Re: winter clothing?
 

I totally agree with you Steve_...everyone thought we were mad arriving in the middle of the winter, especially as we had not even set foot in Alberta before. But I can honestly say that having survived the first 5 (?) months of winter, at least we know what to expect now this year.

The added bonus of arriving mid winter was the excitment of the changing landscape as the snow melted to reveal brown grass and now the fabulous summer scenery!

Re: winter clothing?
 

There are pros and cons, no 'better time'. I couldn't have started my business in the winter so it made sense to arrive in August. During the summertime it's easier to meet neighbours before they hibernate during the dark evenings. You could argue the new financial year is a good time to arrive due to budgets being released for hiring, or summer's a great time for kids to learn and appreciate their new surroundings before the stress of starting a new school.

Re: winter clothing?
 

Even funnier is watching it go into reverse..everything starts to go brown then goes white again:frown:

Re: winter clothing?
 

Oh dear, suppose it won't be long now...kids desperate to see a bear before they all retire to bed again!

Re: winter clothing?
 

Yeah whatever that goop is that they sell at Canadian Tire, it actually recommends on the bottle to use 100% solution below -30 or so, I haven't done that to be honest.

Like I said I think winter tires are nice to have but if you're driving on frequently cleared city streets you don't gain much, if anything.

Re: winter clothing?
 

Tax year starts on January 1st so if you arrive then you don't have to pro-rate anything on your tax return, that's another reason to do it. I didn't really have a choice about it to be honest, that was the closing date on my house but I think it was a good idea.

Re: winter clothing?
 

Wow, I cant believe how many people have replied with helpful info, will be putting it all to good use, thankyou very much, i am definitely a little less panicy about winter. :D also aswell as all the great info some of you are just hilarious:lol: I enjoyed reading the posts so thanks again.

Re: winter clothing?
 

I think the coldest I ever was, was December 2008 - my second winter.

The first was really just me settling into Canadian life and doing the Brit thing and going out for like 5 mins - or staying in if it was that bad. However this second one I had started dating a Canadian (now my hubby).

He had asked me to go with him to the Calgary Zoo to see the lights and it was cold. My friends at work said "do you have a toque?" Nope says me - not a trendy one to impress the new beau with anyway - so I got a nice trendy warm one - warm mits - my lovely down jaket, and obviously we'll wear jeans to complete the whole ensemble.

What a f****g stupid idea that was - never in my life have I experienced the feeling of "where the f**k are my legs" I was so cold from the waist down that when we had finished the tour of the lights I went to the bathroom before leavng for home and I actually couldn't get my jeans off because my legs were so cold - it was horrible. Course i'm trying to impress by saying "no i'm fine" but inside I was just screaming "get me in the truck".

That was m first and last time of putting style over warmth and comfort - never again. :lol:

Re: winter clothing?
 

Only about 3 car lengths when you have to slam on the anchors:sneaky: Mine have paid for themselves more than once.

Re: winter clothing?
 

I`m thinking maybe it's very different, here to there? The worst car I had in the winter was a Navigator with Winters, it slipped a lot, but then that was a very different winter where we got freezing rain and shiny with ice roads, we don't usually get that.

Re: winter clothing?
 

maybe the 5000LB weight of a navigator was a factor? Thats a lot of momentum to have to try and control.

There are different winters for snow and for ice I believe, but even on dry tarmac the softer rubber will lead to shorter stopping distances. Its all about the rubber in the deep winter cold.

Re: winter clothing?
 

All I know is the Navigator although a nice car, has been my least favourite we have had and the winter drive was yuk.

Re: winter clothing?
 

The coldest I can recall was February 2008 iirc, got down to -48 with wind chill. Even with layers and all my super heavy-duty ski gear on I nearly froze, I could feel the inside of my lungs. First and last time I made the mistake of taking off my gloves off and then taking my jacket off - it was physically painful because the outside of my jacket was so cold. This is why I say wear inners, because you can take the gloves off, then your jacket off, then the thermal inners.

Also among my many cherished memories lol was the first time I bought a hot drink, put it in the centre console, picked it up to have a sip and it had turned into a slushy.

I always laugh at this "ban ski masks and hoodies" nonsense in other countries, can you imagine trying that here?

Re: winter clothing?
 

Like I said I don't think they're useless but they're not strictly necessary on cleared streets I've found. Been through several winters now and managed with all-season tires. You live in Ontario, probably more of an issue because you get more snow in Ontario. I've driven to Great Falls and back the last week of December and I was okay. The wind was more of an issue.

And now having said all this I'm going to die rear-ending an 18-wheeler next winter...

Re: winter clothing?
 

As I keep saying, its not necessarily about the snow, its about the cold, all season rubber goes rock hard and doesnt grip well below about -10C. You can get away without, and defensive driving helps no end, but there are times when the softer rubber has paid for itself for me with avoiding near misses. I used to be blasé about winter rubber, until my (canadian) wife made me get them for her car, then I really noticed the difference for myself.