What Do You Do to ENDURE Quebec's Winters?

[ShyMan]

It was a very cold day in Montreal and the rest of Quebec (and the East Coast in the States) yesterday.

After years of making short trips to Montreal, I finally began setting up roots in Montreal (as a second home) -- I truly love the food, people, culture, history, and way of life. (Montreal's Metro is superior to the ones in NYC -- the trains on the Orange Line are so smooth.)

I'm trying to be as intelligent as the life-long Montrealers (and those in Quebec City and throughout Quebec Province) about coping with the winters there. I had an early taste weeks ago and I've been in Montreal in January and February.

I bought a Kanuk -25 degrees Celsius parka with fur (to shield my face) and long underwear at Sports Experts when it was having a sale. I hope they will be enough to keep me warm when I'm outdoor. And I can easily remove the Kanuk parka when I'm inside. If it gets colder than -25, then stay inside

Canada Goose opened its Montreal store last week. I went inside last Saturday during the Christmas Parade. I prefer the Kanuk because it's made in Montreal. I don't need to make any fashion statement by buying an uber expensive Canada Goose coat that starts at C$1,000+ and does the same job of protecting me as a Kanuk coat. (I went to the Kanuk factory store -- very cool. And walked a few blocks to my favorite Portuguese chicken restaurant--Ma Poule Mouillee.)

So, how do you life-long "locals" cope with the harsh winters? I've been told that when the weather turns extremely cold, it will not snow -- true? (I ask because I prefer North Face's Gore-Tex shells that are water proof, but neither Kanuk nor Canada Goose coats are water-proof; they are only water-resistant.)

What do you do to protect your face when the wind-chill is extreme?

PLEASE HELP, I NEED YOUR ADVICE. :hail::thumb:

Where do you keep your summer tires, when you switch to winter tires for your vehicles? What types of winter tires do you prefer? Are 4-wheel or All-wheel drive vehicles really necessary if there are already winter tires? (Buses are great -- thanks to great drivers like our friend "detour". The Metro is excellent. Uber is relatively safe in the summer but in the winter, are they?) I probably won't get a car anytime soon.

For the life of me, I still cannot figure out how ladies can wear a skirt and a long coat in the dead of winter and walk around downtown Montreal, meanwhile my leg bones feel the biting cold even though I'm wearing a wool long underwear and a pair of jeans and heavy socks and long insulated boots. These ladies must have legs of steel! I do love looking at them.

I appreciate any helpful hints to help me survive the Quebec's severe winters, which make me feel more connected.

I understand there are very nice ski resorts about 2 to 3 hours drive from downtown Montreal. Yeah!

 

[cloudsurf]

What do you do to protect your face when the wind-chill is extreme?

Walk backwards.


BTW on a more serious note that`s how Bobby Orr got to be such a great defensive player. On his long winter trips to his school......he would skate backwards, to protect his face, on the frozen river leading from his home to school.

 

[ShyMan]

Walk backwards.

Hehe. I'll walk backward with my face turned away from the wind with my hoody up

 

[minutemenX]

Montreal is Sahara in comparison to this:

https://nypost.com/2018/01/16/blistering-cold-temps-in-russia-are-freezing-peoples-eyelashes/

try also good brandy when you come inside from the cold, helps a lot :smile:

 

[ShyMan]

Montreal is Sahara in comparison . . .
try also good brandy when you come inside from the cold . . .

Wow! That place is bone-deep cold!

In the village of Oymyakon, one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth, state-owned Russian television showed the mercury falling to the bottom of a thermometer that was only set up to measure down to minus 50 degrees.


I've got to get some brandy when I'm at a SAQ next time. I have a bottle (half left) of Macallan and a bottle (almost gone) of Grand Marnier -- I mixed a shot of scotch and 1/4 shot of the lovely liqueur and ah . . . the world is alright again

 

[mumbles17]

Easily.... outcall....

 

[Valcazar]

Badly. I cope badly.

 

[jalimon]

Shyman we never cope with our winter... We endure it! Why do you think the city is so amazing and crazy in the spring and summer where we party all the time and the girls wear little sexy dress?? Because we've just spent the last 5 months living in a freezer!

Cheers,

 

[ShyMan]

. . . we never cope with our winter... We endure it! Cheers,

Great points, Jalimon. I saw that happening in Oslo, Norway when I went there several years ago in mid-May.

Okay, I'll rephrase my question. I really need advice on how to endure Montreal's winters.

 

[Sol Tee Nutz]

I put my shorts and sandals away and wear winter clothes.

 

[EagerBeaver]

The starting point is a good winter jacket. Here you go:

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/clothing-mens/best-winter-jacket

You also need a really good hat that covers your ears and a warm pair of waterproof gloves. After those purchases are made, long johns. Last, you need a GREAT waterproof boot. The best waterproof boot maker in the world is LL Bean. In fact the sole reason that company exploded in popularity is because of its technological advancements in the field of waterproof boots for hunters and fishermen, which was perfected by Mr. Bean. Here you go:

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/506...Ru87QTJxNA5-iaKab5BoCL0wQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[2fast2slow]

cross country ski on the mountain. its fun, its close, its winter and you keep in shape for the hobby

 

[Dick Hardwood]

I use a micro fiber jacket to ad a layer under my coat one very cold days. It make a big difference. Even if it is to get out of the car 50-100 feet to get inside a office building or shopping center.

 

[ShyMan]

. . . long johns. Last, you need a GREAT waterproof boot. The best waterproof boot maker in the world is LL Bean. In fact the sole reason that company exploded in popularity is because of its technological advancements in the field of waterproof boots for hunters and fishermen, which was perfected by Mr. Bean.

I certainly need long johns. I need them even at 15 degrees C.

Cool! Thanks, EB. I didn't know LL Bean was built largely on waterproof boots. I had been ignoring LL Bean mostly because I don't see their products in downtown Montreal. I bought a pair of Timberland waterproof rain boots at Hudson's Bay but I've been looking for another pair of waterproof insulated boots for the winters. I'll definitely check out LL Beans for winter boots.

I got a pair of North Face Gore-Tex leather insulated gloves that are rated for "very cold" weather but the tips of my fingers still felt cold when the weather was in the single digit. (I'll just have to get acclimated to Quebec's winters.) I'm hung up on Gore-Tex technology and should feel confident about other competing waterproofing fabrics.

I think I'll take up cross country skiing, 2f2s -- probably safer than down hill skiing for me.

DH, you know I realize that it does make a significant difference if I layer. Having a light micro fiber jacket comes in handy for running to and from coffee shops, the food court and the office.

 

[EagerBeaver]

L.L. Bean developed the duck boot for hunters over 100 years ago, which effectively launched the company, and they are the foremost experts on waterproof boots:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/L.L.Bean

Of course they have since evolved into the name for all outdoor clothing and apparel.

If they don’t have an Outlet in Quebec you can always order online and do an exchange if they don’t fit.

I also buy their dress shoes and boat shoes because they wear well.

 

[ShyMan]

L.L. Bean developed the duck boot for hunters over 100 years ago . . .

If they don’t have an Outlet in Quebec you can always order online and do an exchange if they don’t fit.

I also buy their dress shoes and boat shoes because they wear well.

I'm one of those consumers who need to see, feel, touch and try on clothes and shoes before I decide on what to buy. I'll look for a brick-and-mortar LL Bean store and shop there.

I actually favor Ecco shoes -- I have several pairs of Ecco dress shoes for work.

People think I'm crazy for having a second home in Montreal especially since we have mild "winters" where I normally live -- it's a nice, sunny 21 degree Celsius outside my house now. Despite its intense winters, I actually enjoy being in Montreal in January and February. Maybe my next project should be to set up a home in Hawaii.

 

[jalimon]

For me a scarf is an absolute must. You may have the best coat and all but it's the little scarf that makes the difference. My problem is I am up to 4 or 5 scarf that I forget a girl's incall place and end up giving it to them

Cheers,

 

[EagerBeaver]

I'm one of those consumers who need to see, feel, touch and try on clothes and shoes before I decide on what to buy. I'll look for a brick-and-mortar LL Bean store and shop there.

I am the same way, and I typically like to shop at the brick and mortar outlet stores LL Bean has, but I can tell you unequivocally you are highly unlikely to find in Montreal a waterproof winter boot of the same craftsmanship, quality and durability of the LL Bean boot. It's their bread and butter. You will do a grave disservice to your feet if you do not find the closest LL Bean Outlet (maybe Vermont?)

 

[nounours_]

As an alternative, you might want to try the Saute-Mouton winter boots.

 

[Halloween Mike]

I LOVE winter. I hate heat. I feel its much easier to be at ease during winter. Putting on the heat is easier than having air conditioners. Going outside in Winter if you are dress properly is great, you shouldn't be freezing, while in summer no matter how few cloathes, ill sweat like a pig.

Ill admit Montreal is a bit shit for winter compare to the place i live. Having to litteraly carry a shovel in your car and having to shove snow for 10/15 mins so you can park is an image ill never forget. I don't think Montreal is really adapted for snow to be honest.

But where i live its not a problem. Our cars are always in our backwards and usually a dude is paid to come open it or in the case of where i live now, there is a roof above the place we park so we don't even need it.

Personally i have 2 winter coat, one that is very very big and for very low temperature, i can litteraly go outside with that coat at -25 and feel warm. And i have another one, a much lighter one wich is my regular one. Since i always have a hoodies on, i don't even zip it most of the time ... lol