Getting ready for winters in Canada

Winters walk-in without a warning. Getting ready for winters in Canada is easy if you know what you need to buy to brace winters in Canada. You need to be ready for when the winters creep in. People living outside Canada have a very different perception of how cold the winters are going to be. Well, you can’t blame them when people in Canada keep on giving them the wrong idea.

I remember when I was moving to Canada, I asked a friend of mine. Guess what message I got? Be ready for the cold, even your sweat will freeze off as soon as you step out. I has the image of Iceman from Marvel in my head. Why, why would you do that?

What Next??

I started researching on winter wear sitting in Abu Dhabi. When you are sitting in the desert looking for winter wear the first thing that pops up in search is the Emirates Mall – Ski Dubai. Like why? I asked for winter wear and not winter sports. Get real google. Give me what I need.

There are very limited stores outside Canada that can provide you with real winter gear. And the stores that really cater to people for winter wear are extremely expensive.

When you are moving and landing in Canada during the winters, you don’t want your crap to freeze as soon as you step out of terminal. Trust me that’s not the case, unless you are landing in Antarctica! Or yes a few far-fetched areas of Canada, names that you haven’t heard even. Unless you paid CAD 25K – 35K to score an authentic LMIA in the Yukon Territory. Yes that is happening too. Don’t ask me how! I just know and I am not telling!

Sorry went off there a little bit, coming back! Winter wear is not expensive, that is just the cost of staying warm. Do you want to stay human or become a walking Popsicle?

What to Buy??

The list is not that long as you might expect. Before coming to Canada, you should have bought at least one warm jacket. A jacket that can tackle 32°F (0°C) would suffice. You should be ready to buy winter wear once you land in Canada.

There is a reason that CIC asks you to have enough funds to survive the first few month in Canada prior to you landing in Canada and becoming a permanent resident. Winter wear is pricey, but it is affordable. Why? Because it is essential for living in Canada.

When moving to Canada, we had a wardrobe that was essential for 12 months. After moving to Canada, the wardrobe doubled, you have to have a separate summer wardrobe and a separate winter wardrobe.

“Oh boy! I saw those greens fly out of the wallet so fast as if a winter storm had blasted through my wallet!!!“

The Winter List

It is not as long as you might think. There are a few things that you should consider and buy for surviving the winters in Canada. I will list down the items in terms of importance:

1. Winter Jacket – Don’t shy out on buying that winter jacket. Not saying that you should just go ahead and buy a Canada Goose jacket, at least go for a good jacket from Columbia, North Face or Eddie Bauer.
2. Winter Hat/Cap/Beanie – An essential piece of winter wear. You definitely need one. That winter breeze will give you a headache so fast that even Tylenol will not be a match.
3. Winter Gloves – Now these are a need that you would not walk out on. Get those gloves if you love your fingertips. The first place where frostbite hits. And the first thing that gets chopped off as being unimportant. Just kidding!
4. Winter Socks and Boots – Do you love to walk and run? Walking in snow with those boots and socks on is like carrying a kid lugging your leg for dear life. But guess what, you need them. My preference for boots so far have been a life saver, although weighing a ton, are Sorrels.
5. Thermal Innerwear – Coming from Abu Dhabi, I used to get shivers in my legs. Probably coming from anywhere you will get those chills. I bought these amazing thin Columbia Omni-Heat knit tights. Going for an interview, all dressed up in dress pants and shirts, no one knew what was keeping my legs warm. They do cost big bucks for a pair, but have at least two of them.

Well nothing above is less important. You need them all to survive the winters.

Where to Buy??

There are multiple stores in Canada for winter wear. Every store is unique in its own way and products vary in pricing all across. A few of the top stores that you can look up are as follows:

1. Columbia – One Stop Shop
2. Eddie Bauer
3. The North Face

As an immigrant, you want to ensure that you save your money to survive. Don’t spend everything in the first drop but make sure that you have your needs fulfilled. Bracing the winters with the right winter gear helps you love it. If you have bad winter wear, you might start hating the weather here and might be taking the next flight back home.

Come here to Stay:

As an immigrant, you are moving out of your comfort zone. You might be coming in with your family or walking in alone. But bracing the weather is a very minor glitch. Winters are beautiful. It’s a hoax that you can’t handle the weather here. And winters are extreme and unbearable. In fact, winters here are beautiful and bring about a light that you don’t see all year around.

You have always heard that nights are dark and gloomy. No they are not. When it snows here in Canada, the white sheet that layers the world around us reflects the light in a way that nights become bright, white and lighted.

And guess what, when it snows, it’s not as cold as you might think. In fact it’s not cold at all. It gets cold after the snow has fallen and has left everything white. The next day or a few are very cold. Brrrr. Bearable though.

“Your body adjusts to the climate over the years. You stop feeling as cold as you felt when you landed as an Immigrant. Amazing how God created a human body to adapt.”

Good luck with your move and hope you are getting ready for winters in Canada. See you soon and stay safe. Before you leave to buy your winter wear, don’t forget to:

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