winter

The snow depth in Milwaukee is now the deepest it's been in about 20 years — as snow shovelers with sore backs or shoulders can well attest. In most cities, it's up to the property owners to hire a plowing service. Or, they buy a snowblower or a good shovel, and do pavement clearing themselves. But West Allis recently joined the ranks of snowy North American cities that match older, or disabled, homeowners with volunteer shovelers.

As winter continues on and as the coronavirus pandemic continues to make indoor gatherings unsafe, many people are looking for outdoor activities to pass the time.

For many Wisconsinites that means venturing out onto a frozen body of water for ice fishing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing or just a nice walk. But even bodies of water with thick layers of ice can pose dangers for recreational activities, so Wisconsin DNR Recreational Warden Jason Roberts explains how to stay safe when out on the ice.

Sledding is one of many ways Wisconsinites pass the long and snow-filled winter. But when it comes to sledding, there is actually a lot of science that goes into getting from the top of the hill to the bottom.

Jax Sanders is an assistant professor in the Physics Department at Marquette University. Sanders says that sledding showcases two important concepts in physics — air resistance and friction.

Milwaukee Magazine has created a winter playbook that offers a range of tips for staying happy and healthy through the winter season.

"One of the ways to survive winter, just in general, is to develop a hobby that makes you want to go outside," says Milwaukee Magazine's Carol Nicksin. 

Editor's note: This piece was originally published Jan. 12, 2018.

As winter descends on Wisconsin and the cold sets in, our fair-weather - and fair-feathered - friends often take an extended vacation down south. But as many of Wisconsin’s birds leave for warmer weather, another group of birds begin to make their home in frost-laden forests and prairies around the state.

Experts on the Danish art of hygge note that one of the key factors to creating a warm, cozy environment is candles.

Milwaukee Candle Co., which has a studio in Walker’s Point, hand-pours Milwaukee’s contribution to hygge. Owner Kevin Goudzwaard says he and his workers can produce 400-500 candles a night. This includes the Hometown Collection, which represents different events in and parts of the city, including Bradford Beach (on a good day), Lake Park Breeze, and Brewery Tour.

Editor's note: This piece was originally published Feb. 20, 2018.

What is hygge?

According to Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark, the main ingredients of hygge are: relaxation, togetherness, equality, savoring simple pleasures, and the right lighting.

"The shorthand of explaining hygge [pronounced 'hue-guh'] is the art of creating a nice atmosphere," he adds.