| Winter
In Canada |
| Survival |
| by Thelma O’ Connor |
| As I write
today, the temperature is a frigid -31 degrees and snowy, so I feel particularly
well qualified to share my thoughts with you about Canada’s winter experience.
No doubt about
it, winter weather conditions in many parts of Canada can be harsh at times.
High windchills, heavy snowfall, blizzards, freezing rain and extremely
cold temperatures all pose a hazard to those travelling or venturing outside.
Some parts
of Canada don't get much snow and ice in winter but many Canadians battle
tough weather conditions and slippery roads for almost six months each
year. |
|
|
|
|
|
The ‘white
stuff‘ generally starts to arrive in late October and can often stay around
until March or later. Although winter weather can be harsh, we are fortunate
that the truly ‘deep freeze’ cold snaps tend not to last more than a few
weeks at a time and in many parts of Canada the sun shines all winter long,
which is a great lift for the spirit.
| Search
4Escape - The International Lifestyles Search Engine |
| -
4Escape is a search engine that searches our network of websites each of
which shares a common theme: International relocation, living & investing
overseas, overseas jobs, embassies, maps, international real estate, asset
protection, articles about how to live invest overseas, Caribbean
properties and lifestyles, overseas retirement, offshore investments, our
yacht broker portal, our house swap portal, articles on overseas employment,
international vacation rentals, international vacation packages,
travel resources, every embassy in the world, maps of the world, our three
very popular eZines . . . and, as they are fond to say, a great deal more. |
|
|
If you’ve never
experienced harsh winter weather before and your definition of cold is
when you open the freezer door, then you may be tempted to spend your first
winter in Canada taking refuge indoors. Resist the urge to hide from winter. |
|
|
| Develop your
winter survival skills, with help from the tips listed, and you too will
learn, in true Canadian spirit, to embrace and celebrate winter in all
its glory.
To Combat
The Cold
* Check the
weather forecast (and road reports) before going outdoors or travelling.
Pay particular attention to windchill, which can create dangerously cold
conditions. Bring along extra clothing in case there is a sudden weather
change.
* Dress warmly
in layers, preferably with a wind and waterproof outer layer. Look for
outerwear (hats, boots and gloves) containing Thinsulate Insulation. Thin
layers of loose fitting clothing (fleece) will trap your body heat while
aiding air circulation. |
|
|
Offshore
Resources Gallery
|
|
|
| Outer clothing
should preferably be hooded, tightly woven, and repel water. Mittens are
warmer than gloves.
* Wear a hat,
as most of your body heat is lost through your head. If it is extremely
cold, cover your mouth to protect your lungs from the cold air.
* Purchase
good quality knee length winter boots for all family members. Some of the
more expensive winter boots will withstand temperatures of -70, so your
feet will be snug all winter if you make this purchase a top priority.
* When choosing
footwear for daily use, ask for ‘winterized’ boots and shoes. These will
have a thermal insole and will keep your feet much warmer than regular
shoes.
Driving
In Winter
Most newcomers
to Canada are likely to be unfamiliar, and perhaps even a little terrified,
at the prospect of driving in snowy and icy conditions. |
|
|
| Although it
may seem like an unwelcome extra expense during your first winter in Canada,
purchasing a set of winter tires may well be a very sound investment.
If you feel
confused about choosing suitable winter tires, you should be aware that
in 1999 Transport Canada announced a new industry standard to help Canadian
consumers identify and buy snow tires that provide a higher level of traction
for Canada's harsh winter conditions.
Look for Snow/Ice
tires marked with a pictograph of a mountain and snowflake on the side
of the tire.
This design
indicates that tires have met specific snow traction performance requirements,
and have been designed specifically for use in severe snow conditions. |
|
|
Offshore
Resources Gallery
|
| Escape
From America Magazine - The Magazine To Read To If You Want To Move Overseas |
| - Began Summer
1998 - Now with almost a half million subscribers, out eZine is the resource
that expats, and wantabe expats turn to for information. Our archives
now have thousands of articles and each month we publish another issue
to a growing audience of international readers. Over 100 people a
day subscribe to our eZine. We've been interviewed and referenced
by the Wall Street Journal, CNN, The Washington Post, London Talk Show
Radio, C-Span, BBC Click Online, Yahoo Magazine, the New York Times, and
countless other media sources. Featuring International Lifestyles
~ Overseas Jobs ~ Expat Resources ~ Offshore Investments ~ Overseas
Retirement - Second Passports ~ Disappearing Acts ~ Offshore eCommerce
~ Unique Travel ~ Iconoclastic Views ~ Personal Accounts ~ Views From Afar
~ Two things have ushered us into a world without borders... the end of
the cold war and the advent of the world wide web of global communications
? commerce. Ten years and over one hundred issues! We're just
getting started - Gilly Rich - Editor |
|
|
| In some provinces
there may be no provincial regulations requiring the use of either snow
tires or chains. The purchase of winter tires is at the discretion of the
vehicle owner. While it is legal in some provinces to use chains and studded
tires, these are usually only needed for extreme driving conditions on
highways or in the mountains (where they may be mandatory in some provinces
during the winter season).
Winter Pleasures
Despite the
winter weather, each year, dozens of cities throughout Canada hold festivals
to celebrate the winter months. Join in the fun! Here are just a few of
Canada's best-known winter festivals for you to enjoy:
-
Carnaval du Québec,
Quebec City
-
Winterlude, Ottawa
-
Calgary Winterfest
-
Festival du Voyageur,
St. Boniface, Manitoba
If you have the
time and ability, you may prefer to take part in more strenuous, but low
cost, winter activities such as tobogganing, skating, snowshoeing or cross
country skiing.
Tobogganing
is a good old-fashioned activity that is great fun and good exercise -
plus the hike up the hill preceding the slide down is great winter fitness
for all the family. A large plastic garbage bag can do the trick if you
don't have a toboggan/sled. Local parks often provide an instant gentle
ski slope for the children! Most stores sell basic toboggans and sleds
for under $20. Remind kids to wear head protection and look ahead to ensure
there is plenty of room before they proceed down the hill.
Skating
is also a great family pastime and can be done both indoors and outdoors
depending on the winter weather in your area. The great thing about
this popular winter pastime is that outdoor skating is free! Many neighbourhoods
maintain outdoor rinks and rent equipment at reasonably prices or you can
also skate on the park lakes and lagoons. Be sure to wear head protection
as well as properly fitted skates.
Snowshoeing
is becoming one of the hottest ways to stay fit in the cold. Walkers, runners,
and hikers are turning to snowshoeing as their winter sport of choice.
It's a fun and inexpensive way for you and your family to get outside,
and if you can put one foot in front of the other, you can showshoe! After
two minutes of practice, you'll be cruising around like you were born with
snowshoes on your feet. Even better, snowshoeing burns up to a whopping
1,000 calories an hour!
Cross-country
skiing together as a family is a great winter workout and the cost is quite
inexpensive compared to downhill (alpine) skiing. It offers more time to
spend with your skiing companions, breathe in the clean air, and view the
majestic scenery. With more than 500 ski areas across Canada you can cross-country
ski practically anywhere.
Stay warm,
have fun, play safe and enjoy the delights that Canada’s winter has to
offer you and your family.
The following
are Thelma's previous articles for the magazine:
|
|
 |
|
Article
Index ~ Canada
Index ~ |
Copyright 1996 -
EscapeArtist.com
Inc. All Rights Reserved