Canada. Cold. (And Covid)

Story & Photography by Morgane Turqui

O kay, yes, I wanted a dramatic and catchy title. Even though everything is true about it. I went with a friend of mine to Canada, in February. February ? Going to Canada? You might ask. Yes, I’ve asked it myself more than once when I was buying my flight ticket, packing and trying to fit in as much winter clothes, gloves, scarfs as possible, when I was checking the upcoming temperatures and when I was on my way to the airport. Those questions kept ringing in my head and I think it was the first time ever I wasn’t 100% super excited about this trip. I don’t like the cold, I’m rather of a beachy and sunny type of girl. All the roads going to the beautiful lakes there were closed because of the snow and I was definitely not ready for the -30° Celsius. But you know what, I’ve had this opportunity of going on this trip, and I just took it. I think it happens that for other destinations, and other reasons, you may be scared, anxious and a part of you, even the smallest, doesn’t want to go. Maybe you’re being too picky - maybe - or maybe, thanks to several travels, you’ve come to know yourself a little bit better, what you like and what you dislike, what you can handle and what you can’t bare. But remember that it’s an experience after all. That you’re going to come back home, filled with memories, stories to tell, new acquaintances and perspectives. It may not be the best trip of your life, but it’s still going to be better than not going. And would you have done something more by staying at home watching Netflix anyways?

As for our trip, I do not regret it at all, I even wish I was going there with more confidence, joy and research done. Going to Canada in February, in the middle and the worst of winter is definitely something I would sign up for again ! And not only because we were lucky enough to come back home right before the Covid quarantine crisis.

We only stayed on the East Coast of Canada but it was beautiful. Never have I ever been surrounded with that much snow on a daily basis and it’s crazy how snow muffles and dampens down the sound. We stayed a week near Toronto and a week near Montreal. What I loved the most about the trip was nature. Of course, Canada is well known for its beautiful lakes, nature and animals - and truth to be told, we haven’t been disappointed at all !

Winter in Canada starts by buying good winter boots. I bought Sorrels on Vinted, at $70, and I think it’s definitely one of the best investment I have ever made in my life ! Not only did they keep my feet warm but they were super comfortable.

Good comfy shoes - great long trek, I must say.

I was then ready to hop on a not-so-freezyanymore adventure.

TOP 3 THINGS TO DO IN WINTER IN CANADA:

DOGSLEDDING

It is quite pricey but it is worth every single penny. You absolutely feel like you’re in a movie, as soon as you jump on the sled, and you start figuring out how it works (you’ll be surprised, it’s not that easy and relaxing as it looks, especially when the dogs pulling your sled are fighting in front of you while they are running), then, the magic appears, whether you’re pacing up and down through the forest, or smoothly slide on a frozen lake. It is usually 2 hours long, and you get to pet the dogs, and give them water at the end. Try to go with an even group of people, otherwise, one of you will sled alone.

PARC OMEGA

This was the most beautiful surprise we had. I watched online a couples of videos of the parc, of people, feeding animals approaching them to their cars. But to be honest, I think I didn’t really believed it, until I was actually there. It takes 2 hours to drive the whole tour. They sell carrots at the entrance of the parc, but honestly, you should just buy them in Walmart or something, in which they are half the price as they sell them in the parc. Half the animals are in a fence, so they cannot approach you (and that’s for the best, even though I’m in a car, I do not want to be face to face with a wolf). The other half (mostly wapiti, moose, deer, hind, wild boar, ...) will come to you car window very easily, if they see that you have carrots! I was so impressed by how friendly the animals are, they let you pet them, and are just chilling around your car, or in the middle of the road. Going there in winter has three undeniable benefits :

• Less tourists, so you can take your time driving, feeding and petting the animals, nobody is tailing you

• Less tourists so you have time to enjoy the free facilities the parc has (they lend you snowshoes, and you can go on a small carriage ride for free, and there’s not a huge queue to do)

• Your pictures will have more charm, as the animals will pop out from the white snowy background

If you’re in the area, this is definitely a must go !

HOCKEY GAME

Probably the most cliché Canadian thing we’ve done, but I surely don’t regret it ! Okay, they do have hockey game, not only in wintertime, but it felt more authentic, and you’re right in the middle of the season when big teams play (from early October till early April). Make sure you buy your tickets in advance, it is full very rapidly.

A FEW TIPS :

• In Canada, as in the US, you must leave a tip ! (That one’s for you, Europeans)

• Make sure if you go in winter time, that you rental car has snow tires. They don’t put it automatically depending on where you’re taking your rental from, but in some regions, it is mandatory (in Quebec, for example). It is more expensive, a few dollars a day, but it is a must have in winter, in Canada.

• Buy good winter boots (such as Sorrels) and don’t go out without gloves on.

• Book everything in advance, whether it is a hockey game, or dogsledding.

• Don’t forget to eat a poutine and maple syrup ! A great address if you want to visit a factory, make a stop in between Montreal and Quebec at Chez Danny, in a warm and family atmosphere, this rustic sugar shack will tour you into its production of maple syrup and then offer you lunch or supper, as well as maple taffy, with traditional music, for around $20 total.

• Last piece of advice, if you’re ever not 100% excited about going somewhere, because of certain reasons, it’s okay. But it may end up being the thing you liked the most or was the most surprised about on your journey.

• Try to live the seasons, try to breathe new horizons.