With the recent influx of snowstorms hitting much of the U.S., I, along with many Americans, need a reminder of why it’s nice sometimes to live in a “winter wonderland.” In the early weeks of 2011, 49 out of the 50 states had snow on the ground. I can attest to this as I was stranded just yesterday on my way to a conference I was scheduled to attend in Austin! So when I came across a recent article by Forbes on Yahoo! about the Snowiest Cities in America, I was intrigued, particularly because many of these cities are fantastic places to live.

Denver took first place as the snowiest major city in the U.S. Nicknamed the “Mile-High City” because of its towering elevation at exactly one mile above sea level, Denver receives 60 inches of snow annually; however, with majestic mountains and first-class skiing, it’s also a first-class American city.

Cleveland, the second snowiest major city in the U.S., is just a couple of snowflakes behind Denver and receives an average of 59 inches of snow each winter. This town may receive its fair share of snow, but Clevelanders are used to the icy precipitation, and the white landscape only enhances the city.

Here’s what one of our own had to say: “One of the great things about living in Cleveland is that we may be one of the snowiest, but our city still runs smoothly throughout the winter because we’re snowy all the time,” said Ed Dolinsky, President, Coldwell Banker Hunter Realty. “While you hear of other storms in the news, it’s just another day in “snowy-land” here. We have open houses, and people are still searching for homes – regardless of the snow. The community is able to enjoy our winters overall. This year, Progressive Field transformed the Cleveland Indians’ baseball field into a tubing and ice skating venue called “Snow Days” for the families to enjoy even more winter activities,” he said.

A recent oddity is the immense amount of snow pummeling parts of the south, with areas of Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi getting a rare taste of winter. Historically, the north usually gets pelted, with five of the 10 snowiest metro areas hailing from the Great Lakes region, where Lake-Effect Snow affects nearby cities.

The two coastal cities making it into the top 10 are Boston (43 inches a year) and New York (29 inches). When taking all U.S. cities of any size into account, America’s true snow capitals include smaller-populated areas like Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Lander, Wyo., Buffalo, N.Y. and Syracuse, N.Y., which normally get 90 or more inches each winter. While many believe Fargo, North Dakota is a snow capital, the city only gets about 40 inches a year.

Check out the five Snowiest Cities below, or take a look at the full ranking here:

1. Denver, Colorado – Average annual inches: 60.3
2. Cleveland, Ohio – Average annual inches: 59.3
3. Salt Lake City, Utah – Average annual inches: 58.5
4. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota – Average annual inches: 49.9
5. Milwaukee, Wisconsin -Average annual inches: 47.3

Do you prefer sunny weather or snowy days?  What’s your best tip for making a home show well in the midst of winter?  Weigh in with a comment below!

Photo from Flickr user The Cleveland Kid