Canada’s nickname is “the great white north”, and it’s winters are notoriously cold and snowy. Between November and April, many regions experience temperatures well below freezing (think -40 degrees Celsius) and snow blizzards.
For those coming from tropical or temperate climates, even fall temperatures can seem very cold. But don’t let all of this scare you! Getting through your first winter in Canada can be an enjoyable experience if you’re well prepared.
TLDR
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Don’t leave home without checking the weather forecast and temperature for the whole day.
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Wear essential accessories such as gloves or mittens, scarves, hats, and warm wool-blend socks to prevent frostbite and maintain body heat during extreme cold.
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Invest in a durable winter coat with features like a hoods and adjustable cuffs, and wear waterproof, slip-resistant boots to safely navigate snowy and icy conditions.
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Wear multiple layers starting with moisture-wicking base layers, insulating middle layers like fleece or wool, and a protective outer layer to stay warm and adaptable to changing temperatures.
One of the first things newcomers should do shortly after landing in Canada, particularly if you arrive in the winter, should be to download a weather app to your phone. Always check what the temperature and weather is expected to be for the whole day. Weather can change fast and you will need to be prepared to brave the elements for the whole time you’ll be outside your home. Even bright and sunny days in the middle of winter can be extremely cold. And when the weather warms, dry snow can become slushy and wet, and later freeze to make sidewalks and streets icy and slippery.
Wind chills are often responsible for the temperatures feeling lower than what you see on the weather app. For instance, the weather app may show you that it’s going to be -20 degrees Celsius, but it will also indicate that it “feels like” -30 degrees Celsius.
Getting familiar with fall and winter wear basics
Before you venture out into the world of heavy coats, down jackets, and snow boots, let’s get to know some fall/winter basics. The key to staying warm and safe is all about choosing clothes that suit your level of activity during the day.
Key to staying warm: Dress in layers
First layer or base layer: You should purchase some thermal innerwear (both top and bottoms) to use as your first layer. Base layers trap body heat and help you stay warm. Choose materials such as silk, lycra, merino, nylon, or polyester as they repel moisture and help preserve the warmth. Cotton isn’t recommended as it tends to absorb sweat, which will make you feel cold. It’s not advisable to use jeans as the first layer in cold weather (but you can wear them over your base layer).
Second or middle layer: The next layer of clothing can be your regular clothes or woollen wear or a combination of both, depending on the outside temperature. In extremely cold weather, you should treat this as your insulating layer. Flannel, fleece, or wool are good insulators as they trap heat. Add as many second layers as you’d like, t-shirts, shirts, blouses, sweaters, hoodies, vests, or puff jackets – so that you stay warm and comfortable.
Tip: Wearing multiple thin layers allows you to better adjust to the environment you’re in. For example, when you’re indoors, if you feel hot, you can easily remove a layer or two and put them on before stepping out.
Third layer or outer layer: This is dependent on the outside temperature and helps protect you from snow, wind, and rain. During fall, you may just need a light coat or jacket, while during winter, you will need to wear a heavy down jacket or winter coat.
Accessories for hands, neck, head, and feet
When you step out in the cold, bundling-up and covering your whole body is essential to avoid getting hypothermia and frostbite.
Here are some common must-have fall/winter clothing accessories:
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For hands: Gloves or mittens (mittens retain body heat better than gloves in very cold weather, particularly if they are fleece or fur lined.
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For neck: Scarf or neck warmers;
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For feet: Socks that are made from wool or wool blend;
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For head and ears: Hat, toque, beanie, and/or ear muffs;
Tip:
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Choose gloves, toques, and beanies with lining, so it protects you from cold. Knitted accessories look stylish but aren’t very effective in the cold. You can also buy touchscreen gloves, which allows you to use your phone without taking them off.
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You can buy hand warmers or toe warmers; they are slightly expensive but very effective in keeping you warm.
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Don’t wear anything metal such as rings, bangles, watches etc. on exposed skin as it’s likely to cause frostbite due to the metal being a cold conductor.
Coats and jackets
Coats and jackets are items you will wear almost every day during fall and winter. So be sure to pick comfortable ones and look for certain features like cuffs that can be tightened and a hood that fits over your hat. Having a hood is essential to protect yourself from wind chills and a fur (real or artificial) trim protects your face from the wind. These days many winter jackets come labelled with temperature ratings, but it’s better not to rely solely on those ratings as they can be subjective. Don’t hesitate to ask the sales associate for guidance. Good quality jackets (such as ones with down filling) tend to be expensive, but it’s worthwhile to treat it as an investment as you will be using the jackets for many years.
Footwear
During the fall season, however, regular ankle-length boots paired with socks may suffice to keep you warm. During winter, sidewalks and roads can get icy and are regularly sprinkled with salt. That’s why it’s essential to have a pair of good winter boots that are warm, slip-resistant, and waterproof. Remember, damp socks can give you frostbite, so it may be a good idea to carry an extra pair with you. Some winter boots have removable liners, which you can take out to dry if they get wet.
Many Canadians wear their winter boots to get to work, where they change into professional shoes for the day. During the snowing and icy months, your footwear will be exposed to the snow and salt, which causes damage to leather shoes.
Unless you have heated floors in your home, the flooring can get very cold during winter. Since Canadians leave their shoes at the door, having a pair of indoor slippers or using thick socks will help you stay warm.
Walking on snow and ice can be tricky and dangerous. Beware of black ice or clear ice – the cause of many road accidents and personal injuries in Canada. Black ice is a thin layer of glaze ice on roads and sidewalks. Metal/rubber grippers (known as crampons) that can easily be attached to the soles and sides of your shoes or boots work well to avoid slipping on such icy roads. They’re light and small enough to store in a Ziploc bag after use.
Outdoor winter gear for babies and kids
A snowsuit or bunting is a great outfit to protect your baby against the cold and snow. Snowsuits have form-fitting legs and arms, and most are equipped with hoods. Buntings are more like little sleeping bags, with a seam between the legs to make stroller snap-ins easier.
To keep your baby close to your body and avoid bundling them in a snowsuit, you can use a baby carrier. Your baby is placed in the carrier, beneath your own jacket, which you then zip up using a jacket extender on your winter coat to make room for the baby in the carrier.
If you plan to take your baby out regularly during winter, it might be worth investing in a fuzzy seat liner for the stroller or get a stroller muff that will provide extra bottom warmth. When buying a stroller, look for ones with bigger wheels that offer great all-terrain capability (for the snow) and check out the specially made covers to protect your baby from rain, snow, and wind.
Toddlers and school aged children need a snow suit or a winter jacket paired with snowpants as outdoor play is part of Canadian education. The gear needs to be waterproof, and you can clip mittens to the sleeves of their coats using mitten clips to prevent loss. Neck warmers are more convenient than scarves for children. Make sure to label all of your children’s gear and accessories because these can easily get mixed up with other children’s items when they come in from playing outside.
Where and when to buy fall and winter clothing?
Many newcomers planning to arrive in Canada during fall or winter are tempted to shop for winter wear in their home countries. While it’s advisable to purchase some essentials to get through the initial days, you will find more variety and have access to clothing and accessories that are specifically built to withstand Canadian weather if you buy your winter gear in Canada. This is especially true if you’re moving from temperate or tropical countries.
Retailers in Canada start selling winter gear in September, and many popular retailers and brands have sales at the start and end of seasons. Costco will have childrens’ outerwear in the early fall only. The Canadian Thanksgiving weekend in October, as well as the Black Friday weekend in November, are also popular times to find great deals. You can sign up for newsletters and mailers from your preferred brands or retailers and stay up-to-date on all upcoming sales.
Canadian winters may seem scary, but with the right knowledge, preparation, and most importantly, the right clothing, you will be able to enjoy the fall and winter seasons like a Canadian!
