winter sports

January 11, 2026 • 15 Comments

The snow that fell on Friday and Saturday was the type that makes both downhill and cross country skiers salivate. A powder that seems to be exclusive to locations with fairly dry, perfectly chilled air and high elevations. Those conditions allow the skier to slide with ease down a slope or across a landscape, and become airborne, if desired.

Not as well known is the winter sport of rug cleaning. For centuries, weavers and rug owners from the Navajo Nation, to Sweden, Finland, Tibet, and many other areas around the world, take their rugs out to the snow for a winter dry cleaning. Saturday's snow in Santa Fe brought Fred back into the house after shoveling snow early that morning, declaring "I am going to clean our rug today", necessitating a photo shoot. The rug in question is Rug 245, woven by Fred in 2015.

Rolling the rug before taking it to the driveway for cleaning at 17° Fahrenheit (-8° Celsius)

Rug 245 snow cleaning 1 2025

In place for the dry snow cleaning process

Rug 245 snow cleaning 2 2025

He starts by distributing the powder over the surface of the rug, and then sweeping it thoroughly.

Rug 245 snow cleaning 3 2025

Rug 245 snow cleaning 9 2025

Rug 245 snow cleaning 4 2025

The next step is to shake the snow from the rug, removing any dirt or household tidbits that may have accumulated on it since the last cleaning. Because the snow is so dry, the powder adds very little weight, if any, allowing the rug to dry quickly. The process was repeated on the other side.

Rug 245 snow cleaning 5 2025 Rug 245 snow cleaning 6 2025 Rug 245 snow cleaning 7 2025 Rug 245 snow cleaning 8 2025

Normally, time is of the essence in the process because it needs to be accomplished before the snow melts or otherwise changes consistency. In this case, it was quite cold all day. But the early morning hours were perfect regardless and it worked brilliantly.

Thanks to Tim, Steve, Victoria, Gustavo, Jean & Sam, Louise & Jim, Terry T., Catherine S., Connie T., Peggy, Dianne J., and Heather H. for kicking off 2026 with comments on last week's blog.

Who knows what "winter sports" are lurking in the wings to be photographed. Perhaps you will find an equally odd one to photograph this week!

until next week,

a passion for the image©

Keywords: Blacks Crossing Photography, Daryl A. Black, Navajo-Churro wool, New Mexico, photography, rugs, snow dry cleaning, weaving

Comments

Dianne James(non-registered)

Looks like Fred's gonna take a magic carpet ride. Thanks for the information on rug cleaning. That's awesome!

Catherine Sobredo(non-registered)

What a fascinating rug cleaning process! Love the images, Daryl! It’s always a pleasure to see one of Fred’s rugs. Thank you!

Steve Immel(non-registered)

What a treat! I had no idea that fresh snow could clean a rug. Your post is both funny and instructive. How did he know about this technique? I assume it's an ancient practice. Does he do it frequently as we would vacuum a rug weekly? Anyway, I'd need a parka to do that job.

A really fun story, Daryl. Thanks.

Ingrid(non-registered)

This brings back foggy memories from a German childhood. My mother and housekeeper wrestling a Persian rug outside into the snow and beating it with a rattan rug beater to clean it. Thanks for the photos and memories.

Louise Watkins(non-registered)

Such a wonderful photo shoot! Amazing process! Thanks for showing it.

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