It’s been a long winter. Ottawa became the coldest capital in the world last month, while a cold wave swept through Alberta before winter had barely even begun. And earlier this week, a rare heavy snowfall brought Vancouver to a standstill (although the rest of B.C. would like it to be known that they know what snow is). 

But the winter weather, while wearisome, can also create some beautiful opportunities for photography. Northern lights swirl eerily around seas of stars above the Arctic Circle, while in the forests of northern Ontario, both predator and prey pad soundlessly on soft blankets of snow. Can Geo’s Photo Club members have braved the cold to share with us some wonderfuly wintry shots from across the provinces and territories. Here are some of the best.