Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

For a 2 week visit in Jan/Feb what clothes shall we bring ?? And before you all SHOUT warm ones, i know that, but do we need to buy nice thermal undies :p or will lots of loose layers do?

Thanks

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Where are you going?

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Okay, Dawn, I know you'll be visiting Calgary.

Read the Wiki article on Clothing in the Banff National Park section of the TripAdvisor website. Scroll down the page till you get to the Winter list for Non-skiers.

I did give you a link to TripAdvisor's Inside Banff National Park section in another thread yesterday, but I do recognize that there are links to many different articles there, and your eye may not necessarily have spotted the one on clothing.

While we're at it, I highly recommend the Inside Calgary section of TripAdvisor's website as well. It has heaps of information on airport logistics, best areas in which to look for hotels, etc., etc., etc.

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Lots of loose layers will do you fine!

I bought some snow pants last year - but I only wear them for walking Henry and usually only when it's a 7am walk.

I would suggest that you don't bring many pairs of jeans as they don't keep the warmth in. I have a few pairs of fleecey pants that keep me much warmer than jeans.

Day to day I get on OK wearing a T-shit a Jumper (hoody or something) normal undies a good coat, gloves and hat and my fleecey pants, decent pair of boots. If you are going to be outside ALL day then an extra jumper and pair of socks may be needed.

In the UK I was ALWAYS cold, and was even known to wear a jogging suit to bed, it doesn't seem that much of a problem here.

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Dear God!

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Thank you judy

I will cast my eyes on that post and the sites you suggest - i am not very good at this posting lark :rofl: i keep missing the important bits :o

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Thanks you - i will get some warm bits and bobs and some fleecey pants :o:rofl:

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Calgary - but want to have a little explore up to Banff and Lake louise if we can

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Bring some skates! We were there on the weekend and the lake is like glass! Smooth as glass that is.

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

I wouldnt buy clothes just to bring on the off chance.

If you decide you need thermals, but them here, Zellers, Sears, WalMart whatever. Its will be cheaper, and you can count it as part of the reccie experience to check out prices.

The only time I wear my one and only pair of thermals is sitting in the Xmas parades, or if I am out in the yard on a -20C night getting the skating rink ready.

Layers is the key, unless you are planning some sort of outside expedition.

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Oh now I'm embarrassed:o They're just like thick jogging pants - not the pyjamarey type things that you see so many people wear.

The new Eddie Bauer store that I am working in opens on Friday so I will buy myself some of their flannel lined jeans - they look lovely. Expensive by my standards but with my discount it'll make it a little more palatable.:thumbsup:

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Just to clarify .... pants here are not underwear! :rofl:

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Hi folks,

great info thanks.

We are coming over for a twp week hols/reccie trip in March/April, just wondering if the same will go for us? Or will it be getting a bit warmer then?

Cheers to you all,
Carl:thumbup:

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

I must admit i was getting a little worried, just wondered how to wear these big fluffy knickers under some of my clothes :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Thanks all of you for the replies - will start to sort out some warm, but thin stuff so i can wear lots and keep warm.

Cheers

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

I have some Weekenders knit pants that are like thin sweat pants. When its really cold and I have to be outside, I wear them under my jeans - that way you have two layers and don't look so dorky wearing sweats over top!

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Hi All,

I have looked on a weather website for Calgary and Jan and Feb are about the worst. March April does start to get warmer, so do you think we will need winter gear?

So summing up what people have said, it's layers, hat gloves and scarf and some good boots. I have read somewhere the best place to get boots, can anybody recommend somewhere and the sort of boot to be looking for please.
Also, would it be better to buy all the family ( Wife , 2 kids and me) when we get there, rather than over here and pack the to bring. Someone suggested I buy some good trekking trainers and then wear them on the journey out there?

Welsh dragon,

Where abouts you stopping in Calgary?


Judy of Calgary,

great website, loads of information

Thanks to you all, ( hope you don't mind me asking on this thread?)

regards,
Carl:thumbup:

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

My winter boots are from "marks work wearhouse", a national chain. Windriver Tri-star somethingoranother

Waterproof, insulated, good for about -30, good non slip grip, and soft enough to not need a break in. They are quite light too for what they are.

About $80-100



I would bring what you have with you, and make sure you have decent jackets. Thermals and boots I would take a chance on getting here if you think you need them. I wouldnt take that chance on a jacket as A: They sell out quite early in the season & B: You are screwed without one.

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Yes.

When it comes to Calgary, it is absolutely useless to look at the average daily highs and daily lows for any given month. You need to look at the extremes that have been experienced in any given month. There is a finite chance that you could experience temperatures closer to the extremes than to the average.

Here is Environment Canada's web page for Calgary International Airport.

From this website you will see the following statistics for Calgary:

MARCH

Average daily high : +4 deg C

Average night time low : -8 deg C

Highest daily high ever recorded : +22 deg C

Lowest night time low ever recorded : -37 deg C


APRIL

Average daily high : +11 deg C

Average night time low : -2 deg C

Highest daily high ever recorded : +29 deg C

Lowest night time low ever recorded : -30 deg C


Mark's Work Wearhouse, as iaink said, has excellent boots. I've also heard good things about the boots at Canadian Tire.

A problem you may run into is that the selection at that time of year may not be the greatest, because it'll be getting towards the end of the season.


It depends why you would be buying the boots. Will you be on a recce trip, or will you be settling in Canada? Will you be going outside for two hours, or will you be alternating between interior spaces and the outdoors?

Regardless of whether you'll be on a recce trip or settling, I don't think it's worth going to a lot of expense. If it's a recce trip, it definitely isn't worth going to a lot of expense. Even if you'll be settling, it won't be worth it, because it'll be close to the end of winter. Your kids' feet will have grown by the next winter, and the boots that you buy for them in March / April 2008 may not fit by the autumn / winter of 2008 / 2009.

If you will be doing a mixture of indoor and light outdoor activities, trekking trainers may be enough for the entire trip.

ADVICE FOR A FULL WINTER

If you are going to spend a full winter in the Calgary area, your kids will need Sorel boots. These are boots that have a water-proof, nylon (or similar) outer covering and a removable and replaceable inner lining made of felt (which is one of the warmest materials on the planet).

Kids need warm boots, because quite a few of them walk from home to school and back again. Even if they don't do that, they go outdoors for recess, and they need to have clothing that is suitable down to about -25 deg C. On the very rare occasions that it gets down into the -30 deg C range in Calgary, recess is held indoors.

Men and women who spend a good deal of time outdoors also need Sorels. For example, when I stood at the bus stop on some very, very cold days, I was extremely grateful for my Sorels. They kept my toes toasty warm. Here are Sorel's collections of boots for men and women.

By the way, Mark's Work Wearhouse carries Sorel boots.

ADVICE FOR A RECCE TRIP

I feel that snow sneakers or snow runners are a good compromise when you will be visiting Calgary for a relatively short time and don't want to invest a huge amount of money in high quality, highly effective, but expensive boots. Snow sneakers or snow runners have the flexibility of sneakers or running shoes (what you call trainers in the UK), but they are insulated, so they provide more warmth than the average sneaker / runner / trainer.

Here is a photo of a pair of snow sneakers on LL Bean's website, so that you can visualize what I'm talking about.

I don't own a pair of snow sneakers. They were recommended to me by a friend who lives in Jasper, Alberta. I don't know where in Calgary you would find them, but I'm guessing Mark's Work Wearhouse would be as good a starting point for your search as any.

If you can't find something in a given store, clerks in Calgary usually are pretty good about recommending another store that might stock what you're looking for.

JACKET

About a jacket ....... I second what iaink said.

Hope that helps.

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Ahh thanks Iaink, some great info there. We are thinking of buying after Christmas holiday's, in the sales. will do a search on the internet for prices over there.

Thanks again,
Carl:thumbsup:

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

WOW Judy, great stuff, many thanks. Ahh where do i start looking:blink:

Thanks again, really appreciate it,
regards,
Carl:thumbup:

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Hey Rwin - you nicked my Avatar!!:mad:

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

He did, didn't he? Dont worry - yours is much slimmer!

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Oh, no - this might be the beginning of a Fat Avatar poll :eek:

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Hi Carl

We have found a nice B & B and they sound and look very nice. They give guests full use of the downstairs - lounges, DVD/TV, INternet etc... and also you can use the kitchen with cooker, fridge etc and we thought that would be nice to be able to have the days out and go back to the nice warm lounge for the evenings and also will help with the cost as i am sure eating out every night would be expensive. If you want the details PM me and i will let you have them.

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Better?

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

I hope the B & B in Calgary is not the one my son and his ex stayed in some years ago. The woman apparently sounded really nice on the phone. His ex told her that they were driving from Regina leaving later in the day and would not be arriving until around midnight. The woman said that would be perfectly OK. When they got there, the woman was mad becuase they arrived so late. She was mad because they took their daughter who was about three at the time. In the morning she stomped downstairs with a package of cornflakes and some milk and told them to make their own breakfast. Needless to say they paid her and left right away!

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Hi

I sure hope its not the same one as well:blink:.

I feel sure the one we are going to is of a very good standard. there is a huge choice of breakfast, all freshly prepared and the rooms looks lovely. We have corresponded with the couple a few times now and they are very helpfull and keep to help with lots of questions etc...

We like the idea of being able to return there in the evening after a day out, relax. watch TV and cook a nice meal ( Geraint will be doing the cooking - that is what becomes of being a very good cook ) :thumbsup:

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Hi there, how you doing?

Its been ages since we spoke :thumbdown:. We are really excited already about coming out and you are right about it going very quickly.

I went into town today and had a look at the jackets that are wind/waterproof and nice and warm and cozy. I also looked at warm trainers/boots etc but thought they were all boring, not at all girlie:p

I looked at nice warm undergarments that almost looked like proper clothes ( ie not underwear ) so will get us both a couple of tops prior to coming out.

how are things with you - PM me if you prefer

Take care

Dawn x

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

As far as boots go, I was outside most of the day in cool weather (20F so - minus several C). I wore a pair of lined wellies "Kamik" or something from Mark's Work Wearhouse, very warm and good for deep snow. I wore jeans and snow pants (like kids have) over them. That and an oilskin jacket are enough for this weather even though the wind here is severe. When it gets really cold I wear the boots and a pair of farmer pants with a quilted lining, also from Mark's. Aside from Mark's a national (multi-national even) chain that has cheap clothing suitable for winter is TSC (Tractor Supply Company), they keep a brand of work clothes called "Tough Duck" which is comparable in quality to the Carhartt's at MWW but a fair bit cheaper, the brand is a favourite with people who work outside all day.

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

[QUOTE=WelshDragonsWales;5617896]Hi there, how you doing?

Its been ages since we spoke :thumbdown:. We are really excited already about coming out and you are right about it going very quickly.

I went into town today and had a look at the jackets that are wind/waterproof and nice and warm and cozy. I also looked at warm trainers/boots etc but thought they were all boring, not at all girlie:p

I looked at nice warm undergarments that almost looked like proper clothes ( ie not underwear ) so will get us both a couple of tops prior to coming out.

how are things with you - PM me if you prefer

Take care



Dawn x[/QUOTE
]hey!! i was wondering if you got my last PM.???/. i answered yours...LOL....ping pong PMs...happening..hehehee

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

I'm going to hijack this thread a little....
I'm not even in Canada, but Sweden, but oh well. All's fair in ice and snow.

I too am trying to buy some winter boots and being female trying to compromise something that looks nice and that I can wear in the evening with something that won't have me butt-to-pavement. I already have a pair of gore-tex ankle boots for average walking around.
I've currently narrowed it down to two Timberland boots:
- one being their 14" big grippy sole waterproof boots. The catch? Not much on the lining side and that the biggest size in stock won't let me fit jeans inside. Which is all very well if I'm wearing a skirt but not useful otherwise.
- the other being waterproofed suede, 'teddy bear lined' also knee high boots. (I can also buy these online for half the ptice). Their catch is a flattish rubber 'crinkle' grip. (linky)

So my question basically is - do crinkly rubber soles grip anything?
It was an icerink here last week after rain followed several inches of snow then froze over again and I didn't feel too safe in my big grippy boots as they can't grip glass much more than trainers, but they can at least do snow.
[/hijack]

Oh it gets to -30C in Feb.

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

I don't know about Sweden, but here you can buy things you wear on your shoes to give them extra grip on icy surfaces ... Yak-Trax! http://yaktrax.com/

You can slip 'em on, and then remove them and pop them in your bag or coat pocket when you arrive safely!

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Mo' Have you used these? Are they any good?

I have got some anti slip boots but i do find that when the idiots around here don't carry out their Bylaw duty of shovelling that pretty white stuff the paths get a little trecherous - so was thinking on getting some of those fangled things.

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

I have a pair of slip-on cleats. The brand name is Get-A-Grip. Same general idea as Yaktrax. They are very effective.

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Yes I have, and they are REALLY good! We first saw folks wearing them at Johnston Canyon when the paths were about 6 inces thickly covered with compacted snow and ice. I can recommend them, and I saw something similar in Super Drug Mart this week.

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Hi

These Yaktrax sound and look great.... do you know if i can buy them mail order from the uk?? or would i have to buy them in Canada?

Thanks

Dawn

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Here's a linkie to the UK Web-site

http://www.yaktrax.co.uk/

Re: Okay - I know it will be cold - BUT.....
 

Thanks :D