15 Photos That Prove St. Louis Is Gorgeous When It's Cold

No, you're not being a wuss — it's ridiculously cold outside, with temperatures hovering around 0 degrees Fahrenheit during this morning's commute. The high for the day? A balmy 17 degrees.

But there's a silver lining to this cold snap: St. Louis looks positively gorgeous right now. With a light frosting of snow sparkling under bright blue skies, it's almost enough to make you want to take a walk in the park. Almost.

We had to dig into our archives to find the photo above; from 1994, it shows a frozen Mississippi and the Arch looking regally icy. But the other photos we've rounded up are far more recent. Shot in the last three days, they show just how gorgeous the city looked as we experienced not only a white Christmas, but a majestic Boxing Day as well.

And hey ... no need to go outside. These talented photographers have brought the beauty of St. Louis to you — no thermal underwear needed.

1. From Forest Park

Don’t mind that woman in the background. #stlwx #stl #forestparkforever

A post shared by Wendy (@dubyah24) on Dec 23, 2017 at 4:07pm PST

2. From Clifton Park

Winter Wonderland ⛄️ #cliftonpark

A post shared by Kristen Leah (@kristenleah83) on Dec 24, 2017 at 9:58am PST

3. Lafayette Square

Another from beautiful Lafayette Square. #snow #stl #stlouis #saintlouis #stlouisgram #stlarchitecture #explorestlouis #architecture #archi_ologie #winter #stlwx #secondempire #christmas #beautiful #perfect #oldhouse #historic #lafayettesquare #canon #teamcanon #rebelt5i #loveit #victorian #victorianarchitecture #instadaily #instalike #love #picoftheday #photooftheday #amazing

A post shared by Jason Hoffmann (@jhoff1257) on Dec 24, 2017 at 1:35pm PST

4. Benton Park

It’s Christmas time in the city. #bentonpark #stlwx #explorestlouis #firstsnow #winterwonderland #neighborhood #christmas

A post shared by Liz Gerard (@liz_a_gerard) on Dec 23, 2017 at 10:24am PST

5. Tower Grove South

First snow of the season! It’s not much but it’s more than a dusting and it’s beautiful. My red brick city wears a white coat so elegantly. ⚜️❄️🌨 #whitefestivus #stl #stlwx #snow #winter #towergrovesouth #stlouisgram

A post shared by Mike Rengel (@mrengel80) on Dec 23, 2017 at 5:23am PST

6. Downtown

Fluffy, pretty snowfall this morning in St. Louis. Fresh snow makes for lovely, serene photos of my neighborhood❄️😍❄️ . . . #stlouis #stl #missouri #midwest #citylife #stlouisgram #bestofstlouis #stlouisphotographer #explore #justgoshoot #saintlouis #debbieshootsstlouis #luckytolivehere #cityscape #nps #gatewayarch #arch #stlwx #mowx #architecture #nature #picturetokeep_nature #myhappyplace #snow #downtown #downtownstl #instadaily #christmas #park #bench

A post shared by Debbie Fenelon (@debfene) on Dec 23, 2017 at 7:23am PST

7. Citygarden looks fun even in the freezing cold

The first snowfall of the year in downtown St. Louis was beautiful! It made my neighborhood look even prettier than normal😍❄️❤️ . . . #stlouis #stl #missouri #midwest #citylife #stlouisgram #bestofstlouis #stlouisphotographer #explore #justgoshoot #saintlouis #debbieshootsstlouis #luckytolivehere #cityscape #garden #gatewayarch #arch #stlwx #mowx #architecture #nature #picturetokeep_nature #myhappyplace #snow #downtown #downtownstl #christmasiscoming #WHPcelebrate #instadaily #bunny

A post shared by Debbie Fenelon (@debfene) on Dec 23, 2017 at 7:05am PST

8. The Arch is looking coy ...

Walking in a winter wonderland in downtown St. Louis Missouri. The first snowfall of the season did not disappoint at the Gateway Arch ❄️⚜️❄️ Let it snow❄️🎄❄️🎄❄️ . . . . #stlouis #stl #missouri #midwest #citylife #stlouisgram #bestofstlouis #stlouisphotographer #explore #justgoshoot #saintlouis #midwestnps #debbieshootsstlouis #luckytolivehere #cityscape #nps #gatewayarch #arch #stlwx #architecture #nature #picturetokeep_nature #myhappyplace #snow #downtown #downtownstl #christmasiscoming #instadaily #trees #winter

A post shared by Debbie Fenelon (@debfene) on Dec 23, 2017 at 2:55pm PST

9. Or maybe just cold?

Merry Christmas! Reminder the Arch and Old Courthouse will be closed at 4pm today (Christmas Eve) and will be closed all day tomorrow (Christmas Day). Safe travels and Merry Christmas! . . . . . . . #merrychristmas #happyholidays #christmaseve #letitsnow #snowday #snow #snowing #stlwx #weather #weatherchanger #yourewelcome #arch #thearch #gatewayarch #gatewaytothewest #gatewayarchnps #thereitis #nps #findyourpark #nationalparkservice #nationalpark

A post shared by GatewayArchNationalParkService (@gatewayarchnps) on Dec 24, 2017 at 9:29am PST

10. Beautiful days mean amazing sunsets

This sunset! Feeling the love at home in MO❤ . . . #StefGoesWest #home #missouri #foristell #christmas #sunset #stlwx #snow

A post shared by stefanie clynes (@stefanieclynes) on Dec 23, 2017 at 3:01pm PST

11.  Who's a good boy?

Winter. #stlwx @fox2now

A post shared by Randi Naughton (@randinaughton) on Dec 23, 2017 at 1:18pm PST

12. Forest Park forever!

❄️ Snow! ❄️ #stlwx #stl #forestparkforever #stlouisgram #explorestlouis #showme_photos

A post shared by Wendy (@dubyah24) on Dec 23, 2017 at 1:09pm PST

13. ... and ever!

Scenes from this morning's run in the winter wonderland that @forestparkforever has become! #stlrunning #forestpark #snow #winterwonderland #stlwx

A post shared by Susan Thomas (@susan6768) on Dec 23, 2017 at 7:07am PST

14. If the snow falls in St. Louis and no one makes their way to Art Hill to enjoy it, did it really even happen?

So thrilled to wake up to a White Christmas this year! Sled riding down art hill with my little elves @india_elizabeth @will_pilant_ was the best gift to Dad! #arthill #SLAM #sleighride #whitechristmas

A post shared by Ken Stückenschneider (@kenstuckenschneiderdecoration) on Dec 25, 2017 at 1:41pm PST

15. Clearly, we'll never have to find out!

A St. Louis tradition: sledding on Art Hill ❄️ 📸: @stl_from_above

A post shared by Saint Louis Fashion Fund (@stlfashionfund) on Dec 27, 2017 at 5:10am PST