the snow days indoors with my hubby watching old movies. But at some point today we’ll have to go out and shovel the driveway.
These are not really snomances, but there are a couple of books that come to mind when I think of snow and cold weather, and they both involve elopements in Scotland during the bitter cold winter. One is “Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand”, and that trip is suspenseful and emotional. The other is “Devil in Winter”, and during that elopement the couple don’t know each other and don’t much like each other either, but she finds him to be a handy footwarmer during the trip. It’s a very amusing part of the book.
Good timing with your post, because we did get snow last night. I’m a wimp when it comes to old weather, so I’m happy to spend the snow days indoors with my hubby watching old movies. But at some point today we’ll have to go out and shovel the driveway.
These are not really snomances, but there are a couple of books that come to mind when I think of snow and cold weather, and they both involve elopements in Scotland during the bitter cold winter. One is “Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand”, and that trip is suspenseful and emotional. The other is “Devil in Winter”, and during that elopement the couple don’t know each other and don’t much like each other either, but she finds him to be a handy footwarmer during the trip. It’s a very amusing part of the book.
Good timing with your post, because we did get snow last night. I’m a wimp when it comes to old weather, so I’m happy to spend the snow days indoors with my hubby watching old movies. But at some point today we’ll have to go out and shovel the driveway.
These are not really snomances, but there are a couple of books that come to mind when I think of snow and cold weather, and they both involve elopements in Scotland during the bitter cold winter. One is “Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand”, and that trip is suspenseful and emotional. The other is “Devil in Winter”, and during that elopement the couple don’t know each other and don’t much like each other either, but she finds him to be a handy footwarmer during the trip. It’s a very amusing part of the book.
Good timing with your post, because we did get snow last night. I’m a wimp when it comes to old weather, so I’m happy to spend the snow days indoors with my hubby watching old movies. But at some point today we’ll have to go out and shovel the driveway.
These are not really snomances, but there are a couple of books that come to mind when I think of snow and cold weather, and they both involve elopements in Scotland during the bitter cold winter. One is “Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand”, and that trip is suspenseful and emotional. The other is “Devil in Winter”, and during that elopement the couple don’t know each other and don’t much like each other either, but she finds him to be a handy footwarmer during the trip. It’s a very amusing part of the book.
Good timing with your post, because we did get snow last night. I’m a wimp when it comes to old weather, so I’m happy to spend the snow days indoors with my hubby watching old movies. But at some point today we’ll have to go out and shovel the driveway.
These are not really snomances, but there are a couple of books that come to mind when I think of snow and cold weather, and they both involve elopements in Scotland during the bitter cold winter. One is “Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand”, and that trip is suspenseful and emotional. The other is “Devil in Winter”, and during that elopement the couple don’t know each other and don’t much like each other either, but she finds him to be a handy footwarmer during the trip. It’s a very amusing part of the book.
I definitely like my spouse, my cat Nicholas, a special coffee drink, and a wonderful romance book on a snowy day. It is great to look outside and enjoy the beauty and not have to go anywhere.
I definitely like my spouse, my cat Nicholas, a special coffee drink, and a wonderful romance book on a snowy day. It is great to look outside and enjoy the beauty and not have to go anywhere.
I definitely like my spouse, my cat Nicholas, a special coffee drink, and a wonderful romance book on a snowy day. It is great to look outside and enjoy the beauty and not have to go anywhere.
I definitely like my spouse, my cat Nicholas, a special coffee drink, and a wonderful romance book on a snowy day. It is great to look outside and enjoy the beauty and not have to go anywhere.
I definitely like my spouse, my cat Nicholas, a special coffee drink, and a wonderful romance book on a snowy day. It is great to look outside and enjoy the beauty and not have to go anywhere.
Karin, Devil in Winter is one of my all time favourites! I think the weather definitely adds a lot to the atmosphere and the emotions. I fin it fascinating how that sort of setting can contribute so much to a book.
Karin, Devil in Winter is one of my all time favourites! I think the weather definitely adds a lot to the atmosphere and the emotions. I fin it fascinating how that sort of setting can contribute so much to a book.
Karin, Devil in Winter is one of my all time favourites! I think the weather definitely adds a lot to the atmosphere and the emotions. I fin it fascinating how that sort of setting can contribute so much to a book.
Karin, Devil in Winter is one of my all time favourites! I think the weather definitely adds a lot to the atmosphere and the emotions. I fin it fascinating how that sort of setting can contribute so much to a book.
Karin, Devil in Winter is one of my all time favourites! I think the weather definitely adds a lot to the atmosphere and the emotions. I fin it fascinating how that sort of setting can contribute so much to a book.
Carolyn, that sounds lovely (and I love that your cat is called Nicholas – such a great name!)
Carolyn, that sounds lovely (and I love that your cat is called Nicholas – such a great name!)
Carolyn, that sounds lovely (and I love that your cat is called Nicholas – such a great name!)
Carolyn, that sounds lovely (and I love that your cat is called Nicholas – such a great name!)
Carolyn, that sounds lovely (and I love that your cat is called Nicholas – such a great name!)