Wearing the right clothing during the winter season in Canada will ensure you stay toasty warm so you can enjoy amazing outdoor activities. The winter season starts in December, but Canadians start dressing for winter in November when the temperature drops. For newcomers, getting winter-ready and buying good winter clothing basics is key to enjoying the winter season. The basic clothing items include a winter jacket, boots, scarves & gloves, and a warm hat (or “toque”). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"People](\"https:\/\/www.prepareforcanada.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-Items-for-Your-First-Winter-Season-in-Canada-Image-2.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCanada’s weather conditions<\/a> can be extreme, and they vary across the country. For example, the average daily temperature in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba can range between -15 degrees and as low as -40 degrees Celsius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n British Columbia enjoys a warmer and milder winter, and the temperature rarely drops below freezing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In central Canada (Ontario and Quebec), the average temperature ranges from -2 to -22 degrees Celsius. Northern Ontario and Quebec are much colder than southern Ontario. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Atlantic provinces (Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland), the average temperatures range from -2 to -20 degrees C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Add the wind chill index, and the temperature can feel even lower. The temperature may be -10 degrees C, but with a wind chill, it may feel like -20 degrees C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When shopping for a winter jacket, make sure it<\/span> is warm, waterproof, and durable. It’s best to wait until you arrive in Canada to buy a winter jacket, so you can buy one that is most suitable for the winter season in Canada. When buying a winter jacket, make sure it is well-insulated, covers your neck, and has a hood.<\/span> The Black Friday sales event<\/a> is one of the best times to buy affordable winter clothes and gear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can select from down jackets, synthetic jackets, and activewear jackets. Each type of jacket offers different levels of protection for the winter season and activities in Canada. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Down puff jackets are great insulators, lightweight, and trap and hold heat. The more down, the higher the cost of the coat. Typically, a 500 to 800-fill power is suitably warm and affordable. Synthetic insulation is heavier than down, but it is still warm, even when wet. It’s also a more affordable winter jacket option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Winter jackets in Canada are specifically designed for temperatures below 0 degrees. When selecting a winter jacket, consider the activities you will wear it for. For example, a heavy-duty winter jacket is ideal for places with frigid temperatures, especially if you plan to be outdoors for a long time. However, on Canada’s west coast, where the winter is not as cold as it is wet, you may want a winter coat geared more to water protection. Weather and precipitation are important factors to consider when you purchase your winter jacket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are unsure if a winter jacket will be warm enough for cold temperatures, windchills, or precipitation, ask the store clerk which jacket will best suit your needs. They know what clothing is required for Canadian winters and can offer you options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Premium winter jacket brands such as Canada Goose are expensive. However, a lower-cost jacket can offer warmth and protect you from the elements just as well. Keep an eye out for cost savings and discounts, and check online for deals before you buy in-store to get the best possible price. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Choosing good-quality winter boots will save money in the long run. You can buy cheap winter boots, but they may not last more than one winter season. When it comes to winter boots, you really do get what you pay for. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Wearing sneakers or dress shoes in snow or ice is cold and unsafe. Even though there may be salt on the sidewalk after a snowfall to melt the ice, you need proper winter boots to prevent falls and injuries. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Winter boots do more than provide grip between your feet and the icy and snowy ground.\u00a0 You lose heat through your feet because the ground is cold. Specially designed winter boots with a thick lining lock in heat while allowing your feet to breathe.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n A pair of thick merino wool socks is also a good way to stay warm in the winter season in Canada. Cotton socks are not as warm, don’t keep moisture away, and don’t dry out quickly, which will make you cold and uncomfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arriving with an action plan for your first weeks in Canada can save you time and money. The quicker you settle into your new environment the faster you\u2019ll feel at home! In this webinar, Your First Weeks in Canada, we discuss the important things to do to manage your first weeks efficiently. <\/p>\n REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.prepareforcanada.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-Items-for-Your-First-Winter-Season-in-Canada-Image-3.png\")
Winter Clothing to Keep You Warm<\/strong>: The Basics<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. <\/strong>A Good Winter Jacket <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nTypes of Winter Jackets <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.prepareforcanada.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-Items-for-Your-First-Winter-Season-in-Canada-Image-5.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAsk Questions When Buying a Winter Jacket<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.prepareforcanada.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-Items-for-Your-First-Winter-Season-in-Canada-Image-6.png\")
2. Good Quality Winter Boots<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.prepareforcanada.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/4-Items-for-Your-First-Winter-Season-in-Canada-Image-7.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nYour First Weeks in Canada | Developing Your Action Plan<\/h3>\n