20 Breathtaking Photos Of Winter Landscapes

Winter can be as beautiful as it is frigid – the snow and ice that covers much of the hemisphere in winter is a transformative force like no other. We invite you to cuddle up with a cup of tea and your warmest blanket and enjoy some of the most beautiful winter wonderland photos out there.

In reality, the change of the seasons from winter to summer is one of the best direct indications of the earth's cosmic movement that we can personally experience. Winter occurs in the Northern hemisphere when the Earth's northern axis tilts away from the sun. The minute change in distance from and angle to the sun creates the drop in general temperature that we experience in winter, and this angle is also the reason why it's colder the farther north you go. As the seasons change, you can imagine our planet, perfectly captured in beautiful pictures of nature, slowly rocking back and forth on its axis.

Although some may hate the cold, don't forget that the beautiful views of snow and frost are a necessary part of our life cycles - these winter landscapes will soon be full of life. Most plants and animals have adapted to the change of seasons in one way or another, and the cold grip of winter allows plants and animals to hibernate or migrate. Some tree seeds, like acorns, will only germinate after they've spent the winter on the cold ground. So behind these pure white winter pictures, there's plenty of life going on.

Here's to making the most of a cold and unforgiving but enchantingly beautiful season! Check our compilation with the most beautiful pictures of the white panoramic views that winter has to offer below.