Hi all

We are planning a reccie to Ottawa for next year, we like the idea of going in Feb when the Winterlude is on but not sure what the roads are like in bad weather, are they cleared etc as we want to have a look at different areas commutable to Ottawa and Kanata. Is it a better idea to wait until May?
Any opinions or tips would be good

Thanks
Andrea & family

Nipping to the shops yesterday morning.
Apparently these scenes aren't usual till January and February so people here keep telling me. So now you know what to expect in Ottawa.

Actually the main roads get cleared pretty quickly, unless the snow continuous in a heavy mode throughout the day and completely overwhelm the snow men.

But then I'm talking from the eastern side of Ottawa perspective. The west get the best.

I'm getting anal about the weather, as Adrian has mentioned.

Oh the last pic is our next residence if our house in the UK fails to sell again.

Hi Steve,

That is alot of snow!!
I think it may be best to come over in May, we may have a better chance of having a good look around, shame as our daughter can't wait for some snow. We were going to stay at the McKellar Park suites in Carling Avenue but not many reviews so may stay at Minto suites now if they can give us a good rate.
Sorry to hear about the house, we were panicking this week as we almost lost our buyer and we are paying rent and mtg at the mo which we really can't afford. Hopefully it should go ahead.
What part of Ottawa are you in?

Andrea

What are you doing up at this time of the morning! The fight I guess?

A neighbour I met at the mail box yesterday told me that more snow has fallen in one week than the whole of last winter. So it's hard to know really what it'll be like. I'm just south of Orleans. I prefer living on the east side of cities, it has more panache.

Minto suits is right in the downtown area, can't go wrong if you want to visit the parliament buildings (yawn) or the other 2 places of interest in Ottawa.

Oh you make Ottawa sound so appealing!
Not really into the fight. I really need to get to bed really, Our daughter has been poorly so woke up and I just stayed up surfing and looking at places to stay. We want something central but self catering so we can check out the grocery shopping etc. If it snows really bad in Feb we may get stuck there Oh what a shame

How is the cold? in yer bones freezing or dry cold? Our daughter already has a snow suit, picked one up in TK Maxx in Basingstoke a few weeks back. Also contacted "The Stennings" you mentioned, got their number and going to call next week

Better get some sleep

Good luck with the snow and the house
Andrea

That's not true. People have short memories. It snowed in early December and then warmed up. It all melted and there was no more until after Christmas. Overall, December received more or less the same amount as January and February (28cm, 31cm and 31cm). Look at the figures for recent years (December and the following February). In three recent winters, December got roughly the same as February. In three others it got much more.

2000 (109/49)
2001 (37/37)
2002 (17/60)
2003 (36/42)
2004 (69/32)
2005 (63/41)
2006 (28/31)

What is true about February is that you are more or less guaranteed at least 30cm and that it will be bloody cold.

I'd say come over in February and see what the winter is like here. It will give you an idea of what you'll have to deal with re: clothing, transport and all that stuff. May is May wherever you are, if you know what I mean...

I was also told when we got here in early October (from a different chap) not to bother with snow tires, it won't snow until January and it's a waste of money to buy any kind of snow blower. I took his advice and he failed me on all 3 counts. I guess experience is worth a thousand pieces of advice.

You mean your driving around on those roads in non winter tyres?

Yep, cos I'm 'ARD I am.
I've ordered some now though.

Hi Andrea
We were there at Easter, stayed at The Carlton Suites very good value and have indoor pool sauna etc, great for little ones to ease the looking around,

It snowed every day when we were there at easter but nothing bad, lots in Quebec great time, there's also science and dinosaur museums for kids
We may go at half term Feb we want to see what we are letting ourselves in for, any more info or places for kids, let me know

cheers sue

Weren't you planning to go to NS? What changed your mind?

Hiya

We do love NS but Ottawa is where the majority of work is for Mark so we really need to look there aswell, we haven't been there yet so will have to see what we think.

Andrea

Good luck anyway. I hope that it all works out for you.

"...not to bother with snow tyres...".

Or condoms, presumably.

Snow blowers are a moot point. If you have room to keep one and a big driveway, they are perhaps a good idea.