Skiers enjoy the Nordic Trails on Casper Mountain recently. (Courtesy Richard Gonzales)

CASPER, Wyo. — Let’s be honest: Wintertime in central Wyoming can be intensely frustrating.

It’s cold, often windy, and this year it’s been unusually snowy. Everything takes a bit more effort, from driving to simply dressing up with the proper clothing.

That said, there are times when it’s well worth pausing and looking around at the natural beauty unique to this area.

We asked our readers to do just that. Here are the results:

(Courtesy Ana Lester)
(Courtesy Justin Kinner)
(Courtesy Justin Kinner)
(Courtesy Richard Gonzales)
(Courtesy Patricia Rosenbaum Lewallen)
(Courtesy Richard Gonzales)
(Courtesy Richard Gonzales)
(Courtesy Donna O’Quinn)