By Caitlin Conner, Marketing + Communications Manager

As someone who moved to North Carolina to escape the cold, I never thought I’d be writing a blog post about actually enjoying the winter. I grew up in Wisconsin, where sub-zero temps are frequent and snow can linger until April (sometimes even May!). However, the last year and a half spent living in Charlotte and working for Daniel Stowe Conservancy have provided a startling revelation: I actually enjoy being outdoors in the winter (as long as it doesn’t hurt my face to go outside). While I may prefer sunshine and shorts weather, I’ve learned to appreciate brisk temperatures, frosty grass and opportunity to slow down and recharge during the winter. As someone who gets cold easily and identifies as a reformed winter-hater, here are my tips to embracing it and how to make the most of the chilliest months at Daniel Stowe Conservancy.

A drone shot of the rare snowy Stowe property, captured by our Ecological Stewardship Manager, Janet Manuel

1. Get Outside 

This one feels like a no-brainer, but as someone who sometimes wishes I could hibernate through winter, I know it can be tempting to run from building to car to building and spend as little time outdoors as possible. I encourage you to make a conscious effort to get outside throughout the day. You don’t need to go for an hour-long walk, especially if it’s really cold, but start with 5-10 minutes throughout the day. You’ll be surprised how a short walk in the cold can invigorate you, especially if the sun is shining. Getting a little Vitamin D even on a frigid day is crucial for your physical health and getting outside for at least 15-30 minutes can improve your mood and help fight seasonal depression. 

My favorite way to get outside during the day is actually while I’m working at Stowe; I’m surrounded by short, easy trails that provide a great opportunity for a quick walk, even if it’s just between meetings. Persimmon Trail provides a nice shortcut from The Village to The Gardens that takes under ten minutes and the Pond Loop trails provide scenic views on short trails that can be repeated as many times as you like (three laps around the large pond is about a mile). Once the temperature is above freezing, longer hikes feel more doable and for that I’d recommend taking Worrell’s Walk to the Duke Kimbrell Trail to enjoy the scenic Lake Wylie shoreline.

You can plan your winter hike via Stowe’s trail map here. 

Lake Wylie Shoreline via the Duke Kimbrell Trail

2. Bundle Up

If your teeth are chattering on your walk, throw on more layers! A coat, thick socks, knit hat, gloves and heavy scarf can make all the difference in the world. If the temperature drops below freezing and you’re like me and tend to get colder than the average person, I’d recommend investing in a heated vest or jacket, or even some hand warmers in a pinch.

Stowe’s trail system can be very icy in some spots in the winter, so be sure to grab the proper footwear to prevent slipping and falling. Boots with rubber soles and chunky treads for lots of traction control are key. For extra cold and icy hikes, hiking sticks or poles are a great way to help you keep your balance.

Wearing the proper winter gear goes for our furry friends, too! If you hike with your dog, you may want to consider purchasing a winter jacket that covers their belly to keep them warm. It’s also recommended that your dog wear booties when the temperature dips low, especially under 20 degrees. This will help protect your pooch’s paws from salt and freezing surfaces and prevent large snowballs from forming and hurting their feet.

An added bonus? They’ll look pretty dang cute in their winter gear (as demonstrated in the photo above by our buddy).

3. Treat Yourself 

Leaving the house in the winter can be hard. It’s cold. It’s often dark. The temptation to snooze your alarm and curl back up in bed is real. I get it. Sometimes you need a little extra motivation to get moving in the morning, and that’s where a little treat comes in. Winter feels a little more bearable with a warm coffee, tea or pastry in hand. It can be as simple as taking the time to make your favorite hot breakfast or indulge in a luxury coffee brand to give you a boost on chilly mornings.

My treat of choice? Stopping by The Trailhead Store before heading up to my office at Stowe. The staff at Trailhead are always brewing up some delicious seasonal treats – this time of year you can grab a Caramel Apple Butter Latte. Yum!

When I’m busy I take my coffee to-go, but when I have time to relax or need to focus, I often head upstairs to the Trailhead Attic, the coziest spot on Stowe property. Settling in to the comfy couch while sipping a warm drink immediately transports me to a cabin in the middle of the woods….which isn’t too far off. Not a bad place to get work done.

The Trailhead Store Attic

William H. Williamson, III, Orchid Conservatory

The William H. Williamson III Conservatory

4. Find or Create Green Spaces 

When you live somewhere as beautiful as North Carolina, it can be difficult adjusting to a brown/gray landscape after months of lush greenery. My advice? Surround yourself by plants whenever and wherever you can. Try out some houseplants to add a pop of color and vibrance to your living or working space. If you’re like me and weren’t born with a green thumb, Pothos, Snake Plants and Spider Plants are a great place to start – they’re virtually indestructible.

One of my favorite places at Stowe to visit in the middle of winter is the Williamson Conservatory. It’s is the Carolinas’ only 8,000-square-foot, five-story glass house dedicated to a display of orchids and tropical plants. The Conservatory is filled tropical plants like a cocoa tree, orchids, bromeliads and succulents, and you can even enjoy the peaceful splash of a waterfall! It’s the perfect little midday escape when I want to warm up and transport myself to an oasis.

I definitely recommend checking out the Williamson Conservatory in winter and the perfect opportunity to do so is our Trip to the Tropics event at the end of February. Trip to the Tropics spans two weekends and celebrates all things tropical plants. We’ll have a tropical bar and lounge set up in the Great Hall for those two weeks and offer a wide range of events, such as:

And more! The series even concludes with a plant sale so you can take some tropical plants home with you.

I started writing this blog post in the midst of the great weekend blizzard and as I finish it, I see 60-degree days on the forecast – go figure! But that’s one of my favorite things about living in North Carolina; no two days are the same, even in winter. The weather keeps us on our toes and presents new and exciting opportunities to get out in nature and enjoy the outdoors.

The weather might be up and down for the next few weeks, but if you can’t stand the cold, I encourage you to try out a winter walk with a cup of your favorite cozy beverage in hand to find some beauty in the crunch of snow beneath your boots and the shimmer of ice on a pond. And if that doesn’t work, find an escape by taking a Trip to the Tropics in our Williamson Conservatory!

My main takeaway after experiencing every type of weather while working for Stowe? It really is a garden for all seasons.