I find it quite amazing how well you can get that perfect photo of the snowy landscape with your digital camera.  Being in the outskirts of Buffalo definitely gave me plenty of opportunity for the shot that just makes others go "Wow, what an amazing shot!" As much as I would love to take the credit, I do understand that my digital camera is what makes the picture look that wonderful. Both of the attached photos were taken out of a moving vehicle’s back window.

If you have a landscape mode on your camera, trust it. Most of the time it will get that perfect shot without much effort or changing of settings. 

These photos were taken on an overcast day with no snow falling.  They almost look like they are in black and white.  The best winter landscapes you can get are usually found with a spec of color somewhere.  A red robin in a tree, a nice dilapidated but colored tractor would have made the top picture perfect.

Although I know this sound like an oxymoron, but if with the sun had been shining, the second photo really would have the "it" factor of being a professional photo. With the sun glinting off the trees, the lighting would have amazing to have the contract needed to make the picture "pop" off the page for you.

I suggest you go for a Sunday drive and take as making photos as your memory card will allow and I’m sure you will see something that will take your photographs to the next step.