Tweet13-01-2010 om 12:28 by Amanda Potter
With the heavy storm warnings of last week and the steady snowfall in Limburg, this winter is shaping up to be colder and snowier than it has been in several years. There is even talk of the canals in the North being open for the Elfstedentocht; something that hasn’t happened since 1997. Here in Maastricht the accumulation is still light by my Vermonter standards, but from what I’ve been told it may as well be a blizzard.

So how are we handling the snow? Not bad. Streets and bike paths are clear, but at least in my area of Maastricht few sidewalks have been shoveled. Biking in the slush for the first time was scary and train traffic remains a bit snarled. But the city in snow? Very lovely. Fortunately Maastricht has offered some local guidelines on the Gemeente’s website for how to handle the wintery weather:
- 1. The city will clear roads (and bike paths), but major roads will take priority over smaller ones. If you live on a side street you may need to do some clearing of snow yourself, or hire help, since these streets will be cleared last by the city.
- 2. Be careful when driving, biking, and walking because it is very slippery. Take it slow and you are encouraged to use the public transportation.
- 3. Do NOT use water on your front steps. It is dangerous and you could be fined. (For the International readers, it is common practice to wash your front steps as part of a regular cleaning routine. I don't do it because I'm on the 2nd floor.)
- 4. You should keep the sidewalks in front of your house/apartment building clear of snow. (This seems to be a lost art in my area.)
- 5. The city does not provide road salt, but you can purchase some at the grocery store.
Other Gemeente websites I checked did not readily have this information available, but the advice is sound and I would assume that following these rules would keep you in good stead. Newspapers can also keep you informed. Eindhoven has contracted with the local Vrijwillige Hulpdienst (Volunteer Emergency Assistance) to offer assistance to people who can’t easily get out of their homes. If you are in Eindhoven and need assistance or want to help, you can call 2447669 or email info@vhd-eindhoven.nl.
You can read the original statement about snow from the Maastricht Gemeente here (Dutch only). And if you can't escape from your home, stay in, have some warm Chocomel and watch this video of Winter in Maastricht by Marcel Brouwers.
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Amanda Potter moved to Maastricht from Boston, Massachusetts in April, 2009 with her husband Dan for his research position at the University of Maastricht. Between exploring their adopted country and learning about a new culture, Amanda blogs about her experience and the city at www.MaastrichtMinutiae.com. Amanda works as a freelance writer and web designer at www.FallenKitten.com and webmaster for the comic www.WalkingtheLethe.com. She has two globetrotting cats that keep her company in their second floor Maastricht flat.
2012
January- If the kids are happy...09-01-2012 at 09:59
2011
December- When Worlds Collide07-12-2011 at 09:04
September- A Farewell Top 10 of Maastricht28-09-2011 at 12:57
- Enjoy a Cup of Coffee21-09-2011 at 12:00
- Sushi Review: Take Sushi14-09-2011 at 12:00
- Bits and Bobs for Crafters07-09-2011 at 12:00
August- “Out of Storage” Art Show31-08-2011 at 12:00
- A Few More Meet-Ups24-08-2011 at 12:00
July- Bonnefanten’s Art Loan program 27-07-2011 at 12:00
- A Barefoot Walk in the Woods20-07-2011 at 12:00
- A Taste of Limburgish Beer14-07-2011 at 21:08
- Heiligdomsvaart Maastricht: A 7th Year Tradition06-07-2011 at 12:26
June- Eat your Herring29-06-2011 at 12:00
- Pinksterdag at the Kanne Flea Market15-06-2011 at 12:00
- Explore the Maastricht Underground08-06-2011 at 21:51
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Mai- Something for the Ladies: IWC South Limburg25-05-2011 at 12:00
- Regional Resources: The Value of Variety 18-05-2011 at 12:32
- Vise at a Run12-05-2011 at 20:08
- The Boekenfestijn Returneth04-05-2011 at 12:00
April- You’ll Have to Travel for Tulips27-04-2011 at 12:00
- Getting a Social Life?20-04-2011 at 19:39
- Being Prepared13-04-2011 at 12:00
- Footraces of the Maastricht: Spring & Summer06-04-2011 at 14:00
March- High Tea, Dutch Style30-03-2011 at 12:00
- A TEFAF Observer's Experience23-03-2011 at 12:00
- Sunday & Monday: Making Your Own Fun16-03-2011 at 12:00
- Learning Across the Border in Belgium09-03-2011 at 12:00
February- All-You-Can-Eat Sushi in Maastricht23-02-2011 at 12:00
- The Artistic Side of Cinema16-02-2011 at 12:00
- A Parade of Princes09-02-2011 at 13:28
- A Library Visit Without a Library Card02-02-2011 at 09:35
January- Visiting the VVV26-01-2011 at 12:00
- Finding a Pet Doctor in Limburg20-01-2011 at 10:30
- Terror at Tax Time?12-01-2011 at 12:00
- 5 New Adventures for the New Years07-01-2011 at 17:50
2010
December- A Little Wine, Cheese, and Sweets...30-12-2010 at 17:45
- Wintery Weather23-12-2010 at 12:00
- Flying Home for the Holidays15-12-2010 at 12:36
- Exploring Magical Maastricht08-12-2010 at 15:44
- Come to the Magic Mingle, Dec 16th01-12-2010 at 14:02
November- Jumping on the Bus24-11-2010 at 12:11
- A Day in Aachen17-11-2010 at 10:19
- Christmas Markets Across the Region11-11-2010 at 10:54
- Making NaNoWriMo the WoNoWriMo03-11-2010 at 12:00
October- A Spooky Night in Limburg27-10-2010 at 12:00
- Laptop seeking Wifi for Surfing20-10-2010 at 12:13
- Knippen a Little off the Top13-10-2010 at 10:00
- The House of Wonders: A Step into the 19th Century06-10-2010 at 13:47
September- Jazz: Finding the Music in the Maastricht Region30-09-2010 at 10:07
- Quiz Night for Trivia Fans22-09-2010 at 12:37
- Put it on Credit: The Rabobank Way15-09-2010 at 14:36
- Reading up in Maastricht08-09-2010 at 12:12
- Putting Your Best Eyes Forward01-09-2010 at 10:34
August- Preuvenemint 2010: A Taste of the World25-08-2010 at 09:07
- Let's Go Out to the Movies18-08-2010 at 11:03
- Take a Hike, In the Vijlenerbos11-08-2010 at 10:00
- Standing in 3 Countries04-08-2010 at 13:46
July- Exploring Valkenburg Castle28-07-2010 at 16:44
- 5 Summer Snacks for your Limburg Holiday21-07-2010 at 12:00
- Fietsen in the Maastricht Region14-07-2010 at 10:00
- Netherlands Makes it to the Finals!08-07-2010 at 14:17
June- Where do I Take this Prescription?30-06-2010 at 10:00
- Get into the World Cup Spirit23-06-2010 at 10:00
- De Hoge Fronten: My Hidden Backyard16-06-2010 at 10:00
- Coming to a Shopping Center Near You08-06-2010 at 21:56
- 6 Ways to Make your PinkPop Rock!02-06-2010 at 10:00
Mai- Zonder Titel: Discovery on the KunstTour27-05-2010 at 12:16
- Travel in Time with the Gallo Romeins Museum19-05-2010 at 12:03
- My 5 Favorite Places to Eat in Maastricht12-05-2010 at 11:22
- How To Be Your Own Checkout at Albert Heijn06-05-2010 at 09:07
April- Preparing for Koninginnedag in Maastricht28-04-2010 at 10:00
- A Bike Trip to Cadier en Keer21-04-2010 at 14:41
- Enjoying Cafes on the Outside14-04-2010 at 10:12
- What's better than a Museum? A Free Museum07-04-2010 at 10:00
- Making the Most of Train Travel01-04-2010 at 08:09
March- Springtime Community Art: Uber Uns24-03-2010 at 12:00
- Limburgish Cave Art17-03-2010 at 10:21
- Review of “De Dorst van Maastricht” Exhibit10-03-2010 at 10:00
- Business Resources in Limburg for New Freelancers03-03-2010 at 10:00
February- 20 Reasons Expats Should Attend Pecha Kucha24-02-2010 at 13:47
- Expat's First Carnival or Why I Attend Cultural Events17-02-2010 at 16:09
- What Your Gemeente can do for You10-02-2010 at 08:02
- 4 Likes and 1 Dislike of Running in Maastricht03-02-2010 at 10:00
January- Expat Cats (and Dogs)27-01-2010 at 10:00
- What's That Green Bin For?20-01-2010 at 10:00
- Snow in Limburg & How to Handle It13-01-2010 at 12:28
- Stroopwafels: Breakfast is now a Cookie08-01-2010 at 09:00
- Travel by the Maastricht Train Station01-01-2010 at 10:00
2009
December- Visiting the Vrijthof25-12-2009 at 10:00
- Spanning the Meuse in Maastricht18-12-2009 at 09:00
- Culture Surprise at the Doctor's Office11-12-2009 at 10:00
- Weekly Markets in Maastricht04-12-2009 at 10:00
November- Its Beginning to Look Like Sinterklaas...27-11-2009 at 12:00
- A Christmas Carol in the Velvet Cave23-11-2009 at 15:57
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