Coming back from the tropics reminded me how harsh winter in Canada can be, and how hard it can be to adapt to this unique challenge. Yet, because I’ve been living there for a few years, I’m prepared and within a few minutes of landing in Ottawa, I was wearing my full winter armour, complete with gloves and a hat.
Whenever I’m abroad and I mention that I’m from Canada, I always get the same reaction: “oh, wow, it must be cold up there!” People are always curious to know how we deal with our famous Canadian winters and how we survive these subzero temperatures.
Indeed, as soon as you step out of the airport or whatever warm place you were in, you will notice it’s cold—walking in the street in February may feel like wandering into a giant freezer. And note that there are different levels of cold: windy cold, dry cold and fucking cold. Any Canadian you stop in the street will happily volunteer to give you the exact temperature as well as the current windchill—we love bragging about how cold it is.
But the good news is, cold is surprisingly manageable.
When I first came to Canada, my parents were surprised to learn that under my big winter coat, my clothes were pretty ordinary: socks, pants, a t-shirt and a sweater, that’s it. Nobody wears two or three sweaters! The most important when going outside is to cover the exposed skin and to trap the body heat.
All you need is good winter gear, such as a thick waterproof coat, gloves, a hat and a scarf. Good shoes are also important for three reasons: first, you do walk in the snow and the slush a lot during the winter months and your feet can get wet easily. Second, ice can be slippery. Finally, salt really damages shoes and can leave stains on leather or suede. Most Canadians have a pair of winter boots for outside and switch to a pair of “office shoes” at work. Gloves prevent frostbites and hats protect your ears. A lot of Canadians bought the funky $10 Olympics red mittens last year, and the hot item was relaunched this year with a slightly different design.
Oh and please, just don’t imitate Canadians who can sometimes be seen outside wearing shorts and a t-shirt when it’s – 20°C. Seriously, only stupid college kids or Canadian who lost a bet can pull out that one.
Most newcomers will find the air is very dry in the winter. I noticed it whenever I go abroad and come back to Canada: within a few days, my feet and my hands are dry and itchy, my lips are cracked and my skin feels rough. The only solution is to moisturize. I always carry lip balm with me (I love Burt’s Bees’ and Blistex) as well as hand cream (my favourite are The Body Shop’s Hemp Hand Protector and Glysomed). And don’t forget to drink a lot of water!
The good side of dry cold is that it’s easier to warm up once you are indoors. In Brittany where I’m from, the temperature rarely drops below 0°C/- 5°C but it’s very humid and it rains a lot. The cold gets to your bone and I remember taking a lot of baths in a desperate attempt to warm up. In Canada, the cold bites you strong when you go outside but anywhere indoors is very well heated and houses are built for winter—they trap the heat in.
Finally, be kind to yourself in the winter. Cold weather really drains energy and walking in the snow or on a tricky patch of black ice is as tiring as walking in the sand. Remember that you don’t catch a cold from being exposed to cold—this is an old myth. Do go out though, or you will get cabin fever pretty fast. Some of the coldest days are gorgeous and very sunny with a clear blue sky!
And finally, remember—every winter ends one day.
>Some of the coldest days are gorgeous and very sunny with a clear blue sky!
Indeed! But those days seem somehow quite distant now.
I wonder why…
Let me ring Mr Obama and ask him why.
This is a very informative post for someone who hasn’t been used to weathers like we have (yeah, I am not living in Canada, but Buffalo is pretty much the same). I noticed that my first winter was the worst: my hands cracked and bled, and I never heard of lotion (I thought it was just something women put on their hands). I started using them the next year onward. However, this winter, my skin seems to have adjusted: I still forget using moisturizing lotion often, and yet I’ve never had instances of skin breakage and bleeding. And yes, the other day, we got a thaw, the temperature was about 8 degrees Celsius, and I felt warm enough to not wear my coat and just a leather jacket.
Yup and that’s why we live where it’s warmer in Canada… We have threats of snow from time to time, but mostly that stuff stays where it should at the ski hill! Great report though and yes I love those Red Gloves! It’s kinda the same thing feeling when would be coming back to North Vancouver or AKA the rain forest…
I already find my skin to be dry and itchy in rainy Ireland, I don’t know how it would cope in Canada?
I know that I would love to see Canada in winter, but I kind of think I wouldn’t be able to do as much as during the good weather.
Honestly…I would not survive the cold temperatures of Canada.
I already complain when it is +15 C.
This winter you were basking in the sun while we in what are usually the milder climes were freezing our butts off. -14 F? Give me a break.
Welcome home and thanks for taking us with you.
I m a new visitor on your interesting blog and I ll come back very soon for to read some posts
Have a great sunday
Noel
I find that a damp cold is much more difficult to deal with than a nice, dry cold. When I lived in France I was freezing all the time, despite my hat, gloves, and warm coat. In the US, where the weather is dryer, the cold is much more manageable, even if it’s 20-30 degrees colder!
@Linguist-in-Waiting – It’s funny how we quickly get used to cold temperature. I don’t feel it yet but the other day, it was 10C and it was “hot” for everyone around me!
@London Caller – Nah, we still have a lot of nice days here.
@expatraveler – But Vancouver is very rainy, I’m not sure I would like it, coming from another rainy place. Although it would be nice to have warmer average temperatures.
@Em – Walking around is more difficult in the winter, especially in Dec-January. That said, it’s a unique experience and it can be fun. I loved it when I first came because it was so different and the weather was so extreme!
@Sidney – You would, but your camera may freeze though 😆
@Tulsa Gentleman – I’m still amazed how cold it got for you guys!
@noel – Thank you, and welcome!
@Soleil – Damp and cold weather is the worst I think. I know exactly what you mean… in France, I was always cold indoors!
Hi Zhu, long time no see (me I mean – I have noticed your visit and nice comments!)
Well, what can I say about “too cold”; You know my saying; There is no such as bad weather, only bad clothes” – and do you know what; I’ve had an interview for Canadian TV because of that. A whole film crew came over to Oslo last week to check if the Norwegian was as crazy about winter and snow as I brag about on my blog. I’ll post details later 🙂
Nobody wears two or three sweaters?
When it’s REALLY cold, I wear a sweater and cardigan. Does that count? Plus, one thing that every Canadian MUST own are long johns (ie. thermal underwear) particularly for the legs, because jeans alone oftentimes won’t cut it.