Get a plastic bag as a cover if your using it on a powder day. For the most part though, it's a fucking solid, reliable, and well-worth the money camera. It can take a bit of weather but try to keep the water off if possible. Get spare batteries too... LOADS of spares. Also, I'm used to shooting manual but if you're just starting out try using Shutter or Aperture priority. Your best time for pictures will come around sunrise or sunset if shooting nature shots in snow. Otherwise it just tends to be flat or blown out. Powder days, however, seem to be the exception since the snowfalls keeps your pictures dynamic. Hope that helps. Good luck and cheers homie