Original 0ae09dff89e898585607320dab9847e3.jpg?1449534856?ixlib=rails 0.3
Courtesy of loc.gov http://www.loc.gov/item/npc2008009083/
Austria, 1919
From Russia to Chile, a little extra snow makes the season feel festive

It's that time of year again, when the holiday season has us dreaming of hot chocolate and snow. Here are 17 gorgeous photos that prove that no matter where you are, or when you are, there's something magical about new-fallen snow.

Boston, Massachusetts, 1875

Lovely weather for a sleigh ride.
By J.J. Hawes [Public domain]/ via Wikimedia Commons
Lovely weather for a sleigh ride.

Chile, 1890
The mountains of Chile may be snowy most of the year, but they are still beautiful.
By Frank G. Carpenter/loc.gov
The mountains of Chile may be snowy most of the year, but they are still beautiful.

St. Petersburg, Russia, 1910
A light dusting of snow  over some of St. Petersburg's iconic architecture.
By Internet Archive Book Images [No restrictions]/Wikimedia Commons
A light dusting of snow  over some of St. Petersburg's iconic architecture.

Lafayette Park, Washington D.C., 1909
A quiet snow walk through Washington D.C.
Courtesy of loc.gov
A quiet snow walk through Washington D.C.

Shimla, India, 1875
India may be famously hot, but up in the mountains, the snow days are beautiful.
By James Craddock/bl.uk
India may be famously hot, but up in the mountains, the snow days are beautiful.

New York, New York, 1907
New York's morning commute in the winter has always been tough.
By Alfred Stieglitz/loc.gov
New York's morning commute in the winter has always been tough.

New South Wales, Australia, 1950
Those are some high-tech vintage skis that attach to ski boots with leather straps.
By National Library of Australia from Canberra, Australia [No restrictions], via Wikimedia Commons
Those are some high-tech vintage skis that attach to ski boots with leather straps.

Beijing, China, 1920
If it weren't for the distinct architecture, snow-covered Beijing could be anywhere.
By Bundesarchiv, Bild/Wikimedia Commons
If it weren't for the distinct architecture, snow-covered Beijing could be anywhere.

England, 1889
Looks perfect for ice-skating!
By Peter Henry Emerson/bl.uk
Looks perfect for ice-skating!

Paris, France, 1940
A classic.
By whatsthatpicture from Hanwell, London, UK/Wikimedia Commons ca 1940
A classic.

Russia, 1900
Festive decorations on a horse-drawn sleigh.
By Frank G. Carpenter/loc.gov
Festive decorations on a horse-drawn sleigh.

Detroit, Michigan, 1900
Peeking through the snow-covered trees in Detroit.
By Detroit Publishing Company/loc.gov
Peeking through the snow-covered trees in Detroit.

Murree, Pakistan, 1865
Like India, Pakistan is not usually thought of as a snowy country, but these powder-covered mountains are proof enough.
By Baker and Burke/bl.uk
Like India, Pakistan is not usually thought of as a snowy country, but these powder-covered mountains are proof enough.

Victoria, Australia, 1905
Who's up for a snowball fight?
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Who's up for a snowball fight?

Japan, 1974
There's something extra romantic about trains in the snow.
By Toshimasa TANABE/Wikimedia Commons
There's something extra romantic about trains in the snow.

Canada, circa 1900
It's all fun and games until the family dog refuses to play along.
Courtesy of loc.gov
It's all fun and games until the family dog refuses to play along.

>>Next: Stranger Than Santa: Europe's Most Unusal Christmas Characters