As someone who’s hosted more than my fair share of holiday gatherings, I’ve learned that a good trivia game can transform a chilly winter evening into hours of laughter and friendly competition. I still remember the time my family was snowed in during a power outage, and our winter trivia game saved the night, illuminated only by candlelight!
I’ve put together this collection of 100+ winter trivia questions covering everything from winter holidays and sports to fascinating cold-weather science and winter pop culture. Whether you’re planning a holiday party, looking for a fun classroom activity, or just want to test your winter knowledge, these questions are perfect for bringing warmth to those cold winter days.
Winter Weather and Science
Winter brings fascinating scientific phenomena and weather patterns that many of us experience but might not fully understand. These questions will test your knowledge about the science behind snowflakes, the coldest temperatures ever recorded, and other meteorological winter wonders.
- What causes a snowflake to form?
Answer: Water droplets freezing around a particle (like dust) in clouds - What is the Celsius temperature at which water freezes?
Answer: 0 degrees Celsius - What phenomenon causes the Northern Lights that are often visible in winter?
Answer: Solar particles colliding with gases in Earth’s atmosphere - What is the scientific study of snow called?
Answer: Nivology - What is the average temperature of a snowflake?
Answer: 32°F (0°C) - True or false: No two snowflakes are exactly alike.
Answer: Generally true, though scientists cannot absolutely prove it - What is a “snow roller”?
Answer: A rare, naturally occurring cylindrical snow formation that resembles a rolled-up carpet - What meteorological condition is needed for lake-effect snow?
Answer: Cold air moving over a warmer body of water - Where is the coldest permanently inhabited place on Earth?
Answer: Oymyakon, Russia - What is the lowest temperature ever recorded on Earth?
Answer: -128.6°F (-89.2°C) at Vostok Station, Antarctica - What causes freezing rain?
Answer: Rain that falls through a layer of freezing air near the ground - What does a hygrometer measure that’s relevant to winter weather forecasting?
Answer: Humidity or moisture content in the air - In which winter month does the Northern Hemisphere typically experience its coldest temperatures?
Answer: January - What phenomenon known as “thundersnow” occurs during some winter storms?
Answer: Thunder and lightning during a snowstorm - What is the primary gas that makes up snowflakes?
Answer: Air (snowflakes are about 95% air) - What causes the blue appearance of some glaciers and deeply packed snow?
Answer: The absorption of red light while blue light is reflected - During winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the Earth is actually closest to the sun. Why is it still cold?
Answer: The Earth’s axial tilt points the Northern Hemisphere away from the sun - What is the name for a winter storm with winds exceeding 35 mph and visibility less than 1/4 mile?
Answer: A blizzard - What does the term “frost quake” or “cryoseism” refer to?
Answer: A seismic event caused by freezing water in the ground - How many sides do most snowflakes have?
Answer: Six sides (hexagonal)
If you enjoy these science-based questions, you’ll love our collection of science trivia questions that cover everything from basic principles to fascinating discoveries!
Winter Holidays and Traditions
Winter is filled with holidays and traditions from cultures around the world. From Christmas and Hanukkah to Lunar New Year and lesser-known celebrations, these questions will test your knowledge of how people mark the winter season globally.
- What is the name of the Jewish festival of lights celebrated in winter?
Answer: Hanukkah - In which century did sending Christmas cards become a widespread tradition?
Answer: 19th century (1840s) - What is Hogmanay?
Answer: The Scottish New Year’s celebration - Which December holiday was created in 1966 as a celebration of African-American culture?
Answer: Kwanzaa - In the Netherlands, who accompanies Sinterklaas (Dutch Santa) and is said to take bad children away in a sack?
Answer: Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) - What is traditionally hidden in a Christmas pudding in the UK?
Answer: A coin (historically a silver sixpence) - What winter solstice tradition involves gathering at Stonehenge?
Answer: Watching the sunrise align with the ancient stones - In which country did the tradition of the Christmas tree originate?
Answer: Germany - What is the name of the Scandinavian winter festival that celebrates the return of light?
Answer: St. Lucia Day - What holiday was originally called “Saturnalia” in ancient Rome?
Answer: The precursor to Christmas - On what date is Groundhog Day celebrated?
Answer: February 2nd - What is the traditional meal eaten on Christmas Eve in Poland?
Answer: Wigilia (a meatless 12-dish feast) - What does the term “Boxing Day” originally refer to?
Answer: The day when servants and tradespeople would receive gifts (boxes) from their employers - Which animal pulls Santa’s sleigh in Scandinavian tradition instead of reindeer?
Answer: Goats - What winter festival features colorful ice sculptures and is held annually in Harbin, China?
Answer: Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival - What is the traditional Japanese New Year’s meal called?
Answer: Osechi-ryori - Which saint’s feast day falls on December 6th and involves leaving shoes out for gifts?
Answer: St. Nicholas - What is “Ded Moroz” in Russian tradition?
Answer: Grandfather Frost (the Russian equivalent of Santa Claus) - What does the term “wassailing” refer to in winter traditions?
Answer: Singing carols door-to-door or in orchards to ensure a good harvest - What is a Yule log traditionally?
Answer: A specially selected log burned during Christmas festivities
For those interested in holiday conversations, check out our deep questions to ask a girl that can spark meaningful discussions during winter gatherings.
Winter Sports and Olympics
Winter sports bring excitement and competition to the coldest months of the year. From skiing and snowboarding to ice hockey and figure skating, these questions will challenge your knowledge of winter athletics, Olympic history, and cold-weather recreational activities.
- In which year were the first Winter Olympic Games held?
Answer: 1924 - Where were the first Winter Olympics held?
Answer: Chamonix, France - What winter sport combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting?
Answer: Biathlon - Which country has won the most Winter Olympic medals of all time?
Answer: Norway - What is the length of an Olympic ice hockey rink in feet?
Answer: 200 feet long (61 meters) - Which winter sport features stones and brooms?
Answer: Curling - Who was the first person to complete a triple axel jump in women’s figure skating competition?
Answer: Midori Ito of Japan - What is the maximum number of players allowed on the ice at once for a standard ice hockey team?
Answer: Six players (including the goaltender) - What winter sport did Shaun White become famous for?
Answer: Snowboarding - In which Winter Olympic sport would you perform a “twizzle”?
Answer: Ice dancing - What is the name of the sled used in the Olympic skeleton event?
Answer: Skeleton sled - What is “mogul” in skiing?
Answer: A series of bumps on a ski slope - Which winter sport involves sweeping the ice in front of a moving stone?
Answer: Curling - What do the five Olympic rings represent?
Answer: The five continents (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania) - Which country invented the sport of ice hockey?
Answer: Canada - What is the world’s longest ski race called?
Answer: Vasaloppet (in Sweden, 90km) - In figure skating, what is a “salchow”?
Answer: A type of jump named after Swedish skater Ulrich Salchow - What winter sport features the “Tomahawk” and “Indy Grab” tricks?
Answer: Snowboarding - What is the diameter of an Olympic curling stone in inches?
Answer: 11.5 inches (29.2 cm) - Which Winter Olympic sport has an event called “Super-G”?
Answer: Alpine skiing
If you’re a sports enthusiast, you might enjoy our collection of sports trivia questions that cover a wide range of athletic competitions!
Winter in Pop Culture
Winter has inspired countless books, movies, songs, and other cultural touchstones. From holiday classics to snowy settings in film and literature, these questions will test your knowledge of how winter has been portrayed in popular culture throughout the years.
- In the movie “Frozen,” what kingdom does Elsa rule?
Answer: Arendelle - Who wrote the poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”?
Answer: Robert Frost - What 1993 comedy film features a weatherman who gets stuck in a time loop on February 2nd?
Answer: Groundhog Day - In the song “Winter Wonderland,” what do the characters build in the meadow?
Answer: A snowman (that they pretend is Parson Brown) - What winter-set horror film features the line “Heeeere’s Johnny!”?
Answer: The Shining - In C.S. Lewis’s “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” what season is it in Narnia under the White Witch’s rule?
Answer: Always winter (but never Christmas) - Which Christmas movie features a character named Buddy who was raised as an elf at the North Pole?
Answer: Elf - What 1990 film features a boy being accidentally left behind while his family goes on Christmas vacation?
Answer: Home Alone - In the famous ballet “The Nutcracker,” what is the name of the main character?
Answer: Clara (or Marie in some versions) - Which Beatles song begins with the line “Here comes the sun, and I say it’s all right”?
Answer: “Here Comes the Sun” - In the TV show “Game of Thrones,” what is the motto of House Stark that references winter?
Answer: “Winter is Coming” - Which Disney animated film features Olaf, a snowman who loves summer?
Answer: Frozen - What 1954 film starring Bing Crosby features the song “White Christmas”?
Answer: White Christmas - In Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” what is the name of Scrooge’s deceased business partner?
Answer: Jacob Marley - Which winter sport is featured in the film “Cool Runnings”?
Answer: Bobsledding - What’s the name of the snowman in the animated film “Frozen”?
Answer: Olaf - Which singer released the song “Winter” on her album “For Seasons” in 2007?
Answer: Tori Amos - In the movie “The Holiday,” what two cities do the main characters swap homes in during winter?
Answer: Los Angeles and a village near London (Surrey) - What winter tradition is central to the plot of the Bill Murray film “Groundhog Day”?
Answer: Punxsutawney Phil predicting the weather on Groundhog Day - Which comic strip features a boy and his tiger who often go sledding and build weird snowmen?
Answer: Calvin and Hobbes
Looking for more cultural trivia? Explore our Disney princess trivia questions and answers for another fun category!
Animals in Winter
Many animals have fascinating adaptations and behaviors that help them survive the cold winter months. From hibernation and migration to physical changes, these questions will explore how wildlife copes with winter’s challenges.
- What do bears do during winter?
Answer: Hibernate (though technically it’s a state called torpor) - What bird can survive temperatures of -40°F by lowering its body temperature at night?
Answer: Chickadee - Which mammal changes from brown to white fur in winter for camouflage?
Answer: Arctic fox (also snowshoe hare, ermine) - What is the term for when animals spend winter in a dormant state?
Answer: Hibernation - True or false: All bears hibernate during winter.
Answer: False (polar bears don’t hibernate, except for pregnant females) - Which insect is known for migrating to Mexico for the winter?
Answer: Monarch butterfly - What do honeybees do during winter?
Answer: Form a cluster and vibrate wings to generate heat - Which animal grows a thicker coat rather than hibernating in winter?
Answer: Wolves - What adaptation helps penguins survive Antarctic winters?
Answer: Huddling together in large groups to conserve heat - What do wood frogs do to survive freezing temperatures?
Answer: They allow their bodies to freeze solid (up to 65% of their body water) - What animal can lower its heart rate to as low as 4 beats per minute during winter dormancy?
Answer: Groundhog - Which deer species is native to the Arctic and has special adaptations for walking on snow?
Answer: Caribou (reindeer) - What do honeybees feed on during winter when flowers aren’t blooming?
Answer: Stored honey - Which bird is known for caching thousands of seeds to eat throughout winter?
Answer: Clark’s Nutcracker - What color are polar bears’ skin under their fur?
Answer: Black - Which rodent doesn’t hibernate but stays active under the snow in tunnels called the “subnivean zone”?
Answer: Voles - What is “brumation”?
Answer: The reptile equivalent of hibernation - Which bird is often associated with winter and has “snow” in its name?
Answer: Snowy owl - How do sea otters stay warm in cold winter waters?
Answer: Through their extremely dense fur (up to 1 million hairs per square inch) - Where do most frogs spend the winter?
Answer: At the bottom of ponds or buried in mud
Animal lovers will also enjoy our comprehensive animal trivia collection with even more fascinating facts about wildlife!
Why Winter Trivia Is Perfect for Cold Days
There’s something magical about gathering around with friends and family when it’s cold outside and testing your knowledge with winter-themed questions. Not only is trivia entertaining, but it’s also a wonderful way to learn new facts about the season we’re experiencing.
I’ve used these questions during family game nights, classroom activities, and even virtual gatherings with friends across the country. They’re especially perfect for those days when it’s too cold to venture outside and you’re looking for indoor entertainment that engages everyone from kids to grandparents.
Winter trivia bridges the gap between fun and education – you’ll be surprised how many fascinating facts you’ll learn about this frosty season while enjoying the competitive spirit of a good trivia game!
Looking for more conversation starters for your gatherings? Check out our collection of interesting topics to talk about that will keep the discussion flowing after your trivia game ends!
Final Thoughts
Winter trivia isn’t just a way to pass time during those long, cold evenings—it’s an opportunity to learn fascinating facts about this magical season while having fun with friends and family. My family has made winter trivia a tradition during our holiday gatherings, and it’s always a hit with guests of all ages.
From the science behind snowflakes to holiday traditions around the world, winter sports and how animals adapt to the cold, I hope these 100+ questions have both challenged and entertained you. Did you know all the answers? Which category was your strongest?
Remember, trivia games are most enjoyable when everyone participates, so feel free to adapt these questions based on your audience’s interests and knowledge level. And if you’re looking for more ways to spark conversation during winter gatherings, check out our conversation starters for texting that can help break the ice with new friends or reconnect with old ones.
Stay warm, keep learning, and enjoy the winter season with some friendly trivia competition!