« 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 2014

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.

Weather:

• 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.

What you need to know:

Weather Forecast

The wind chill factor :

Wind factor DegreeCalm

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 when they work!

Snowstorms

Snow removal in Montreal

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 length • 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 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 your 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

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

• 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.

What is a frostbite?

• 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)

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 ∗ 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

Pedestrian safety

Best quality/price ratio: • WINNERS Best prices: • WALMART • Target Best quality: • Sport Expert • Atmosphère • Mountain COOP

Where to shop:

Both stores can be found near: Metro station: Namur (orange line)

Montreal Eaton Center: Metro station: Mcgill (green line)

∗ 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. o 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

Physical health

Colds or flu – YOU WILL GET THEM! 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

Colds

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)

EMOTIONAL HEALTH

The best way to enjoy winter is to dress properly, go out and have fun!!! !!!

• 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: activities organized for exchange students

• VIDA: Student association dedicated to extreme

sports and outdoor activities: www.facebook.com/vidahec

How to make the best out 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) or Sutton (Eastern townships)

SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING

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

Buying and renting your equipment

• 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

ICE Skating!

OTHER ACTIVITES - Ski-doo

- Ice fishing

- Dogsledding - Ice hiking

- Winter spa - Sugar shack

- Maple taffy

blend

The crazyness of winter: for braves only

Snow Baths Ice Baths

Winter camping Ice canoeing

Fééries de Noël: in the Old Port - December to January Fête des neiges: at Jean-Drapeau Park (dogsleigh, ice-fishing, ice

sculptures, snow tubing…) • (15 January 2014 - 15 February 2014 (To be confirmed))

Igloofest : electronic music fest at the old port

• (16-17-18, 23-24-25, 30-31-1 January AND 6-7-8 February 2014) Montreal High lights festival: (Montréal en lumières)

• From 20 February to 2 of March 2014 Village des neiges: on Sainte-Hélène island : ice hotel, warm spas,

igloos, restaurant and ice bar. Other festivals: Visit: www.BONJOURQUEBEC.com

Festivals!

When: ∗ From the 31 of January to 16 of February 2014 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

Happy Winter!