students traverse deep snow across the Arts Quad in the early 1980s

Dashing Through the Snow, in Vintage Style

Our latest photographic throwback chronicles students tromping across quads, frolicking in the white stuff, and more

By Joe Wilensky

Ah, winter on the Hill! Whatever decade you graduated from Cornell, the cold and snowy season is a quintessential Big Red experience shared across generations.

Our latest showcase of “Glorious to View” vintage photographs leans hard into winter—in both its stunning beauty and its logistical challenges.

Students of all eras trudged across quads buried in the white stuff and braved icy winds (as well as literal slippery slopes).

Students of all eras trudged across quads buried in the white stuff and braved icy winds.

But many of them also cavorted with campus canines, built snowmen, and frolicked amid the Hill’s natural beauty.

Most of these scenes of winter in Ithaca don’t look much different than they would today. Cornellians still trudge similar paths across campus, past icicle-festooned buildings, bundled up against the Ithaca weather.

Only the occasional Velcro sneakers, big hair, and other fashions of yesteryear—as well as the notable absence of smartphones—hints at the era in which these moments were captured.

So settle into a cozy indoor spot and scroll down for a bygone look at winter on campus. And share your own memories in the comments—especially if you recognize someone!

A view of icicle-covered Ag Quad buildings in the snow with Bailey Hall visible in the background in 1978

Icicles and snowdrifts on the Ag Quad in 1978, with Bailey Hall in the background.


Left: Playing fetch near Sibley Hall in 1984. Right: A student poses (thanks to helping hands) next to a snow creation in 1967.


the bridge over Beebe Lake toward North Campus is visible in the snow in 1977

The footbridge to North Campus crosses a winter wonderland in 1977.


students walk past the Cornell Store exterior on Ho Plaza in snow and slush in 1984

A slushy Central Avenue—now Ho Plaza—in front of the Cornell Store in 1984. (We assume the “Spring Fever” banner is aspirational.)


dogs frolic in the snow outside Morrill Hall in 1971

Cornellians cross the Arts Quad as dogs frolic in front of Morrill Hall in 1971.


Left: Velcro sneakers make for a relaxed outdoor fashion statement in 1984. Right: A snow sculpture takes shape near Goldwin Smith in 1971.


students walk through the Ag Quad amid deep snowdrifts in 1978

Students navigate paths through deep snow on the Ag Quad toward Mann Library in 1978.


a pedestrian with a red umbrella crosses near Sage Chapel in the snow in 1983

In this 1983 scene, a big red umbrella is a Cornellian’s reliable companion.


students trek toward Balch Hall and North Campus in the snow in 1984

A long and wintry walk back to North Campus in 1984.


students walk outside Olin Library in snow in 1985

Passing Olin Library through snow and slush in 1985.


a snowy Arts Quad and the A.D. White statue are seen through a starburst filter in a photo from 1982

In 1982, adding a rainbow starburst filter to a camera lens was trendy and cool!

Top: Students make their way across a snowy Arts Quad in the early 1980s. (All images courtesy of Rare and Manuscript Collections.)

Published January 23, 2025


Comments

  1. John G. Miller, Class of 1980

    I am pretty sure those 1978 photos include me! 🙂

    Just kidding, but the memories!

    Of course, growing up in Ithaca, the snow was no surprise.

    Thanks for posting these!

  2. Suzette Posada, Class of 1996

    Well, here I am in beautiful Saint Petersburg, FL and I definitely remember my years at Cornell!
    I was there from 1992 to 1996 and then I went to Villanova law school….
    Oh and I definitely remember the cold snow!

  3. Amy Jacoby Budish, Class of 1974

    What “cool” memories these winter photos dug up for me- Thanks!
    Warms my heart to know that I needn’t have taken personally the torture of late night walks through the frigid, snowy quad. These pictures confirm that Mother Nature hasn’t drifted from her ways and has continued the tradition!

  4. Diane Bishop Hanson, Class of 1959

    The black slush! Was it the left-overs from burnt coal that they spread on the snowy sidewalks? Until it all became slush from people walking on it, it looked like chocolate chip ice cream.

  5. Donald Blauvelt, Class of 1973

    Tray sliding with trays liberated from campus dining was always an adventure. The hay bales around the trees on Libe Slope usually helped.

  6. AMIR SHUJA, Class of 1995

    Going down the stairs, entering into Okenshields and refueling with friends at a windowed table felt best when there was the few feet of snow outside!

  7. Eve Deighton Pearson, Class of 1960

    Even after 65 years, I still remember trudging across Triphamner Bridge with my eyelashes frozen. And no boots—just sneakers to navigate the inevitable slush.

  8. David Warner, Class of 1991

    Most of these photos are very similar to my time at Cornell between 1988-91, which I look back on very fondly. Thank you so much for sharing!

  9. Mariangela (Nicolosi) Noyes, Class of 1986

    Twice during my years at Cornell (1982-86) I literally couldn’t make it up the long trek towards Balch to get to my home (NC1 and then KD house) in north campus. The snow that melted to slush froze over as night fell. I worked the late shift at The Copy Center at the Strait. Twice, after sliding backwards, a stranger approached, took my backpack and carried me up to the arch. Neither time did I get his name. I wish I had. So, if you’re out there reading this tonight, the man or men who carried me up the hill, thank you!

  10. Michael Schenker

    Too bad there were no pictures of cross-country skis propped up in the corner of a lecture hall. My best recollection was that in either the winter of 66-67 or 67-68 it snowed so hard that only the roads could be cleared. You walked in the roads or you skied to class.

Leave a Comment

Once your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Other stories You may like