From Hibernation to Hive of Activity: Reinvigorating Winter in Boston

Boston winters take a beating for their cold, snow, and gray skies. But former City Councilor Mike Ross is on a mission to change that perception. 

In the November 2025 issue of Boston magazine, Ross explained that Boston used to be a haven for wintertime activities. During the 1880s, there were “at least five toboggan slides … people ice-skated on practically every frozen body of water, and roasted-chestnut vendors pushed their carts through downtown,” according to Ross.

Today, however, Boston has lost that winter vibe. According to Boston.com, Boston's hotel occupancy has decreased by more than 33%, and restaurants see slower sales. Not to mention, Boston is ranked one of the worst cities in the United States for seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Over the past few years, individuals and organizations have been working to combat the winter doldrums. Winter markets like The Snowport have become a part of the city's holiday celebrations. Pop-ups like the outdoor art installation WinterActive and urban saunas have been awakening people's attention. Even Boston's tourism bureau got on board this year. They launched the Frostival, a citywide winter event series featuring wine festivals, Ferris wheels, and drone shows over the Common.

In his Boston magazine piece, Ross challenges Bostonians to come up with more ways to laugh at the cold. “In a city that channels this much intellectual energy into complaining about winter, imagine what we could accomplish if we redirected that same passion toward finding even more fun solutions,” he proposed.