I love the snow, I really do. I love how it creates a white blanket over brown roads and dormant grass. I love how it glistens in the sunshine, and I love how it brightens the landscape by reflecting what little light is available in the wintertime.

As a Minnesotan, I thought that I was prepared for the snowy streets of Norway. As it turns out, I’m pretty pampered in terms of snowless streets and sidewalks. When it starts snowing in Minnesota, people are out regularly shoveling, sweeping, and blowing snow. Snowplows stay ahead of the snow by plowing early and often. Neighbors help neighbors with snow removal and in many cases, it is a ‘race’ to see who can have a clean driveway or sidewalk first.

To prepare for the snowy streets of Norway, I packed a new pair of boots and some accessories, coils for snowy and icy walks and the spikes for more rugged hikes. I was warned numerous times to always be prepared for inclement weather. I’m usually prepared… but early on I didn’t take into account the topography of Norway (Minnesota is pretty flat).

So, when I was in Bergen in November, I didn’t pack boots because the weather didn’t forecast snow. However, when I woke up the first day, there was a coating of ICE everywhere. Icy roads and sidewalks were not salted, people were just expected to know what to wear. I carefully waddled like a penguin to school and then promptly bought some ice-gear accessories for my shoes after class. The gear looked more like blocks of sandpaper than anything else, but they could be worn inside buildings, unlike spikes, and they did the job until I got back to Oslo.

Fast forward two months and we are in full-on snow season in Norway! Hurra! However, I’ve quickly learned that the expectations for snowy streets are different for Minnesota and Norway…. Back in Minnesota, it is expected that dustings of snow are quickly swept away and any amount of snow greater than 3-4 inches of snow is removed promptly. Sidewalks are cleared of snow and then salted to prevent ice buildup and any slips, trips, or falls. Minnesotans expect prompt and efficient snow removal for safe travel and accessibility.

In Norway, however, the expectation is that people will wear appropriate footwear, whether it be boots or boots with coils, spikes, etc, in the winter months. The last few days in Oslo, sidewalks have been covered in deep, moist snow, or kramsnø, snow that is perfect for making a snowman. A few stores cleared the snow from front of their doors, but not many. Tractors, with small blades on the front, were sometimes used to push snow to the street. However, since no salt was used (better for the environment), the cleared sidewalks quickly became icy, slippery paths.

It was raining today, so the snow-filled sidewalks turned to soupy traffic trails. People walked around and through the sloppy mess in their rubber boots, boots, or tennis shoes. Not once did I see heels or impractical shoes trying to navigate the wintery slush.

*I must note that I do recognize that one significant downside of this is the lack of accessibility for those who have difficulties walking or need to use assistive devices for movement. It was a struggle pulling my suitcase through the snowy streets, so I can only imagine how difficult it must be for some people to navigate the paths. It would be interesting to hear how the snow, ice, and slush pose challenges for them and how they overcome those challenges.

Pulling my suitcase through the snow-filled streets.

Obviously, I no longer expect cleared sidewalks or streets in Norway; my boots are by the door with their attachments, to include sandpaper, coils, and spikes. I travel with my winter accessories and see the value in wearing sensible footwear for safe winter walking. However, I don’t believe I can convince my small-town Minnesota community to wear winter boot attachments. There’s a blizzard in Minnesota right now, and I’m confident that my husband has already blown snow from the driveway at least once to ‘get ahead’ of the storm.

Winter Expectations

One Plastic Bag