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sugar on snow at La Guintsette

at La Guintsette, Leysin

Europe/Zurich
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A family tradition and classic treat in regions that produce maple syrup

Sugar on snow is maple syrup that has been boiled down to the consistency of taffy and then poured hot on fresh snow. It is rolled up on a popsicle stick or fork and eaten like a lollipop. 

My grandfather used to host sugar on snow parties at the beginning of summer, but they are most often held during the season for making maple syrup February, March, and April. This year, we are going to share this tradition in Leysin just after Christmas. 



Sugar On Snow

By LAURA VISCOME

June 1, 1978 Lake Placid News

The snow in the large pan was firm Sunday as Howard Lawrence drizzled the boiling maple syrup over its granular surface. The season was Howard's annual “sugar on snow” party.

From its unannounced beginning nearly two months ago in the deep snow of his nearby sugarbush. to its delectable climax on this 80-degree May afternoon, this sugar on snow party was truly a Howard Lawrence production.

Seventy-six years old. with hair as white as the snow he was sugaring. Howard, with his wife Harriet, resides on the Old John Brown Rd Their home. Rolling Acres is only a stone's throw from Howard's birthplace the historic John Brown farmhouse

More than 60 invited guests of all ages gathered around Howard as he stood over his outdoor fireplace stirring the boiling maple. All anxiously awaited the sweetest event in town — savoring the taffy like confection.

A sugar on snow party is a traditional maple country event. It is usually held at the sugarhouse following the last boiling down of sap into syrup That batch is boiled to 252 degrees (Fahrenheit), thickening to a candy like texture Hardened by being poured on handfuls of fresh snow, gleaned from the nearby sugarbush, it is eaten like an ice cream cone. To balance the extreme sweetness, pickles and doughnuts are traditional accompaniments

These the Lawrence’s provided. However, on this hot May day the snow came from the freezer where it had awaited this day for several months.

A Lollipop

Using plastic forks, guests inserted them into the soft, cold, stringy maple sugar resting atop the snow and twirled it around their fork until the soft confection collected on the fork tines resembled a lollipop. It was eaten in the same way.

Howard drizzled more syrup over the snow the moment a batch disappeared. Much to the delight of young and old. There was virtually an unlimited supply. In fact, the supply outlasted the appetites. The pickles and doughnuts, plus sandwiches brought by the guests, all disappeared. Gallons of tart lemonade also balanced the sweetness. 

The sweetest day of the year ended happily for all. including Howard and Harriet.