Holidays Galore
Food Facts
Snow
Winter Sports
Winter Fun
100
What is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere called?
The Winter Solstice.
The Winter Solstice occurs when the North Pole is tilted furthest from the sun, resulting in the shortest day of the year
100
The Mayans invented this wintertime drink around 500 BCE, though their version was on the spicier side. They reportedly used ground-up cocoa seeds, cornmeal and chili peppers mixed with water.
Hot chocolate
100
How many sides does a snowflake have?
6
100
What unique winter sport involves teams of players sweeping the ice with specialized brooms?
Curling
100
The time the US Olympic hockey team beat the heavily-favored Soviet team in 1980 was famously referred to as:
The Miracle on Ice
200
What game do many Jewish families play during Hanukkah?
Dreidel
200
Why is the candy cane shaped the way it is (what is it supposed to look like?)
A shepherd's staff
200
What do bears do during the winter?
Hibernate
200
Which state has the most ski resorts?
New York
200
What is the name of the dogsled race that goes from Anchorage to Nome in early March?
The Iditarod
300
What traditional New Year’s Eve song, sung at the stroke of midnight, was originally a Scottish folk song?
“Auld Lang Syne.”
300
What's the name of the potato pancakes (or fritters) that Jewish people eat for Hanukkah?
Latkes
Classic latkes are made with shredded potatoes and grated onions, bound with flour and eggs, then pan-fried
300
A snowstorm that lasts at least 3 hours with winds over 35 miles per hour and reduced visibility is a:
blizzard
300
Which Scandinavian nation leads the all-time Winter Olympics medal count?
Norway
300
Which state has the most snow days per year?
Alaska
Several locations in Alaska receive over 600 inches of snow annually, far exceeding snowfall levels seen in the continental United States
400
What famous structure in England aligns with the sunrise on the Winter Solstice?
Stonehenge 
400
In what country did the tradition of decorating gingerbread houses start?
Germany
400
What’s the most snow a US city has ever gotten in one day?
a. 49 inches
b. 61 inches
c. 78 inches
d. 87 inches
78 inches in Valdez, Alaska, on Feb. 9, 1963
400
What year were the first Winter Olympic Games?
The first Winter Olympics, originally called the International Winter Sports Week, took place in Chamonix, France, from January 25 to February 5, 1924. Though not initially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as official Games, its success led the IOC to establish the permanent Winter Olympic Games.
400
What's the most popular day of the year to get engaged?
Christmas Day!
500
What holiday is celebrated between January 21 and February 20 in many Asian countries?
Lunar New Year
Predominantly known as the Spring Festival in China (see Chinese New Year), traditions include cleaning homes, family gatherings, festive foods, red envelopes, and fireworks.
500
What was the original purpose of marshmallows before they became a popular candy?
medicinal syrup and ointment
Originally, marshmallows were made from the root sap of the marsh mallow plant (Althaea officinalis), combined with sugar and egg white. This concoction served as a medicinal syrup and ointment, known for its soothing properties to treat ailments like sore throats, coughs, and skin irritations. Over the years, the use of marshmallows transitioned from medicinal to culinary, evolving into the sweet treat we know today.
500
Which country gets the most snow?
Japan, which can get up to 600 inches in a winter season.
The combination of cold air from Russia and moisture from the Sea of Japan causes perfect snowy conditions.
500
What is the first city in the world to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics?
Beijing
500
What is the name of the traditional celebration where people jump into freezing water in January?
Polar Bear Plunge
