My friends from Massachusetts all stared at me with blank faces when I told them I was going to a school in Minnesota! It will definitely surprise them when they hear that Northfield is a great college town, and not a "frozen outpost" some of them imagined.

Yes, it's cold here in the winter--but far from being a frozen tundra year-round, Minnesota has four distinct seasons. We have beautiful springs with blossoming trees and early flowers, warm summers to enjoy our 10,000 lakes, and beautiful autumns ablaze with color. And while winter can be harsh, it also offers the chance to go sledding, build snow forts, ice skate, play broomball (Carleton's favorite winter sport), and try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in the Arboretum.

Living here in winter is mostly a matter of dressing right and being prepared for the extremes. With the right winter clothing and gear, you can be as active outdoors as you want to (although if you'd rather hibernate, that's OK too).