Winter in Toronto: how to dress and enjoy the season

How cold it really gets

The numbers below are the official 1981 to 2010 averages from the Government of Canada weather service (Environment and Climate Change Canada), at the TORONTO station, downtown:

An average is an average: some weeks are milder, close to zero, and some days are much colder. In January, on average, 9 days have a low below -10 °C. What matters most is the wind. Canadian weather forecasts show the wind chill, and that is what you should check before going out.

Snow usually falls from December to March, sometimes in November or April. January and February are the snowiest months.

Dressing in layers

The Canadian way to deal with the cold is not one giant coat, but three layers you take off and put on depending on where you are:

1. Base layer (thermal): a thermal top and leggings, close to the body. They keep the heat in and move sweat away from your skin.
2. Middle layer: a fleece or a wool sweater that insulates you from the cold.
3. Outer layer: a winter coat (parka) that blocks the wind and handles snow, ideally covering your hips and with a hood.

Head, hands and feet

This is where you feel the cold the most, and where investing makes the biggest difference:

• A hat that covers your ears.
• A scarf or neck warmer to protect your neck and face on windy days.
• Warm gloves. On the coldest days, mittens are warmer.
• Waterproof boots with a non-slip sole. Snow melts into slush with salt on the sidewalks, and the ground gets slippery. Regular sneakers get soaked in the first week.
• Wool or thermal socks, which stay warm even when your feet sweat.

Bring from home or buy there?

A simple rule that works for most students:

In Toronto, coats and boots are made for this climate and the choice is huge. It is worth waiting for sales: on December 26, Boxing Day, a public holiday in Ontario, many stores offer big discounts.

Everyday life in winter

• Short days: in December, the sun sets around 4:45 p.m. Plan your outings to make the most of daylight.
• Dry skin and lips: the cold air and the heating dry you out. Moisturizer and lip balm become everyday items.
• Forecasts and alerts: the Government of Canada’s WeatherCAN app shows the forecast, the wind chill and snowstorm alerts.
• PATH: downtown, a network of more than 30 km of mostly underground walkways connects buildings, shops and subway stations. You can walk a lot without going out in the cold.

How to enjoy winter

For many students, winter ends up being the most memorable part of their time abroad. Some ideas:

• Ice skating: the City has more than 50 outdoor rinks with free leisure skating, such as the one at Nathan Phillips Square, in front of City Hall, and at some of them it lends skates and helmets for free. See them all on the ice skating map.
• Winterlicious: in winter, more than 200 restaurants take part in this City festival, with special three-course prix fixe menus.
• Libraries: warm, with Wi-Fi and a free place to study. Find the closest one on the libraries map.
• Events and festivals: see what is on in the Toronto events calendar, updated every week.