Mon pays ce n`est pas un pays, c`est l`hiver»

« Mon pays ce n’est pas un pays, c’est
l’hiver »
-Gilles Vigneault
‘’My country is not a country, it is winter’’
Gilles Vigneault
HOW TO ENJOY WINTER IN
MONTRÉAL
Winter 2015
Weather:
How long does winter last?
• Winter in Canada can last for almost six
months!
• Snow usually arrives in late October
and sticks around until March.
What you need to know:
• Forecast - Before you leave the house, you should always
check the weather forecast to dress accordingly.
www.theweathernetwork.com
• Feels like – Number that takes into account the effects of
the wind to provide a reading of the apparent
temperature, as opposed to the actual temperature as
registered on a thermometer. It is recommended to wear
wind-proof clothing on cold windy days.
Weather Forecast
The wind chill factor :
Wind factor
Degree
Calm
5-10
Km/h
10-15
Km/h
15-20
Km/h
20-25
Km/h
25-30
Km/h
30-35
Km/h
35-40
Km/h
40-45
Km/h
45-50
Km/h
0
-1
-2
-4
-7
-9
-11
-12
-13
-15
-5
-5
-8
-12
-15
-17
-18
-20
-21
-22
-10
-10
-15
-18
-20
-24
-25
-26
-29
-30
-15
-15
-20
-24
-26
-30
-32
-34
-35
-37
Snowstorms
• 5 to 6 snowstorms during the winter
• Sirens and trucks during the night?
• These are « snow blowers », and
«snowplows » clearing the snow as well
as trucks with gravel, salt and sand to
clear up the streets.
• Get out of the way when they work!
Snow removal in Montreal
Come to Canada they said …
Clothing
Which fabric to choose?
• Microfiber material that keeps you dry and warm.
 Clothes that are entirely made of synthetic fibers
(nylon, acrylic, and polyester) will keep you dry
since they do not absorb the body’s humidity.
Getting dressed from head to toe:
Feet
• Keep them dry and warm with smart wool socks and thermal
insoles
• Waterproof boots, preferably knee length
• Avoid leather soles since they are slippery on ice
• Think about traction: removable ice grips
Hands
• Mittens are better than gloves
• Best option? Thick wool mittens or leather fur-lined gloves!
• If your hands get cold, make a fist and put your thumb
between your other fingers!
Getting dressed from head to toe
Head
• Protect your ears and your forehead; wear a hat.
• Most of your body heat (80%) is lost through the head.
Neck
• Scarf and/or turtleneck sweater
• Protect your neck, your ears and your forehead !
• Roll up a long scarf and cover everything but your eyes !
Getting dressed from head to toe
How many layers ?
1. Undershirt – keep it tucked in
2. Warmth layer – Thin layers of loose fitting clothing will trap body heat.
3. Outer clothing – wind and waterproof outerlayer
Jacket/Coats – features to look for:
• Long, nearly knee length
• High collar or hood
• Cuffs that close around hand
• Pockets to slip hands into
• Waist cinch
• Coat should be large enough to
acoomodate a sweather
What is a frostbite?
• Frostbite : is the partial-freezing of exposed parts of the
body If your skin is exposed to extremely low
temperatures.
• The first signs of frostbite:
 Tingling and numbness in your fingers and toes;
 Burning sensation in your nose and ears.
• Why does this happen?
 With cold weather, blood flow slows down, so you
loose sensitivity because your blood is not flowing as
usual. When you come back inside, blood starts
flowing again and causes the redness.
• Expose as little skin as possible in very cold weather.
Frostbite can happen in a very short time.
TIPS
• Buildings, subway and buses are very well
heated: unbutton your jacket, take off your
hat, gloves and scarf to prevent sweating
• Having a locker will become handy during
the winter season
• Have a second pair of shoes in your locker or
with you (temperature changes from
outside to inside areas)
• Paper tissue is always handy (coat pockets)
Pedestrian safety
 Sidewalks disappear in the winter and pedestrians are forced to
walk on the streets.
 Walk carefully!
 Always walk facing oncoming traffic and be prepared to climb up
onto the snow bank if necessary
 If walking/running in the evening or at night, wear reflectors or
lights so that you are visible to drivers
 Never assume that a driver will see you – You must be a
defensive walker!
 Roads can be covered in snow and ice; drivers will not be able to
stop as quickly than in summer
Where to shop:
Both stores can be found near:
Metro station: Namur (orange line)
Best quality/price ratio:
• WINNERS
Best prices:
• WALMART
• Target
Best quality:
• Sport Expert
• Atmosphère
• Mountain COOP
Montreal Eaton Center:
Metro station: Mcgill (green line)
Physical health





Sunshine - Will help your mood (don’t forget your sunglasses!)
Oxygen – Start moving and go outside
Exercise – Preferably outdoors
Skin – Protect your skin by wearing sunblock and sunglasses
Healthy diet – Follow Canada’s Food Guide.
– Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food- guide-aliment/index-eng.php
 Vitamins – Get them from natural sources, but supplements do exist.
 When the air is dry, your skin will be dry, flaky and itchy; use a
moisturizer
Colds
Colds or flu –More than 200 different viruses are known to cause the symptoms of
the common cold. Generally colds take one week to work through the system.
There is no cure, but you can get relief from your cold symptoms by:
 Resting in bed
 Drinking plenty of fluids
 Gargling with warm salt water or using throat lozenges for a scratchy sore
throat
 Eating fruit
Taking over the counter medicines (you do not need to consult your doctor
but ask the pharmacist for advice)
TIPS:
 Wash your hands often
 Always carry a lip balm and tissues
EMOTIONAL HEALTH
EMOTIONAL HEALTH
 Go outside, do sports and play!
 Days will get longer.
 Find the sun – look for a sunny window and sit in it for as long
as possible each day.
 Manage your workload to reduce stress
 Find a creative outlet:
- Keep a Journal ( describe your experiences)
- Keep in touch with your friends and family
- Learn a new skill (cooking, painting, sports, yoga, learn
French, visit museums)
The best way to enjoy winter is to
dress properly, go out and have fun!!! !!!
How to make the best of winter?
• Lots of winter sports: skating, alpine skiing,
snowboarding, cross-country skiing, sliding, snowshoeing
(raquettes), hockey…
• Where in Montréal? : Mont Royal, Old-Port, Parc
Maisonneuve or Parc Jean Drapeau.
• HEChange student committee: activities organized for
exchange students throughout the semester.
• VIDA student committee: dedicated to extreme sports
and outdoor activities: www.facebook.com/vidahec
SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING
• Closest ski resorts : Mont St-Bruno, Mont St-Sauveur,
Mont Avila, Mont Olympia
• The best ski resorts: Mont Tremblant (1h30 from Montréal)
Mont Sainte-Anne (Québec city region)
Jay Peak (USA), Orford (Magog) or
Sutton (Eastern townships)
Buying and renting your equipment
Buy/Rent: Poubelle du ski
8278 Boulevard St-Laurent
(514) 384-1315
Buy : Play It Again Sports
2100 Boulevard Décarie
(514) 484-5150
Rent: La Cordée
2159 Ste-Catherine E.
(514) 524-1106
ICE Skating!
•
Montréal:
•169 skating rinks:
Ice ring in the Old Port:
- Skate rental, courses for beginners
- DJ on week ends
- Fireworks (Saturdays at 8pm)
Lac des castors (Mont Royal)
•
Ottawa:
- Canal Rideau: try the longest skating ring in the world 7.8 km
OTHER ACTIVITES
- Ski-doo
- Winter spa
- Ice fishing
- Sugar shack
- Dogsledding
- Ice hiking
- Maple taffy
blend
The crazyness of winter!
Snow Baths
Ice canoeing
Ice Baths
Winter camping
Festivals!
 Fééries de Noël: in the Old Port - December to January
 Fête des neiges: at Jean-Drapeau Park (dogsleigh, ice-fishing, ice
sculptures, snow tubing…)
 Igloofest : electronic music festival at the Old Port
 Montreal High lights festival: (Montréal en lumières)
 Village des neiges: on Sainte-Hélène island : ice hotel, warm
spas, igloos, restaurant and ice bar.
 Other festivals: Visit: www.BONJOURQUEBEC.com
Québec Winter Carnaval
When:
 From the 31 of January to
15 of February 2015
What:
 Ice and snow sculptures
 Night parades
 Skating
 Sugar shack
 Ice slide
 Winter camping
 … etc.
For more info:
 www.carnaval.qc.ca
Happy
Winter!