Learn More
Why don't mountains ever get cold?
This chilly piece of wordplay works by giving a geological feature some human personality. The term "snowcap" is doing double duty here. We know it as the permanent layer of snow at a mountain's summit, but the joke cleverly reinterprets it as a cozy piece of headwear, like a beanie a mountain would pull on to keep its rocky head warm. The mental image of a giant landmass getting dressed for winter is what makes this simple pun so charmingly absurd.
Ironically, a real snowcap is proof that the mountain is anything but warm. These caps form because the temperature at high altitudes drops significantly, causing precipitation to fall and accumulate as snow and ice. These majestic, snow-covered peaks are the very reason many of us travel, seeking out ski slopes or breathtaking views. So while the mountain isn't actually wearing a hat, its "snowcap" is a sure sign that you should probably bring one.