Fraser Valley residents have had a wonderful winter surprise these past couple of weeks, and some are not happy about it. We live in an area that’s known for its mild winters and beautiful spring, but what can we do when Mother Nature plays tricks on us? Temperatures seemed to be rising, and the beginning of spring must have been just around the corner — only it was not. Abbotsford and Chilliwack have a history of unexpected heavy snowfall, yet our cities still seem to descend into chaos when winter decides to grace us with its presence for a second time. The Cascade spoke with various students about their experience with snowfall and school closures in the Fraser Valley. Some expressed excitement about the snow, while others saw it as a nuisance.
Chantelle Trainor-Matties – Visual Arts Student
“The snow becomes a nuisance when the city doesn’t manage it promptly. School shuts down which affects classes, and sometimes the school doesn’t shut down promptly enough either because they’re hoping the snow can be managed. Today a student [Isaiah Scott] got stuck at a bus stop; the buses shut down because our city just isn’t prepared for the small amount of snow we get.”
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Isaiah Scott – General Studies Student
“I was coming from Mission, and I had one transfer. I waited for a bit and my [next] bus hadn’t showed up at the time it was supposed to, so I called B.C. transit, and they had shut down the bus systems completely. I couldn’t get to UFV and I couldn’t get back home. I was stuck there. There are so many people relying on the bus systems, they need to have a plan at least for the people who do get stuck like me. Snow tires, chains, I don’t know what kind of provisions are required to keep the buses running, but they do it in Winnipeg where they have crazy snow all the time. It’s not impossible, it’s just a matter of figuring out how to do it. It kind of annoys me that they don’t put the effort in.”
Varessen Mudymootoo – BA French Student
“Seeing the snow after almost one year, it’s always fascinating. Walking, playing, or running in the snow is even more amazing, but in Abbotsford, it quickly becomes repulsive. A few inches of snow, and the city goes bananas! Schools and universities are closed for a few days, the streets and roads are all covered, and [car] accidents follow one another. It’s a real mess! The impact of the snow here is very negative: the shopping centres are almost empty, people prefer to stay inside — it is a great upheaval! It [turns into] a real ghost town.”
Erin Caskey – BFA Visual Arts Student
“As a student that commutes from Langley, it normally takes me at least 25 minutes to get to UFV — on a good day! When it snows, I am especially nervous driving in winter conditions over long distances. Even if the campus remains open, I would most likely stay home.”
After speaking with students, one thing is clear: the fun of a snow day can be lost with the pressure of university requirements. Having almost a week of missed classes, right before midterms and reading break, is a nightmare for many. With unreliable transit systems, and dangerous roads our ability to visit professor’s office hours, or meet a study group for exams, become extremely unlikely. Many will choose to prioritize their own personal safety, as they should. Perhaps the city should have a better plan to keep the roads safer for students, but it seems the Fraser Valley’s unpredictable weather will continue as usual.
Images: Alexandra Johnson (portraits) & UFV Flickr (snow)
