Ice. Wind. Frost. Snow… and lots of it. These are all types of difficulties that a classic Michigan winter will bring to University of Michigan’s campus this winter season. If you’re a student from a state or country with warm weather, you were probably already complaining about the first glimpse of winter weather we had this past week. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There’s plenty more snow where that came from! But don’t worry, I am here to share all of my tips and tricks that I gathered from experiencing 18 years worth of these treacherous winters, and truly, they aren’t as bad as you think if you know how to stay warm. By the end of this article, you will feel prepared and confident for this upcoming chilly weather.
Tip #1: Invest in a good winter jacket
Trust me, this is the make or break purchase for the season. Take the chance to invest in a durable, high quality jacket. Especially if you are a freshman, this is the time to purchase a slightly more expensive jacket because it WILL be worth your money. Think about it: you will be wearing this jacket for at least four Michigan winters, so get one that is good quality and you would want to wear for these years. I’ve had the same Moncler black puffer for the entirety of high school, and it’s the jacket I will be bringing back to University of Michigan after Thanksgiving break. Don’t be afraid to make the investment if you know you will rewear it! Some good, cute options I would recommend are Women’s Hydrenalite™ Down Hoodie, The Super Puff™ cliMATTE™, The SuperSnug Puff™ – Hi-Gloss, Mid-Weight Down Puffer Jacket.
Tip #2: Make sure your feet are warm
It sounds silly, but having cold feet in the middle of winter is the worst. Throw your sneakers and no-show socks in the back of your closet. Thick socks and boots are the way to go. You do not want to be slipping on your walk to class because you don’t have boots. Black ice is very hard to see, very common in Michigan, and, unfortunately, causes a very embarrassing situation if you trip and fall (it happens to the best of us). First, I would recommend checking out Bivouac on State Street, near the Dunkin’. It is a huge store with a wide array of boots and thermal socks to choose from. Half of the store is entirely dedicated to winter and ski related clothing items, so I highly recommend looking there first if you need any winter essentials ASAP! In terms of online shopping, I would check out Ugg and Sorel for cute boots that will make sure your feet stay dry and warm during the winter. I love my Women’s Classic Ultra Mini Platform boots for winter, but the only downside is that they take more time to dry if they get wet from the snow. If you are not a fan of water marks on your boots, get waterproof boots.
Tip #3: Find a nice cafe
If you have a nice spot you can bundle up in the winter with a nice hot drink, you’re set. It makes it so much easier to romanticize winter and distract yourself from the cold if you have a go-to, cozy spot. Ann Arbor has a decent amount of cafes. I would recommend visiting small businesses, as oftentimes their quality can be better than that of big businesses like Starbucks and Dunkin’. My favorite cafes are Argus Farm Stop (I prefer the Liberty St. location), Umma Cafe (as it is in the heart of campus, conveniently by Haven, Mason, and Angell Hall), and a new coffee spot that recently opened as of a week ago, Hazel Coffee Co. Hazel’s cinnamon sugar latte was perfection, and I can only imagine how comforting it would be to drink it on a snowy, winter day. Additionally, a good ambience of a cafe will make me study more efficiently, which is always a plus.
There you have it! My top three tips to get through a tough Michigan winter! I hope you found my tips helpful to set you up for success this winter season.