The Sami, whom someone has decided to call the "only indigenous people of Europe", have more than 100 words for snow. For example: seaŋáš - fluffy, granular snow, or tjaevi - sticky, wet snow that is difficult to dig through. The words meant to denote snow depend on the snow's texture, depth, density, and the harsh conditions of the Arctic.

The Sami of the Sápmi region, whose traditional occupations are fishing, trapping, and reindeer herding, have not invented a word to describe the type of snow they are seeing on the ground more and more often. It has no name. It is unclear what to call it and what it is - it is somewhat similar to the early tjaevi usually encountered in March. As winters become warmer, sleet or freezing rain is often experienced, which prevents reindeer from reaching their food.
Photo by Pierre Pellegrini