Winter Solstice Special
Full moon and the Winter Solstice are upon us! It's that time of the year where it feels like its dark when we wake up and dark when a lot of us get out of work. While it is dark out most of the day, today is a mark in the transition of the year and a time for many people to celebrate in all different fashions!
Twice a year the Earth is at it's maximum tilt away from the sun. Once in the winter and once in the summer either hemisphere will experience continuous darkness or daylight during this period. In the northern Hemisphere around December, they will experience the shortest day or the year or shortest duration of sunlight. In the farthest north regions, they will experience almost total darkness for months of time. This occurs because the sun is at its shortest distance to the earth. The Winter Solstice occurs on either December 21st or 22nd depending on the year.
The Winter Solstice has major historical and cultural significance across the world and is celebrated in many different fashions. Before the times of watches and calendars cultures survival was dependent on the changing of seasons. The solstice marks the transition from short days to longer and is known in a lot of cultures as the start of winter, birth of the new year, or celebration of light.
Many regions around the world have festivals, ceremonies, feasts, dances, and celebrations for the solstice. A common theme of these celebrations is live music, using lights or lanterns to compliment the darkest day of the year, and big feasts to bring everyone together.
In many mountain towns, it is common for folks to celebrate by skinning up under the moonlight or by headlamp. This can be one of the most beautiful things done when executed properly. On top of this many of our staff enjoy having bonfire lite get together with drinks, good music, and better company. We all hope that you get the opportunity to go it can be such a fun thing to do!
Whether you are getting outside to celebrate Winter Solstice or are taking advantage of Bridger Bowl's official opening today, check out our Winter Collection to keep you warm out on the mountain!
While many of us are getting ready to celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, and Kwanzaa don’t forget about Winter Solstice in your holiday activities! Regardless of how or what you celebrate, we hope you all have the opportunity to get outside, be safe, and have fun!