Seasons: winter
Above/featured: Harbour Air seaplane landing in Burrard Inlet: Vancouver, BC – 6 Dec 2016.
In winter, low-lying areas in the Canadian southwest don’t get snow, but when there’s a dump of at least an inch or two, that’s enough to paralyze the cities’ streets. Drivers are spoiled by the lack of snow, unaccustomed to dealing with the slip and slide. But after a snow event, the day after brings out the sun, almost like clockwork. To that end, I’ve always been fascinated by winter views on snow-capped summits; it’s about the view after all.
In the languages with which I’m familiar, the word “winter” appears as:
- Chinese: 冬季
- French: l’hiver
- German: der Winter
- Spanish: el invierno
ONE
If there are any mountains, and they happened to be topped with snow, my compulsion is to ascend to the summit for the view; the included bonus is always the ride itself on the gondola, lift, or cable car to the top. While the sun is out in my time in Oberstdorf in southern Germany, I’m up at nearby peaks Nebelhorn and Fellhorn.
• Winter activity at Nebelhorn.
Southwest from Nebelhorn; Fellhorn is at upper-left – 5 Mar 2017.
TWO
Visible from the Fellhorn summit are a number of skiers (some more adventurous) along the Austro-German frontier between Grosser Widderstein, the Kanzelwandbahn cable car, and Hochkünzelspitze.
Fellhorn (near Oberstdorf), Germany – 8 Mar 2017.
THREE
At the highest location in Germany, you can see the Alps in as many as five countries on a clear day with good atmospheric transparency. A set of binoculars or long zoom glass helps with seeing mountains as far as Italy and Liechtenstein.
East-southeast view with Zugspitze summit cross at left; distant peaks in Austria and Italy are visible in this image – 25 Feb 2017 (6D1).
FOUR
From late-November to late-December, any German town will have at least one Christmas market where you can enjoy food, drink (Glühwein – mulled wine!), and the lights. For me, it’s difficult to think about (early) winter in Germany without an afternoon or an evening in the Weihnachtsmarkt.
Potsdam, Germany – 8 Dec 2015.
I made all photos above with a Canon EOS6D mark1; alle Fotoaufnahmen sind mit Wasserzeichen versehen worden. Acknowledgements go to Ann-Christine for LAPC no. 107 in the week of 25-31 Jul 2020. This post appears on Fotoeins Fotografie at fotoeins DOT com as https://wp.me/p1BIdT-i9K.
Fotoeins Fotografie 
20 Responses to “Seasons: winter”
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Beautiful, Henry! The view from Zugspitze is a treat even in not so good weather. You were really lucky!
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Hi, Ann-Christine. In autumn and winter, it *is* tricky because of elevation, the frequency for cloud cover, and early snowfall. It’s a matter of timing, and being in the area for a few days to catch a clear day or two. It’s very lucky I happened to be in the area to see clear skies after a good dump of snow on the summit and surrounding mountains. Thanks for your kind comment!
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Sometimes we are lucky – and smart!
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Wow. Excellent photos. Love it. I went up the Zugspitze in the summer, many many many decades ago. That cable car ride is something!
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Hi and thanks, John. Seeing the mountainscape in both summer and winter are an absolute delight. What’s also terrific is the cogwheel rail from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to the Zugspitze plateau (just below the summit), the brand *NEW* Eibsee aerial tramway goes to the summit proper on the German side, and the Ehrwald cable car goes to the summit on the Austrian side. I have not yet done the latter, but I want to! 😉 Thanks again for your comment!
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And thanks for your interesting reply
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Wonderful take on winter Henry. I have only been in the Alps one time and I remember it like it was yesterday. We arrived in Austria after dark and stayed in a small, beautiful, immaculate hostel with the most comfortable bed ever. I awoke the next morning to brilliant sunshine and towering snow-covered alps all around as far as the eye could see (it was in July). One of those magical travel moment you never forget. thank you so much for that fond reminder!
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Hi and thanks, Tina! That sounds wonderful, especially in summer with those long days and beautiful (short) nights and surrounded by frosted peaks. Do you happen to remember where in Austria you got this magically memorable experience?
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Oh my, I don’t think so Henry. It must have been a rather large city because we took a bus and walked to the hostel. Maybe Vienna but honestly I don’t remember the city, just the magic!
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Wonderful photos, Henry.
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Thanks, Teresa!
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Beautiful winter photos, Henry! An amazing shot of Zugspitze. I have only seen part of Alps at Dolomites, it was a great hiking adventure.
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Hi and thanks, Amy. I never learned how to ski, and I can’t say I’m missing out as I don’t have great knees. But I love mountains especially on clear days, because of all the photographic opportunities. I ask myself: what mountains am I seeing? How far am I seeing? And all the people out and about and doing their thing, too. As for the Dolomites, I’ve not yet visited; I’ve read up on some of it, and I’ve seen some of the images, and I too would very much like to visit, starting from Bolzano. Whether it’s winter snow or summer hikes, I hope you get your fair share of mountains, wherever they may be. The European Alps have always been my kind of destination ☺️🏔
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These are really beautiful images! Three i my favourite but two the most interesting to see the relative size of the skiers influenced by the distance. And by the way in Afrikaans winter is also winter, all the other seasons are spelled differently to English version.
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Hi, Abrie, and thanks! Visiting Feldberg was a fascinating experience, because the mountain station and ski run were along the actual Austro-German border; thank goodness for Schengen. And with the neighbouring mountains accessed from Austria’s Kleinwalsertal valley (unusual because the valley’s only road access is through Germany), a skier can ski “between” nations and “up and down” mountains. I’m also fortunate I had a long lens with me to confirm I was truly seeing skiers on distant ridges. Thanks for stopping by and for your comment!
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I’ve been to Zugspitze – I absolutely loved it! Fabulous pictures 🙂
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Hello, Ms. Henry. It’s always a memorable experience to stand at a country’s highest point and survey the view around for miles around, no matter if it’s summer or winter. Thanks for stopping by and for your kind comment!
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