So, you’re spending your first winter in the Berkshires. When I attended college in San Diego, I brought some west coast friends home for the holidays that were either seeing snow for the first time, or were otherwise totally unprepared for the unique challenges a winter in New England brings. To help better prepare a newbie for some of the harsher realities of the cold weather, here are 9 ways to get ready for the season.
1. Understanding the Winter Climate in the Berkshires
First and foremost, you may be asking: what is the winter really like in the Berkshires? It’s common in not just the county, but in the state and region to joke about how unpredictable northeastern weather can be. It comes with the territory of having four beautiful and distinct seasons; wet springs, hot summers, colorful autumns and yes, cold winters. It’s not unusual to see the weather dip into the single digits at different times throughout the season, and you can expect an average of 60-70 inches of snow each winter in certain parts of the county. The temperature varies enough to see a decent amount of ice on the ground each year when temperatures rise, melt the snow, and then drop again. You just never know what kind of season you’ll have when December rolls around, and expect those temperatures to stay low well into the new year!
2. Essential Winter Wardrobe
A Berkshire winter is no fun to skate through without the minimum of a good pair of boots, gloves and a warm coat, even if the extent of your outdoor exercise is shoveling the driveway. If you’ve never had to pick out gear for a snowy winter before, look for boots with good traction and prioritize waterproof materials in everything! And if building snowmen with your kids is in the cards, don’t skip out on the snowpants–you never know where a snowball might be about to hit. Good layering pieces for underneath your winter gear and decent head protection make a big difference, too, if you’re planning to try out some new outdoor activities. As a lifelong skier, I’ll be the first to tell you that these sports are no fun if you find yourself quickly cold and wet.
While investing in good pieces for winter is important, those with little experience in the snow should be prepared for your shoes in particular to show some real wear and tear once the winter is over. The salt used to melt ice on driveways, parking lots, and roads can do a number on your footwear.
3. Winterizing Your Home
Harsh weather conditions can have a real effect on your home and your wallet, particularly if you live in one of the older homes we see throughout the county. Extremely low temperatures can cause pipes to burst, and home heating systems to break with the stress of keeping things warm inside.
Preparing your home can start any day of the year with an audit of your energy efficiency. In Massachusetts, you can start with a free online energy assessment. Qualifying homeowners can also receive free and discounted services in sealing drafts, as well as other products to cut down your energy usage, which keeps your utility bill as low as possible during winter hikes.
In the fall, it’s a good idea to have your heating system checked and serviced. Doing so at the start of each season lowers your chance of losing heat due to a mechanical failure when the temperature really starts to drop. And no one wants to struggle to find a professional or pay emergency fees on an issue that could have been avoided!
Once winter hits, if you find yourself facing temperatures that are well below freezing for an extended period of time, there’s a chance that water can freeze in your pipes and cause them to burst. This is costly and stressful, and there’s quite a few methods floating around the web to keep this from happening–but I’ll give you the basics. First, your thermostat should never be set to below 55 degrees, even if you’re using supplemental heat sources like fireplaces or space heaters. Second, you should open your cabinet doors to let more warm air flow around your pipes. Third, keep a small drip of cold water going out your faucets; you may feel bad wasting water, but moving water is harder to freeze.
4. Keeping Driveways and Walkways Clear
Shoveling the driveway may seem like a simple, if not annoying, task; but there are lots of rookie mistakes to make if you’re not used to the snow. First and foremost, don’t wait until there’s a foot or two of snow on the ground before you begin if you can help it. While no one likes to head out into the snow multiple times throughout the storm, periodically clearing the driveway stops the snow from being too heavy and compacted to shovel, and it may take you less total time overall to clear away.
You should also be sure that you have all the equipment you need on hand before you wake up to a white blanket on your driveway. A snow blower in the garage or hired snow plow are both excellent; but if that’s not in the cards, having a couple of sturdy shovels on hand is crucial. You might even consider keeping a metal shovel or ice chopper around to break up thick layers of ice. Having a bucket of sand or salt on hand is key once you’ve done your initial shoveling; shaking some across walkways, stairs, or where you get out of your car can help keep ice from forming and give you traction to prevent falls.
There are other health considerations to keep in mind when going out to shovel. The higher the temperature during snowfall, the heavier the snow is going to be when shoveling. For older individuals in particular, overexerting yourself in the low temperatures can lead to a cardiac episode. So take breaks as needed, have somebody outside helping you complete the task, or consider hiring someone else to do the job if you have preexisting conditions.
5. Outdoor Recreation and Winter Activities of Berkshire County
For some that are new to a snowy winter, learning to love the cold can be a challenge. My advice is to find a winter activity that brings you joy and motivates you to leave the house. Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice fishing and ice skating are all great options; there are also a number of indoor workout classes and recreational activities in the area to join if being outdoors is a nonstarter. You can also donate your time to one of the many charitable causes that amp up around the holiday season, from Toys for Tots to blood drives and more.
6. Health and Wellness During Winter
Not only do viruses spread with ease when we’re all cramped inside during the winter months, but some can find themselves feeling down from the lack of daylight. It’s important to take extra measures to take care of your mind and body during the cold season. Eating right and staying active can help for both issues. You may consider adjusting your schedule to wake up earlier if you can; getting your daylight in at the start of the day can make leaving work after sundown feel less depressing. Also, make sure you have the right medication–and maybe a canned soup or two–stocked at home if a seasonal sickness does knock you down!
7. Preparing for Power Outages
Sometimes, a bad winter storm can cause power outages in your home for minutes to hours at a time, or even longer, so it’s good to be prepared for emergencies. Throughout the season, keep an eye out for weather announcements and make sure your cell phone, laptop etc. are at a full charge and your car has enough gas if there are severe weather advisories active. If you have non-electrical heat sources like a wood stove, ensure you have supplies stocked up to run it. It’s also a good idea to have plenty of blankets, warm layers, candles, and flashlights on hand if power goes out at night. You may also consider having external chargers or power sources for your electronics, particularly if you have necessary medical equipment that needs power to run. Lastly, having some old-school activities on hand to keep you and your household entertained will help the time pass quickly!
8. Navigating Winter Driving Challenges
Driving in snowy or icy conditions can be hairy, so like all other winter challenges, it’s good to have a plan ahead of time. Having a snow brush and ice scraper stored in your car is essential; you never know where you’re going to be parked when the snow comes down. And driving without properly clearing your car off could earn you some fines in this state. Some people even keep small shovels in their car to dig themselves out, depending on where they live and park. Making sure your car is in good working order in the fall is a bright idea; replacing your tires if they’re bald or not suited to the winter and ensuring you have antifreeze wiper fluid is a good place to start. Some even go as far as to keep emergency kits in the car in case of a crash or other situations that may leave you trapped in your vehicle in cold weather. Common items in those kits include: external cell phone chargers, blankets, flashlights, first-aid kits, jumper cables, hand warmers and even tire chains.
In general, you should remember to use caution if you’re not used to driving in icy conditions–and remember that black ice exists and isn’t easily visible from behind the wheel. Leave extra room between you and other cars, go slow, and read up on other winter driving tips here.
9. Engage with the Community: Winter Events and Festivities in the Berkshires
While lots of this blog post covered how to keep yourself safeguarded against disaster, there’s lots to enjoy about being in the Berkshires during the winter! From the beautiful snowy landscapes, to cozy meals and your favorite restaurants, and amazing holiday traditions, spending the cold months here can be picture-perfect; Norman Rockwell certainly thought so, at least! To check out an exhaustive list of all the different ways you and your family can spend the season, check out my recent blog post: Fun Winter Activities In The Berkshires.
