[goto11]

Isn't it obvious? Winters in Scandinavia are dark and cold and nothing grows. A winter lasting multiple years would lead to starvation, so basically the end of the world. Especially if the sun and moon was eaten by a wolf.

But according to Völuspá, after the Fimbul winter there will be a big battle and the fire giant Surt will set the world on fire with his flaming sword. So you get both ice and fire!

If you are interested there is an English translation of Völuspá here: http://www.voluspa.org/voluspa.htm