Cold winter blast everywhere but winter Olympics

Much of the U.S. is battling a cold winter, and while most of us are shivering, we can appreciate one benefit -- a snow day for Congress.

But here's something interesting. The temperature in Vancouver, Canada, home of the 2010 Winter Olympics, is not cold enough to keep the snow from melting. They just get rain.

And so, according to USAtoday.com, snow is being shipped in with a Sikorsky S-64 helicopter capable of hauling 13,000 to 15,000 pounds of snow per trip for an average of 780 tons a day. A spokesperson wouldn't disclose the cost, according to the article. But it can't be cheap.

A downhill ski race in the rain will certainly be a unique viewing experience.