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« Mon pays ce n’est pas un
pays, c’est l’hiver » -Gilles Vigneault
‘my country is not a country, it is winter’
HOW TO ENJOY WINTER IN MONTRÉAL
Winter 2017
How long does winter last?
• Winter in Canada can last for almost 6 months!
• Snow usually arrives in November and sticks around until March.
Weather
• Forecast - Before you leave the house, you should always check the weather forecast to dress accordingly. www.theweathernetwork.com
• Feels like – The 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.
What you need to know
Weather Forecast
Always look at the
fells liketempature when you
choose your outfit of the day.
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
• 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 while they are working!
Snowstorms
Snow removal in Montreal
Come to Canada they said …
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.
Clothing
Feet
• Keep them dry and warm with smart wool socks and thermal insoles
• Waterproof boots, preferably knee-high
• Avoid leather soles since they are slippery on ice
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 thumbbetween 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 youreyes !
Getting dressed from head to toe
Getting dressed from head to toe
Adopt Lenny
Kravitz’s scarf style!!
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 outer layer
Jacket/Coats – features to look for: • Long, nearly knee-length• High collar or hoodie• Cuffs that close around hand • Pockets to slip hands into • Coat should be large enough to
accomodate a sweater
Getting dressed from head to toe
You can also coveryour beard !!
• 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 the same as usual. When you come back to a warm place, 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.
What is frostbite
• Buildings, subway and buses are heated very well: unbutton your jacket, take off your hat, gloves and scarf to prevent sweating
• Having a locker will come in 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)
Tips
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
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 as in summer
Pedestrian safety
Best quality/price ratio:
• Winners
Best prices:
• Walmart
Best quality:
• Sport Expert
• Atmosphère
• Mountain COOP
• La Cordée
Where to shop
Where to shop:
• Montreal Eaton Center
• Saint-Catherine Street
• Metro stations: McGill or Peel
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 – Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables
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
Physical health
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 are no magic tricks, 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
Colds
DO NOT GO TO HOSPITAL!
Go outside, do sports and play!
The day will become 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:
- Learn a new skill (cooking, painting, sports, yoga, learn French, visit museums)
Emotional Health
The best way to enjoy winter is todress properly, go out and have fun!!!
Massif de Charlevoix
• Lots of winter sports: skating, alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, sledding, snowshoeing (raquettes), hockey, etc!
• Where in Montréal? Mount Royal, Old-Port, ParcMaisonneuve 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
How to make the best of winter
• 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)
• Sutton (Eastern townships)
Skiing and Snowboarding
Buy/Rent: Poubelle du ski8278 Boulevard St-Laurent
(514) 384-1315
Buy: Play It Again Sports 2100 Boulevard Décarie
(514) 484-5150
Rent: La Cordée2159 Ste-Catherine E.
(514) 524-1106
Buying and renting your equipment
• Montréal:
•169 skating rinks:
Ice rink in the Old Port:
Skate rental, courses for beginners
DJ on weekends
Fireworks
Lac des castors (Mont Royal)
Atrium 1000 (indoor)
• Ottawa:
- Canal Rideau: try the longest skating rink in the world 7.8 km
Ice Skating
Other Activities
• Ski-doo
• Ice fishing
• Dogsledding
• Ice Climbing
Other Activities
• Winter spa –Thermal Baths
• Sugar shack
• Maple taffy on snow
The craziness of winter!
Snow Baths Ice Baths
Winter campingIce canoeing
Igloofest : Electronic music festival at the Old Port
4 Week-ends: January 12th to February 18th
Festivals
Montréal en lumières
Downtown Montreal (animations, music, lightshows, foods)
February 23rd to March 11th 2017
Nuit Blanche de Montréal
All over the city, all night long (animations, activities, nightlife, foods)
March, 4th 2017
Fête des neiges
Jean-Drapeau Park (dogsleds, ice-fishing, icesculptures, snow tubing…)
January 14th to Febuary 5th 2017
Other festivals
And many other festivals!Visit: www.QUEBECORIGINAL.com
When: From the 27th of January to the
12th of February 2017
What: Ice and snow sculptures Night parades Skating Sugar shack Ice slide Winter camping … etc.
For more info: www.carnaval.qc.ca
Québec Winter Carnaval
A Very Dynamic City!
TRAVEL
Montreal to… (approx.)
Burlington – 2 hours
Ottawa - 2 hours
Québec City - 3 hours
Boston - 5 hours
Toronto - 6 hours
New York City - 6 hours
TRAVEL OUTSIDE CANADA
Always bring your HEC Montreal Letter of admission or Proof of enrollment
Travel in the USA
Contact the Consulate General of the United States in Montreal
Check requirements for visa
Plan ahead and apply as early as possible
5 EXTRA USEFUL TIPS
Mobile Plan
More expensive than anywhere else in the world
• Buy calling cards to call abroad or use Skype
• Phone call from Gmail - free from & towards Canada
https://www.google.com/intl/fr-CA/mail/help/about.html
Avoid any contractBuy a monthly plan that fits your needs – ask questions
Recommended providers
• Koodo: www.koodomobile.com (international SMS plan)
• Fido: www.fido.ca (international SMS plan)
• Virgin: www.virginmobile.ca
Many providers at the downtown Eaton Centre
Food
Dépanneur - equivalent of “7 Eleven”
• Convenient store generally open until midnight
Supermarkets
• Cheaper to buy food in a supermarket than at a
“Dépanneur”
• The main supermarkets are
- Maxi – Loblaws - Super C – Provigo - Metro - IGA
• Home delivery is possible!
Ethnic grocery stores in many neighborhoods
• Chinatown, Little Italy, etc.
CIGARETTES & ALCOHOL
Quebec strict laws
80$ fine for smoking
• Within 9 meters of any public
buildings
• In restaurants, bars and night-clubs
• Outside shelters are available
140$ fine for drinking alcohol in public
areas
Can’t buy alcohol in supermarket or
dépanneur after 11:00 p.m.
Liquor & Wine are sold mostly in SAQ’s
Taxes
All prices are without taxes
Generally add 15 %
Tips
Not included on the bill in
restaurants, bars, night-club, taxis
15% of the total bill is the norm
TAXES & TIPS
WORK
On campus
Extremely limited jobs available
Must have Certificate of Acceptation of Quebec
(CAQ), study permit and Social Insurance
Number (S.I.N.)
Must be fluent in French (advanced level)
Off campus and internships following your exchange
Working permit required
No assistance provided
The Government of Canada has agreements
signed with countries under IEC (International
Experience Canada)
Note
Working without authorization is illegal.
Students will be expelled from Canada
Happy Winter!