The snowstorm last quarter was a wondrous and unplanned surprise. Many students found their classes cancelled and were graced with extra time to spend outside playing in the white stuff.

For those who didn't get a white winter break, as many wished they had, a short trip to the mountains can make that dream come true, providing an exciting day trip filled with snow fun.

But what to do with the snow once you've got it? Junior Nicole Schmidt had fun playing in the snow with her friends. Her activity of choice: a snowball fight.

"Snowball fights are my favorite thing because they involve other people, and most activities are more fun with others," Schmidt said.

They're extremely easy to organize as well: Simply get a group of friends together, make sure everyone is dressed warmly, "then make a snowball, and throw it at someone," Schmidt said.

What a good way to bond with your peers: Throw frozen white balls at each other.

"You also get a good workout from a snowball fight," Schmidt said, "by avoiding the balls from your friends."

Another easy snow activity is one everyone remembers from childhood: building a snowman. This is as simple as the snowball fight: Roll three balls of snow, one at a time, each slightly larger than the next. Then arrange the balls from the largest to the smallest on top of each other. Finally, decorate with a face (perhaps out of rocks or coal), a scarf, branch arms and voila: Frosty comes to town.

Like snow falling from the sky, snow angels are another way to celebrate this serentiy. Simply lay down, spread your arms and legs, and wave them back and forth. Then stand up, and it's as if you're looking at an angel in the snow.

Perhaps, though, the most popular activities are done on a mountain. Skiing and snowboarding are two activities made for snow and are popular among young and old alike. Freshman Nick Kramer is a big fan of snowboarding. He was originally a skier for 12 years, but once he tried snowboarding he was hooked.

"Snowboarding doesn't even compare to skiing," he said. "All you do is go down the hill as fast as you can. The better you get, the shorter you ride."

Kramer describes snowboarding as being a smoother ride than skiing, a feeling junior Sherry Whiteley can attest to.

"Snowboarding is a much better ride than skiing," she said. "Besides, what other activity lets you go as fast as you can while dodging other people and pegging your friends with snowballs?"

In order to learn snowboarding, lessons or an experienced friend is a must. Whiteley also recommends finding a car and driver that can get through the snow.

"Then get your board, boots and any other warm weather gear, get your lift ticket, get to the top of the mountain and hopefully get down the mountain without falling," she said.

Along with the fun of snowboarding itself, the activities that follow it are another way to enjoy the snow.

"I love to go boarding until I feel so tired that all I want to do is collapse by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate," Whiteley said.

With the warmth all around and a joyous attitude in the air, it's no wonder snow sports are so popular. If one is feeling up to the challenge, though, one thing exists that's even more complicated: building an igloo.

According to PBS' "Deadly Ascent" Web site, a program that follows researchers investigating high-altitude deaths on Alaska's Mt. McKinley, building an igloo is a good way to survive.

Igloo-building requires at least two people, and begins with one person stamping out the base with their feet. The second person begins by harvesting blocks 2.5 feet wide, 1.5 feet high and 0.5 feet deep. The base layer of the igloo should be wide enough for four people to sleep inside. According to the Web site, one person should always be inside the igloo to adjust the blocks and fill in any cracks.

The blocks are built to about shoulder height, and then one block completes the top. A tunnel is dug at the base for an entrance, and then the igloo is complete and ready for temporary habitation.

Whatever the activity may be, the snow is a perfect opportunity to get outside and have fun with friends.

"The best thing about the snow is that anyone can play in it," Schmidt said.

Reach reporter Stephanie Small at stephaniesmall @thedaily.washington.edu