Feb too cold for Montreal?
 

Is it too cold in Montreal to visit in Feb? We're not sure if we should wait for nicer weather??

How does -20 Fahrenheit grab you?? <BR>But, I have a friend whose resistence to cold is almost legendary. We used to work in the same office and would take coffee breaks across the street. <BR>I would be in overcoat, hat, and gloves while he would merely slip on his suit coat. I froze; he was comfortable. <BR>So, I think cold tolerance has a wide range, up to a point. <BR>My Finnish friend thinks Edmonton, Alberta is fine. I would think I was freezing my anatomy every day between Dec 15 and April 15.

I have been to Montreal in both the winter and summer. Although it's more enjoyable in warm weather because of all the outdoor cafes and restaurants, we still had fun there last February. It can be quite cold, but a lot of Montreal's downtown is underground anyway. You'll find the downtown to be quite lively, even at 10 degrees farenheit. However, the old city is pretty dead in the winter. If your only going to do one trip to Montreal, the summer is a much wiser choice.

I would agree with Doug re: not staying in Old Montreal in winter. It's too far of a walk to the subway, especially if you're staying near the port.

I agree with Doug's statements about Montreal, having lived there for 5 years. The spring/summer/fall are liveliER but winter is still relatively active compared to most places on the continent. One caveat: Old Montreal is changing considerably as lots of Internet companies have set up lofts in this neighborhood. I just visited this past Thanksgiving USA, and even at -10°C, Old Montreal was quite lively with many of high quality restaurants, bakeries, etc... open for business. Old Montreal I remember 5 years ago as being very touristy...now it feels more like REAL Montreal.