Surviving a Canadian winter.
Written: Dec 21 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Christmas time is a beautiful time. The countryside is so beautiful.
Cons: It is COLD.
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| RayneStorm's Full Review: Canada |
This is not only the first winter that I have spent in Canada, but also the first winter in which I have spent any great length of time in snowy conditions. It is a huge contrast from the more balmy winters I have spent in both Australia (my homeland) and California, USA.
I had thought that in being a tough Aussie (shhh, I am so), I would be able to handle any conditions thrown at me. However, dealing with the cold and the snow has shown me otherwise. Even though the winter is only half over as a write this, I have learnt a lot about surviving in this weather, and wish to share my knowledge with others who may also face the same radical climate changes, or even those that may be considering a vacation to the frozen north.
Canada at Christmas:
Because December is a summer month in Australia, most of my earlier Christmas celebrations have been hot, humid and often wet due to thunderstorms. The sight of fake snow covering a display at a shopping centre in Australia just didn’t feel right. While we have many of our own traditions in Australia at Christmas, I had always hoped for a traditional, white Christmas.
We had our first significant snowfall during the early part of November, and from that time on, it has felt like Christmas here. The stores were decorated around that time, and our town held its annual Christmas parade mid November. There was a great sense of community at that time, with local townships participating in our parade, and our town, in turn, participating in theirs.
As I mentioned earlier, I celebrated Christmas in California, US, on a number of occasions. Christmas seemed to have become so commercialised there, with the television ads reflecting the need for people to buy, buy, buy! Something is different here. Of course businesses try to entice buyers into their stores, but the overall atmosphere is different. There seems to be a stronger sense of the true meaning of Christmas. Stores are decorated because the staff are in the spirit of the holiday season, not simply because that is what is expected during this time of the year.
The landscape itself has taken on an entirely different look. Each new blanket of snow gives the landscape a fresh, clean feel. The older stone buildings that are scattered throughout the town in which I live are complimented by the snow. They take on a whole new look, one which gives these buildings an even more gracious and regal appearance.
Overall conditions:
Currently I live in south-western Ontario, about 1 1/2 hours south-west of Toronto. Here, we are somewhat protected from the more brutal weather conditions experienced by other areas of Ontario and the northern parts of the US by two of the Great Lakes which lay on either side of us. Even so, we have already experienced temperatures of -16 C (3 F), with the promise that the winter will only get colder.
While other areas around us have been hit harder by snowstorms, we too have experienced a somewhat colder and early winter. We have had a number of warmer days which contributed to some snow melt, but as I write this, there is at least a 1/2 foot snow coverage on the ground, and my car is almost invisible under a layer of the cold, white fluff.
Clothing:
I had heard people talk about the need to layer clothing in tough winter conditions, but I did not fully understand why until I experienced truer cold myself. Not only does layering clothing keep the body warmer, it is also essential when going out. Most buildings have some form of heating, and the heat is generally kept at the same level throughout the winter. I find that while out, especially while shopping, I need to take off a few layers of clothing to prevent becoming too hot while in buildings, but need the warmer clothes while moving from the car to the stores or other buildings.
My most valued winter purchase has been my thick, waterproof jacket. The jacket I purchased is a three-in-one combination. It has a warm, fluffy, removable lining, which means it can be worn alone, in combination with the weatherproof shell, or the shell can be worn alone. It has a removable hood, which I find necessary when walking in snowy conditions, and is long so that it covers not only my torso, but the top of my legs also. At $80, it was possible to find a cheaper jacket, but as I said, the coat is actually three jackets in one, and most jackets priced lower are also thinner.
Because the jacket is so warm, I find that I can get away with wearing long sleeved shirts under the coat. This is more comfortable when going into buildings that are heated. I have also found it somewhat difficult to find thick sweaters up here, which came as a shock to me. But I realise that a thick sweater would be too cold for being outdoors in the snow, but too warm when indoors.
Other necessary clothing items: Thick socks, gloves, scarf (which I haven’t purchased yet, but will do so before winter is over).
Footwear:
Boots are the footwear of choice in winter. I happen to like wearing boots, so it has been a good excuse to upgrade my boot collection.
I have found the need for a few pairs, and a few different types of boots. Obviously the main objective is to find boots that are not only warm, but are also weather proof. Many of the newer styles of boots come with a inner sole coated with a layer of foil which acts to reflect heat back into the feet. I have found these types of boots to be the most effective, and do not have to be anymore expensive than regular boots.
It is also important to purchase boots a little larger than regular size. In doing so, the air around the feet becomes warmer, acting almost like the layer of water that becomes trapped inside a wet suit. It also allows room for thicker, warmer socks.
My first pair of boots for these conditions were ankle high, but I have quickly found the need for taller boots and have since purchased a pair of snow boots. These types of boots have a temperature rating on the labels, and of course, the better the temperature rating, the more protective the boots will be.
Skin care:
Had I been aware of how dry the air would be in these winter conditions, I would have purchased stocks in a lip balm company. Not only does the dry air cause dry, cracked lips, but it also leads to drier skin and hair. There is a definite need to purchase lip balm and skin moisturiser. I have also found that I have had to change my shampoo and conditioner. Whereas normally my hair would classify as more oily and I purchase products accordingly, I now find that I have to purchase products for normal - dry hair.
Driving:
So far I have avoided driving in heavy snow because of my lack of experience in these conditions. However, whenever I do go out with my husband, we are sure to leave a little earlier than would be necessary in normal conditions. This allows us time to remove snow from the car so we have good visibility, to warm the car as needed, and to take more care on the slippery roads.
One of the biggest risks on the roads is black ice. Black ice is so called because it is virtually invisible on the roads. It is extremely slippery and while on this ice, the car loses all traction. The most effective way to avoid the dangers of black ice, apart from never leaving the home, is to take more care on the roads, to go a lot slower.
It is advisable to keep a supply of clothes, blankets and food in the car during winter. Motorists do so just in case something happens while on the roads in the country. Because some of the highways have little traffic flow, it is possible that if involved in a motor accident, or if the car breaks down, no other car will pass by for quite some time. If possible, a mobile phone is a great investment also.
I recently went walking in these winter conditions, and what I noticed most was the lack of noise outdoors. Because of the snow layering the roads, and because the snow absorbs much of the noise, cars are almost silent as they pass by. This can cause obvious dangers and it is important to be aware that because you can not hear traffic, doesn’t mean it is not there.
For more tips on driving in the winter, check the “Winter Driving” topic in the automotive section here at Epinions.
Two handy appliances:
Hair dryer
I still remember the first time my hair froze. I had just washed my hair, and without thinking, went outside in the sub-freezing conditions. It may seem obvious to those that have always lived in these cold conditions that hair would freeze, but remember, I am not from these parts originally and it was a huge shock to me. I generally dry my hair before going outdoors now, or give myself enough time for my hair to dry before I have to leave the house.
Humidifier
Because it is so dry during winter, many people purchase humidifiers to put moisture back into the air. The benefits of a humidifier are that there is much less static and your lips and skin do not dry out to the same degree.
Indoor/table top fountains provide a more natural form of humidifying a home. These can be purchased from $40 on. Obviously the larger, more expensive fountains will be more effective in adding moisture to the air.
In case I didn’t make it clear, winter is COLD. It can be great fun, but there is a need to take a lot of care in these conditions. Be safe.
Recommended:
Yes
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RayneStorm
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Location: London, ON
Reviews written: 174
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