Snow days off from school or work are rare in Big Snow Country. Montanans are no wussies when it comes to enduring our long, harsh Winters.
It’s hard to imagine how the native people survived on the open prairies, wrapped in hides, furs, and cone shaped tents known as teepees. You can often find the teepee stone rings where the rocks hold the tents’ edges down against the strong winds.
Many Native people migrated toward warmer climates and protected areas. The hot springs in Thermopolis were a destination where tribes gathered to survive winter and soak in the healing waters. Other hot spring sites were also places to seek shelter.
Some fortunate Montanans, known as “Snowbirds”, fly south and do the same. The warmer climates of the southwest are the destination for many.
Jim Bridger and other Mountain Men would join the tribes. Their long rifles helped to feed the gathered clans. In the Paradise Valley, near Chico Hot Springs, Bridger talked about a huge pile of bones left each winter from the wild game that fed the tribes camping at the foot of the mountains.
My career as an educator was enjoyed in Maryland. As students and teachers, we enjoyed many No School Snow Days every year. Our snow came in huge piles. 20-30 inches in a few days was common each winter. The snow was wet and heavy, unlike the powdery Montana snow. The school schedule allowed for 4-5 snow days that did not need to be made up. After that, it meant a longer school year in June. School could continue until the 182 legal day of school was met.
Eastern schools also had “Late Openings” of 2-3 hours. Any time off was celebrated. Sledding, shoveling, and just hunkering down in a warm home was fun. Late season waterfowl hunters could enjoy some wild goose hunting. If the weather stayed cold, ice fishing was on the menu. Its funny how we could make it to our fishing holes and waterfowl blinds but not to work.
Since moving to Montana, we have never had a “snow day or late opening”. The wheels on the bus still go round and round. They are just covered in white snow.
The university and schools stay open for business. Our well-equipped bus drivers, snowplow drivers, and others forge through the blowing snow and frigid cold, so that life goes on. Montana buses manage to make their pickups and bring students to school and back safely.
Every day of school is important. Montanans learn to be tough at an early age.
Be yer Best!
Montana Grant
