Overnight blizzards transformed the Mourne and Sperrin Mountains into picture perfect Christmas card scenes as police advised drivers to take extra care on minor untreated roads.
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Rural areas saw the heaviest snowfalls, making life hard for all farmers.
Mary O'Kane and her son Dan farm sheep on the mountain overlooking Glenshane Pass.
"It's hard work, especially in this weather, but there's nowhere I'd rather be," Mary told UTV.
"The weather has been bad for weeks now and it's getting tougher to get feed to the sheep", her son Dan explained.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Water told Stormont's regional development committee there were more than 480 bursts on the network as temperatures plummeted to -18 Celsius earlier this year.
Around 25,000 properties were affected by fractured water mains and pipes during the coldest spell for 40 years over the New Year.
Director of corporate affairs at NIW, Pat McParland, said: "This has had an effect on our leakage levels and just to set expectations, we will struggle to meet our targets following what has happened."
The committee also questioned Department for Regional Development officials about roads maintenance.
SDLP committee member Tommy Gallagher claimed lack of finance was forcing the department to give up on its "very limited" targets for minor roads maintenance.
"We have had a terrible winter and now we are going into the spring months which traditionally do the most damage to road surfaces. Our minor roads are in an awful state and it must be time for the executive to step in."
A Roads Service spokeswoman said: "Roads Service would welcome any additional funding for roads resurfacing and repairs, but will continue to spend its budgets in the areas of greatest need."
Public spending on roads is 36% higher in Northern Ireland than in England.
Several roads in the Sperrins and the Mournes were closed for a number of hours overnight.
But snowploughs and gritters have been out in force to make sure major routes were clear.
As the last vestiges of the Big Freeze linger on, older people say they are finding it difficult to get out and about.
Pensioner William Hassan lives in a cottage in the hills overlooking Feeney village.
"The snow's beautiful," he told UTV, "but it makes it awkward getting to the shops. Thankfully I've a good friend and neighbour who picks me up and helps me get around."
"I remember 1963 and the winter that year was the worst of my lifetime. The temperature was colder and the snow was deeper."
The Met Office said more sleet, snow and ice are expected in the coming days.
© UTV News