the winter or winter?
I spent the winter/ winter in Austria.

with or without an article? will you please explain it?

thanks a lot.

Question

the winter or winter?
I spent  the winter/ winter in Austria.

with or without an article? will you please explain it?

thanks a lot.

Answer

I spent the winter/ winter in Austria.> Both are acceptable .
The winter > you are specifying the season of winter
Winter > you just specifying winter as a noun

But , if you want to specify a certain winter , then the article should be used .
In the winter of 2015 , I was in Austria

Answer

"I spent the winter in Austria" sounds natural.

I wouldn't say, "I spent winter in Austria" (doesn't sound correct).

"Winter is a time for hot cocoa and blankets" (noun: without the article)