The Daily Gamecock

PHOTOS: USC students turn campus into winter playground during historic snowstorm

As a historic snowstorm pummeled the Midlands, USC students took the opportunity to enjoy the rare snow. From sledding to snowball fights, students turned the campus into a winter playground.

A snowman waves to passing students at the Horseshoe on Jan. 31, 2026. The winter storm brought in rare snowfall to the Columbia area.
A snowman waves to passing students at the Horseshoe on Jan. 31, 2026. The winter storm brought in rare snowfall to the Columbia area.
First-year environmental studies student Townsend Crosby drags first-year neuroscience student Moreen Rogers through the snow on the Horseshoe on Jan. 31, 2026. Despite the cold weather, many students came out to play in the snow on the Horseshoe.
First-year environmental studies student Townsend Crosby drags first-year neuroscience student Moreen Rogers through the snow on the Horseshoe on Jan. 31, 2026. Despite the cold weather, many students came out to play in the snow on the Horseshoe.
The Richard T. Greener statue, covered in snow, stands in front of the Thomas Cooper Library on Jan. 31, 2026. The library is operating under modified hours, but remains open.
The Richard T. Greener statue, covered in snow, stands in front of the Thomas Cooper Library on Jan. 31, 2026. The library is operating under modified hours, but remains open.
USC students slide down the hill at Athletics Village during snowfall on Jan. 31, 2026. The slope became a popular sledding spot as students used improvised sleds, including dumpster lids, to take advantage of the rare snow.
USC students slide down the hill at Athletics Village during snowfall on Jan. 31, 2026. The slope became a popular sledding spot as students used improvised sleds, including dumpster lids, to take advantage of the rare snow.
First-year biochemistry and molecular biology student Ryan Ezekiel prepares to throw a snowball outside Campus Village during snowfall on Jan. 31, 2026. Students took advantage of the rare winter weather to gather and play in the snow across campus.
First-year biochemistry and molecular biology student Ryan Ezekiel prepares to throw a snowball outside Campus Village during snowfall on Jan. 31, 2026. Students took advantage of the rare winter weather to gather and play in the snow across campus.
A USC student walks down the steep hill at Athletics Village during snowfall on Jan. 31, 2026. The hill became a popular sledding spot as students used household items, including trash can lids and trash bags, to slide down the slope.
A USC student walks down the steep hill at Athletics Village during snowfall on Jan. 31, 2026. The hill became a popular sledding spot as students used household items, including trash can lids and trash bags, to slide down the slope.
A group of USC students build a snowman together on the Horseshoe on Jan. 31, 2026. Friends came together to enjoy the 2-3 inches of snow that accumulated during the winter storm.
A group of USC students build a snowman together on the Horseshoe on Jan. 31, 2026. Friends came together to enjoy the 2-3 inches of snow that accumulated during the winter storm.
A student’s dog enjoys the fluffy snow on the Horseshoe on Jan. 31, 2026. The winter storm brought in a rare 2-3 inches of snowfall to the Columbia area.
A student’s dog enjoys the fluffy snow on the Horseshoe on Jan. 31, 2026. The winter storm brought in a rare 2-3 inches of snowfall to the Columbia area.
A student catches a football in a casual game on the band practice field at 326 Sumter St., Columbia, South Carolina, on Jan. 31, 2026. Hundreds of students spent the day outside despite the cold weather.
A student catches a football in a casual game on the band practice field at 326 Sumter St., Columbia, South Carolina, on Jan. 31, 2026. Hundreds of students spent the day outside despite the cold weather.
USC students enjoy the winter storm by having a snowball fight on the Horseshoe on Jan. 31, 2026. An estimated 2-3 inches of snow accumulated, which was a surprise for the Columbia area.
USC students enjoy the winter storm by having a snowball fight on the Horseshoe on Jan. 31, 2026. An estimated 2-3 inches of snow accumulated, which was a surprise for the Columbia area.