« 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!