“How can we program the hell out of winter?”

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http://www.citylab.com/cityfixer/2016/01/how-edmonton-is-making-winter-great-again/424146/

ICE BIIIIIIIKE

Even beyond the upswing in citywide programming, the movement toward winter positivity has trickled down into the daily lives of Edmonton residents.

Holdsworth says that the city has seen a dramatic uptick in winter bike commuters; every Friday morning, a group of them gather in Etzio Farone park to make coffee in outdoor camping pots and chat.

Up until a few years ago, Erin Elizabeth Ross, a visual artist born and raised in Edmonton, would drive to work. One day, she decided to walk, and has been taking the outdoor route ever since.

“It got me thinking,” she says of the programming. “It’s winter here a long time, and I like being outside during all the other seasons. If I’m going to live here, I’m going force myself to be outside in the cold.”

Which isn’t so bad, Ross says. In fact, the winter has become something for the city to boast about.

“Edmontonians,” Ross says, “are actually kind of badass.”