I grew up in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. Right in the middle of the bare Canadian prairie and near Winnipeg, commonly called "Winterpeg". In my teenage years and

I grew up in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. Right in the middle of the bare Canadian prairie and near Winnipeg, commonly called "Winterpeg". In my teenage years and during university (late 2000s, early 2010s) I could look forward to returning over Christmas and going for a skate at the outdoor skating oval or going cross-country skiing at some trails in the Brandon hills. Not so for the couple years prior to covid. I haven't returned during the pandemic but it also wouldn't have been possible to do winter outdoor sports if I had. Christmas is considered "early season" now I guess.