Frost Tree

We are skiing in Vemdalen (Who Valley). Up here in the mountains it is colder than on the coast and also much drier, because any open water is frozen.
Today we skied mostly in sun. It was cold (-12 C) but not as cold as it can be.
The lift takes us up to the open mountain but a short way down we find the first trees - mountain birches.
These mountain birches are completely covered in frost and snow and appear to be white inaminate sculptures more than living structures.
When I see them in the sun, with blue sky behind them I feel priviledged to be here and to be able to see and appreciate such cruel beauty.