Coming from the South (Virginia) I need some recommendations regarding warm waterproof boots for women to wear during Winter Carnaval in Quebec Feb 07. What special features should I look for to keep my feet warm and avoid slipping. Thanks for any and all advice!

There are a lot of boots with one piee soles where the heel just sort of flows from the front-bottom of the shoe. THESE ARE BAD.

Almost as bad are high heels, so becareful of being too stylish.

And when you try on boots, wear an extra pair of thick socks, because you'll want the extra warmth in Quebec City.

There's lots to do outside in Quebec City, so you'll want warmth so that you can have fun.

BAK

La Canadienne make a boot that is warm and waterproof. For warmth go for the shearling lined boot. Here is their website for description. They are pricey if you are going to wear them for only one week.
http://www.millershoes.com/La-Canadi...l-m-86-g-2.asp

Sorels - http://www.sorel.com/

If it for just one week EVER that you are likely to need these boots, make your first stop in Quebec, a mall. Check out Zellers, Payless or any other discount retailer and pick up something warm and comfy for $30.00. By the time they have lost their initial waterprooofing, you will be back in "Old Virginny".

Having read an LL Bean catalog yesterday, ... you could solve your problem for forty dollars plus shipping, and get the boots before you leave home.

Make sure that the tread on the boot is pliant enough that it actually gives you traction on ice and snow. You can find shoes and boots with a deep tread, but the material is very hard and plastic. I find that these are almost as slippery as no tread at all. The tread material should be rubbery in texture. I often have this kind of tread added to "last year's boot" at a shoe repair shop. If you arrive bootless in Quebec City, you can probably have this done in a few hours at a shopping mall. (Does Quebec have Moneysworth & Best shoe repair outlets?)

Sorels - certainly not stylish but your feet won't get cold.

Years ago, my mother-in-law visited from Sydney, Australia in February. Of course she didn't have boots and at the time we didn't have a car, so she had to do a fair amount of walking. We went out to a store when she got to Toronto and bought boots then. They weren't especially expensive, and it made sense - I'm sure she's never worn those boots ever again (mind you, she said they were the ugliest things she's ever worn!).

My favorite winter boots when we lived in NY were Santana, made in Canada.
They are leather, waterproofed and usually lined with flannel or fleece. Look for those when you get there, if you don't buy a pair before your trip..You could get them in Nordstroms a couple of years ago..if you have one around..or look on Zappos.com

UGGS are warm and comfortable but a bit pricey.