How To Make a Snow Angel

When the weather outside is frightful, there are few things more simple and delightful, than the time honored tradition of making snow angels. The timeless beauty of snow angels may be one of the few things that can improve on the serenity of an untouched area of newly fallen snow.

The first thing you need to make a snow angel is snow! A simple dusting is not enough because then you will end up with asphalt, grass or dirt angels, which are nowhere near as beautiful. Once three to six inches are blanketing the ground you have the most important component in making a snow angel.

Before you go outside, make sure you dress both warmly and in an outfit that is water resistant, as contact with snow is an intrinsic part of making a snow angel. Snow is primarily made of water, and dampness may occur when your body heat warms it up.

Now head outside and find yourself a patch of snow covered ground at least as long as you are tall, and as wide as your arms can reach fully extended. Stand at the bottom of this area and slowly lie down with your legs together and your arms at your side. Be very careful as you lie down and do not allow yourself simply to fall backwards, as the snow may hide hazards such as rocks and sharp branches that could hurt you. Splitting open your head may add a bloody halo to your snow angel, making it much more macabre than serene.

As you lie in the snow, move your arms as if they were flapping wings. When the fingers of your fully extended arms are about even with your ears, move them back down to your side. Do this repeatedly until the snow under you is tamped down. This will create the wings of the snow angel you are making.

To create the flowing robe when you make a snow angel, move your legs in and out at the same time as you are flapping your arms, mimicking the movement of a jumping jack. Again, continue this until the snow under you is well patted down.

Carefully stand up, and jump out of the area of snow you have now flattened. Take a few steps back from the area and look down to see an outline of an angel in the snow!