It’s Snow Joke: A Guide to Thriving During the Winter in Grand Forks

Ok, you’ve probably heard talk about how cold North Dakota can get and  you’re probably wondering how people live here, right?

When I first moved here from Denver many years ago, I wondered the same thing. But, over the years, the anxiety of living in such a cold area has turned to an adoration of all the wonderful things that winter brings. Since I’ve spent the last 15 years choosing to live here despite the cold, I want to share some tips and tricks I picked up along the way. Whether you are a long-term resident of the area or a newcomer, you’ll find these tips and tricks essential to thriving during the winter in Grand Forks.

Now, I’ve read through my fair share of “winter survival guides”, and I’ll be honest, while there are some good tips like keeping blankets or provisions in your car in case you get stuck in a snowstorm, they focus on the “survive” part and completely miss the “thriving part”. Living in a cold area means that a large chunk of the year is spent in the snow and chilly temps, so why not embrace the cold and flourish instead of simply make it through the winter? I’ve come to love the winter around here and I find that thriving during the winter in Grand Forks means focusing on things that only happen in winter such as attending many of the fun-filled winter activities.

Focusing on things that contribute to good mental health is important all year round. We find that being outdoors in nature is a big boost to positive mental health, and so we find ways to be outside as much as possible. We enjoy walks along the greenway or river in the snow, building snowmen and forts in our yard, going sledding on the greenway, or driving the short distance to Turtle River State Park to explore the wintery landscape. Also, my sons love to ride their bikes and the snow doesn’t stop them. We found these ski attachments for their balance bikes which allow them to traverse snowy sidewalks (and they save me from having to pull my kids in a sled). And, if we’re lucky, we may even see sundogs on certain cold mornings.

Spending time outside is wonderful, but you need the right gear. Staying warm is key to enjoying the cooler temps, so be sure to put some thought into what type of activities you plan to do, and what items are necessary to help you enjoy the time outside.

Note: I first tried to write this as vaguely as possible to avoid promoting certain brands, but the end result wasn’t all that helpful – being told to “buy a warm coat” is not the same as being told which coats will actually keep you warm at subzero temperatures. And, when I first moved here, I received really great advice on what brands would keep me the warmest, and I found value in that. So, I decided to go personal here and discuss my favorite brands and an explanation of why I choose that brand or style. I don’t benefit in any way by promoting these brands, and there’s likely other great brands out there too, so do your research before purchasing anything.

Coats, boots, gloves, and all the winter gear will be worn every day for many months each year. Kids will go outside for school recess even when it’s below freezing, so they should be properly clothed. And, for adults who will spend longer stretches of time outside, it’s also a good idea to suit up. If you’re like me and have to move between buildings and various locations on foot each day, you’ll thank yourself for the added warmth of a quality coat, boots, and gloves.

If it’s within your financial capability to do so, buy the good stuff. Look up the brands and styles of the items you wish to purchase and verify that they can be worn at subzero temperatures and will hold up to long term use (don’t forget that coats and gloves should be washed regularly to help reduce the spread of icky winter germs). Take a few minutes and look into the gear you’re interested in such as checking out helpful guides about understanding ratings on outdoor clothing.

For the adults in our home, we tend to buy Columbia coats because in addition to their warmth, they also offer a limited lifetime warranty (check out their website for more info on what’s covered). They’ve replaced coats at no cost to us, which makes the higher up-front cost worth it in my opinion.

For kids, I prefer 3-in-1 coats. Grand Forks boasts all four seasons, and so having coats that are versatile for all seasons is ideal. Our favorite are the Children’s Place 3-in-1 coats, and they are pretty affordable at less than $50 (or lower if you follow their sales). Also, if you need help finding appropriate winter gear for your child, the local schools are great resources too.

Our favorite books include Sorel, Bogs, and Kamik, although we have other brands in our closets too. While these brands may have a higher price tag than other brands, we have found that they are worth every penny. To help keep the costs down, I watch for sales on these brands in the off season, and also frequent garage sales in the summer and local buy/sell social media sites for previously worn items.

Also, a good cost saving tip is to check the thrift stores for quality brands. We’ve found brands like Columbia, North Face, and even Patagonia at local thrift stores. Research the brands ahead of purchasing as some of the coat styles are not rated for as cold of temps.

Scarves and neck warmers are underrated. We prefer neck warmers compared to scarves for our kids because of the choking hazards that come with scarves (have you ever seen the daring jumps kids make on playground equipment?). Either purchase them from the store, or find yourself a wonderful grandma or auntie who likes to sew and casually mention that your kid’s neck is cold. In true midwest fashion, you may find some dropped on your doorstep the next morning! Ok, fine, that may not be how it works, but our favorite neck warmers were lovingly made for us by an auntie and our kids’ necks are warm all winter long.

Gloves. Gloves. Gloves. Repeat after me: gloves are your best friend. And not the knitted kind (well, those are fine in the fall before the temperatures drop too much). We’re not picky about brands of gloves and instead focus on three things when deciding which gloves to purchase: You want quality gloves that are 1) waterproof, 2) thick, and 3) functional. And if your kids are like mine and lose gloves regularly (how do we only have 4 left gloves and no right gloves?), clip your kids gloves to their coats to help keep track of them.

Weird advice, but get yourself a hat tree. What is a hat tree? It’s an apparatus that looks like a coat rack, but is smaller and works for hats, boots, gloves, and any other wet things you’ll drag in from outside. We purchased ours from All Seasons Garden Center a few years ago, and it has more than paid for itself each year. When kids come home from school with wet boots, gloves, neck warmers, and coats, they all go on the hat tree by the fireplace. Don’t forget to put a waterproof liner underneath to catch the melting snow and ice. We use a boot mat that we purchased from a big box store as it fits perfectly underneath and was affordable.

Safe Kids Grand Forks advises that coats should not be worn while in a car seat. Check out their helpful guide to ensure your child is safely buckled. Even if you don’t have kids, understanding why a child may not have on a heavy coat in the dead of winter can be helpful to know the reason behind the coat choice. To help keep our kids warm, we found carseat ponchos to be helpful for our kids because they can be worn during the walk to the car and then the back opens up to allow for straps to be buckled underneath. The poncho then lays on top of the car seat or can be tucked down underneath the child. We purchased ours from a local craft fair, but they are also available commercially, or can also be found on area buy/sell social media pages. (Or, find yourself a midwest sewing grandma or auntie, seriously – they are gold). And, when your child outgrows the car seat poncho, they are great for layering over backpacks for waiting at the bus stop, as well!

Most cars will operate fine over the winter with proper maintenance and care. One of the biggest issues is when old batteries succumb to the frigid temperatures. To ensure a smooth winter, check your battery and replace it if it is worn out.

But, simply surviving isn’t the same as thriving. So, here are my ideal tips for vehicles: if your vehicle doesn’t have a block heater, a remote car starter is a good option. They are luxuries and are not required.

Block heaters: You may see electrical plugs and extension cords near parking spaces. These allow for vehicles with block heaters which help keep engines warm. Newer model vehicles may not need them, so if your vehicle doesn’t require one, it’s helpful to leave the parking spaces near buildings that have block heater cords available to those with vehicles that require them.

Remote car starter: Starting your vehicle ahead of time can warm up the engine and also the interior cabin, making for a warmer start to your drive. A few minutes will bring the vehicle to a comfortable temperature. However, the eco-conscious person in me wants to express that this should not be done for long periods of time as it can impact the environment. However, the mother in me acknowledges that bringing little babies and young kids into a freezing vehicle can be detrimental too. My current vehicle does not have a remote starter, and it’s something I miss from our previous vehicle. It’s on our list to do in the coming months! And, as mentioned above, children should not wear heavy coats while buckled into car seats, so having a warm vehicle is helpful.

While it’s fun to talk about all the amazing things to do in order to thrive during winter in Grand Forks, a guide to winter in this area would not be complete without talking about the logistics of dealing with the cold and snow.

First, you’ll want to sign up for emergency alerts for Grand Forks County, North Dakota and for East Grand Forks, Minnesota. Then, check out the Grand Forks City Ordinances website or the city of East Grand Forks parking website to learn about street plowing in the winter and “snow emergencies”. You can also learn how to be a helpful resident during snow removal including keeping streets clear, removing snow from sidewalks, and being patient while the city plows the streets. Residents are responsible for clearing snow from their sidewalks.

Ok, I’m a bit ashamed to admit that we have a favorite snow shovel, but alas, we do (we can’t be the only ones, right?). Since we move a lot of snow over the winter, I find this Dakota Sno Blade a wonderful resource because it moves snow quickly and saves my aging back. We then use a handheld shovel (choose one with an ergonomic handle to aid you – trust me, it’s worth it) to address the piles of snow. After a few years of living here, we opted to purchase a snow blower. We found ours used on a local buy/sell page, but they can be purchased at Scheels, Cabelas, Lowes, other big box stores, or shop locally at the Garden Hut. The Garden Hut also services snow blowers and other small engines, so keep them in mind for your garden and lawn needs.

While shoveling off your walkways, don’t forget to shovel around the fire hydrants on your street. The Grand Forks Fire Department has an “Adopt a Hydrant” campaign in an attempt to bring about safety about this important topic. In the event of an emergency, quick access to hydrants is paramount, so do your part in helping our emergency responders.  Remove snow and ice from the hydrant, clear a 3-foot perimeter around the hydrant, and clear a path from the hydrant to the street. While you’re at it, also clear off your egress window covers. Snow gets heavy, and those emergency paths out of a basement need to be clear. There are also great resources from the fire department about reducing fire and other hazards common in winter such as carbon monoxide risks, so check out their resources on their website.

Hopefully these tips and tricks to thriving during winter in Grand Forks give you a good idea of how to start preparing for the winter. I tried to highlight the beauty of living in one of the coldest cities in America but also to talk about the practicality of what it’s actually like to live here and how to truly thrive.