A young boy experiencing the awe and physical power of a fierce New England blizzard. Alongside his family and two guests, he takes shelter in the farmhouse and listens to his elders share stories around the roaring hearth. As an adult framing the narrative, he looks back on this domestic memory with deep affection.

A decisive and pragmatic farmer who ensures his family and animals are secure as the heavy snow sets in. He gives the firm order for the boys to dig a path through the towering drifts to the barn. Around the evening fire, he shares lively stories of his youthful days spent hunting, fishing, and living near the frontier wilderness.

The matriarch of the household, she keeps her hands busy at her spinning wheel while contributing to the evening's entertainment. Her stories range from early Quaker history and frontier encounters to harrowing accounts of survival at sea. She possesses a generous spirit and readily offers assistance to those outside the home when the storm clears.

The narrator's brother, who braves the snow alongside him to tend to the farm animals. The two boys turn the physically demanding chore of tunneling through the snow into an imaginative game, pretending they are exploring Aladdin's cave. He shares a strong bond with his sibling as they work and play together.

A man uneducated in formal schooling but possessing a deep, encyclopedic knowledge of the natural world. He entertains the snowbound group with tales of hunting, tracking, and understanding the subtle behaviors of woodland creatures. His enthusiastic storytelling transports the family beyond the snowbound walls, proving that nature acts as a grand, unhoused school.

An unmarried woman who lives a life of selfless dedication to her community. She brings a calm and gracious presence to the fireside, recounting fond, romanticized memories of husking corn and attending apple-bees during her youth. Despite her unmarried status, she radiates a warm, maternal presence in the home.

The older sister of the narrator, described as truthful, impulsive, and earnest. She works on her evening tasks by the fire and is quick to act on her generous thoughts, keeping her personal sacrifices quiet. She possesses a full, rich nature that anchors her strongly within the bustling household.

The youngest and dearest sister of the narrator, she watches the evening's events while resting upon a braided mat near the fire. She is gentle and affectionate, lifting large, sweet eyes to take in the stories and the comforting atmosphere. She shares a quiet, loving bond with the narrator, often following him contentedly around the farm.

A young, energetic boarder who teaches at the local district school. He pays his own way through life by teaching and peddling, bringing a lively energy to the house by singing college songs from Dartmouth, playing the violin, and teasing the family cat. He inspires his students with a passion for education while maintaining a cheerful, youthful spirit.

An eccentric, itinerant preacher boarding with the family. She possesses a passionate, intense personality and an uncompromising religious vision, bringing a serious, formidable, and sometimes sharp-tongued presence to the otherwise cozy gathering. She blends the traits of a vixen and a devotee in her interactions with the others.

A wise, dedicated local physician who braves the deep snow to check on his patients. He pauses at the farmhouse door to alert the family that a sick neighbor requires aid, prompting the mother to answer the call of duty. His arrival signals the gradual reopening of the rural community following the severe weather.