I've never heard winter referred to as a "she". It's always been Old Man Winter to me. So I think "he" is more appropriate in this case. Winter can be like a bitter old man, but I sure like it. Snow, gets dark early, cold; it's so tranquil. Come home from work, get warm and cozy and have a beer or three. Hibernate. Hmmm, good name for a beer, Hibernation Ale. But Great Divide already took the name! Boo! Well, they don't distribute to Iowa, so sorry for them. I'm using it for a homebrew!
Anyway, on topic, I really wish I had a fire place...it'd make winter even more amazing than it already is.