The first week of the Winter Olympics lived up to expectations, if not surpassed them. These Olympics have seen it all: the glory of a win, tears streaming down medalists' faces, the crushing shock of a fall and athletes collapsing in disbelief after coming up short.

But here's what ties it all together: Winter is hands down the most photogenic backdrop in sports.

Snow catches light like nothing else, creating backdrops that could be in movie scenes. Cold air makes every breath visible, every celebration dramatic, every crash unforgettable. The mountains, the frost, the way weather frames these moments change the whole aesthetic. We pulled the best shots from the first week in Milan, and the visuals are unmatched.