Even if the winter doesn’t tend to treat you to a white Christmas where you live, the wonders of the internet can allow you to enjoy snowy vistas at the click of a button. We take a look at 15 examples of outstanding winter landscapes, courtesy of the photo-sharing website, Flickr:
01 – Bicycle
By Lambert Wolterbeek Muller
Taken along the Kromme Rijn river in Utrecht, this photo actually depicts woodland that is adorned with ’frozen mist’ rather than snow. The column-like black tree trunks provide the perfect frame for the chilly cyclist, while the tiny red reflector offers a speck of respite from the monochrome colour-scheme.
02 – Shore
By John Ryan
This photo showcases the stunning scenery on offer in South Riverdale, Toronto. The darkening sky sets an ominous backdrop for the shore and the impression you get from the picture is one of complete and utter silence.
03 – Farmstand
By Liz West
Offering a much less bleak outlook of winter is this sundrenched photo by Liz West. The tree trunk and branches form an exceptionally well-defined frame for the little snow-crested hut and the fence provides us with a charming reminder that there’s no way to rein in the elements!
04 – Sun mountain
By ‘8#X’
This photo of the Austrian Alps is another brightly lit winter vista, which seems to be a photograph of the roof of the world. The prominent position of the sun emits a warmth that is starkly opposed by the crisply textured snow. ‘Apricity’ seems a fitting descriptor for this image; a word that describes the warmth of the sun on a cold day.
05 – Lakehouse
By Martin Sojika
The palette for this stunning lakeside picture demonstrates exactly why it’s sometimes worth getting up for sunrise! According to the photographer, Sojika, it was around -10 Celsius when the photo was taken, however the tranquillity of the chapel in the distance and its warm colours make it look like a very pleasant place to be.
06 – Train tracks
By Ville Miettinen
Sometimes an urban winter scene can be just as striking as one set in a more rural location. These train tracks can be found in Helsinki, Finland – where the photographer captured this moment on Christmas Day. The scudding clouds add to the drama and movement within the composition, making us feel like we’re on the journey too.
07 – Grand Canyon
By Tim Hamilton
The Grand Canyon is famous for offering some of the most stunning views in the world, but not on the day this photo was taken. A hint of the dramatic valley below is all Tim Hamilton managed to capture, though this does add to our sense of the abyss that stretches out below the lone viewer.
08 – Fencing
By viamoi
Light and dark are used to great effect in this shot. The actual fencing and the shadows of the fencing merge at the centre of the image, making it feel like the viewer is trapped in some sort of wintery fishing net. This is broken only by the stark almost cartoon-like sun, which casts everything else in deep, black shadow.
09 – Chalet
By Agapie Camil
This vibrant, apple-green chalet seems to sit playfully within the Fagaras Mountains of Romania in this shot, reminding us of the warmer months to come. Meanwhile, in the background the mountains veer off at a haphazard diagonal, making it seem like the whole world is on a sliding tilt here.
10 – Ferry
By Sam Javanrouh
Though seemingly very bleak, this photo of the Toronto Island ferry as it braves the frozen lake, has a hint of humour in the foreground in the form of a tiny vodka bottle. A higher resolution shot makes the spirited star of the picture easier to spot, but even without it the photograph is very pleasing to the eye thanks to the tessellating rafts of ice.
11 – Tree
By Matthias Klaiber
Taken in Germany, this powerful still captures a trio of trees on a snow-swept hill. The feeling of a never-ending struggle against the wind is communicated through the angles. The relentless determination of these majestic black trees is particularly powerful against the endless white backdrop.
12 – Toronto
By Grant MacDonald
The mint green railings and yolk yellow light in the foreground of the picture are set in colourful contrast to the cityscape beyond. As a result the skyline looks almost like a natural thing. In this photograph Toronto looks dream-like and futuristic, while the grey hues of the sky lend the shot a sense of foreboding.
13 – Lights
By ‘Beverly & Pack’
What collection of winter scenes would be complete without a shot of the spectacular Northern Lights? This example is made even more festive by the bright green colours and the pretty snow-covered firs in the foreground. It’s easy to imagine this dramatic swoosh is caused by Santa tearing around the world on his sleigh, if you suspect your disbelief for a moment!
14 – Tracks
By ‘DomiKetu’
Though it seems as though the texture has been enhanced since the shot was taken, this photo is a stunning example of shades of grey painting a very evocative picture. The way the eponymous tracks trail off into the distance draws the viewer in, while the mottled sky is somehow very soothing on the eye.
15 – Number 10
By kanelstrand
This photographer chose to pair their picture with poetry by Emily Dickinson:
There’s a certain Slant of light,
Winter Afternoons —
That oppresses, like the Heft
Of Cathedral Tunes…
Both the image and the words communicate the serenity that snow and winter light can cast upon a simple scene. The colour of this doll’s house-like hut and the definition of the tree, make this photograph vivid as well as slightly unreal.
Printerpix 
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