How can something so crushingly painful be so, incredibly beautiful? It's one of the paradoxical truths of winter; the colder it gets outside, the prettier everything tends to look. 

A post shared by Andrew Lai 🐢 (@andrewtheturtle) on Dec 28, 2017 at 7:02am PST

Toronto is currently experiencing one of the most brutal cold weather snaps we've seen in years, prompting many online to declare their allegiances to the couch – because if you don't go out, you can't get frostbite.

But nor can you see any of the stunning frost patterns beyond your own window.

A post shared by Jeff Bjarnarson (@nordic_hammer) on Dec 28, 2017 at 6:14am PST

The entire city is sparkling today with ice and snow and glossy buildings.

A post shared by Nick Freda (@nickfreda) on Dec 28, 2017 at 6:12am PST

It may be jaw-chatteringly cold out there, but it almost looks comfortable when captured on camera – like a soft winter wonderland.

A post shared by Alejandro (@ab.shots) on Dec 28, 2017 at 6:12am PST

It's not comfortable outside, of course. Environment Canada lifted its extreme cold weather warning for Toronto this afternoon, but Toronto Public Health's extreme cold weather alert remains in effect.

In either case, it feels like -22 Celsius with the windchill. 

A post shared by James (@james_oxy) on Dec 28, 2017 at 6:06am PST

That's what makes all of these winter photos on Instagram so impressive. People actually had to go outside today for shots like this.

A post shared by look alive. (@bdsix) on Dec 28, 2017 at 9:14am PST

In many cases, they likely had to take off their gloves to capture the magic.

A post shared by Sarah Estager (@sarah.estager) on Dec 28, 2017 at 7:43am PST

Even with touch-sensitive mitts, it's difficult to focus an iPhone camera.

A post shared by Tati (@ta_tuttifru) on Dec 28, 2017 at 6:07am PST

Thanks to everybody with the guts to actually go out and capture the effects of this confusingly gorgeous season.