Winter in Canada.
 

We are brazilian(a couple and a kid)and we are thinking about going to Canada next hollydays in December. We would like to be informed about the wheater, if it is adviceble or not going in winter. We`re afraid we can not face the low temperature and in view of this, not to take all advantages of the travel. Please let us know about it!

Hello Ana, <BR> In Canada it is "usually" rainy and cold or snowy and cold in December. <BR> I have been to Rio, Sao Paulo, Brasilia and Salvador. If you are from one of these areas and enjoy the weather there, you will find winter in Canada uncomfortable and expensive if you need to purchase winter clothing. <BR> I suggest you travel to Canada in the fall when you can experience the wonderful foliage change. <BR> A.M.

Canada, much like Brazil, USA and Australia - is a huge country, so the winter weather really varies depending on where you're going to be going. <BR>

Hi <BR>I'm in Australia and I lived in Canada for 2 years and therefore I was there in winter. <BR>Unless you know someone who can outfit you all in fur coats, hats, gloves, boots, and all the warmest clothes you can think of then don't go in winter. <BR>Snow covered everything is not wonderful and makes for very dangerous driving if you are not experienced in ice and snow. <BR>Go when the weather is nice and have a wonderful time. <BR>

Finemore, you may have lived in Canada for 2 years but obviously not in the southwest, (Vancouver & Victoria area). As the previous posts say Canada is a huge country and while 95% of it experiences snowy winters - 5% doesn't. <BR> <BR>That said I still wouldn't reccomend any part of Canada for a winter vacation unless you were into winter sports like skiing, etc. Even in Vancouver December is the hight of the monsoon season and also the darkest month when the days are only 8 hours long. Temperatures can reach the low teens but usually stick in the single digits (plus and occaisionally minus). <BR> <BR>But if you like to ski or snowboard and don't especially like double digit sub zero temperatures then S.W. BC is a great place and Vancouver & Victoria are in there Xmas New Years finary.

Not being geographically challanged I am aware of the temperatures in B.C in winter and the rest of Canada for that matter. <BR>If someone from a warm country asked if it was wise to spend a winter in Canada I would always say NO because you forget that your summer has temps like our winters and we neither expect nor are prepared for such climates. <BR>I am assuming that these people would not want to just sit in Vancouver and not go anywhere - therefore they would need to have some expectation of driving conditions on slippery icy roads. <BR>PS I have just come back from the South West of Canada and the thought of driving to Whistler in December would be daunting. <BR>

I live in Ottawa (Canada's capital), which experiences serious winter. I have to respectfully disagree with most of the above posts. <BR> <BR>Just because someone's from Brazil doesn't mean they should avoid the northern hemisphere in winter! That's about as silly as stating that anyone from a northern country should simply avoid the southern hemisphere in summer, because they couldn't possibly stand the heat. <BR> <BR>I think a winter vacation could be a fantastic adventure. Doing something that one can't do or experience at home makes for some of the best vacations. <BR> <BR>While Winter in Canada can be chilly, if you're dressed appropriately, it can be gorgeous outside and and fun. Some good places to go for example would be to Quebec city for the Winter Carnival, or to a ski resort such as Whistler, Banff, Lake Louise, etc. <BR> <BR>No matter where you went, you could stay indoors as much as you wanted by a cozy fire, and head out when the spirit took you. You can experience things one can't in Brazil such as cross-country or downhill skiiing, ice-skating, toboganning, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, sleigh rides, even dog sleds! Once you've had enough of the cold, head back indoors to warm up by the fire. It can be fun, scenic and quite romantic. <BR> <BR>You could also visit larger cities like Montreal, Toronto, or even Vancouver if you wanted something a little warmer. With Whistler so close, one could experience winter, the mountains and a great ski resort pretty easily. <BR> <BR>I have no doubt there are lots of winter vacation packages available, that would take care of accomodation, transportation, and would let you experience some winter fun. I'd really recommend taking a serious look at them, and if you like what you read, go for it! Don't listen to people who tell you you can't take a little cold air! <BR> <BR>Mike

Mike! you are forgetting one small thing. Have you ever thought what clothes people from a warm climate have in their wardrobe? A cardigan perhaps and thats about it. <BR>The cost of outfitting someone who does not have the clothes for a Canadian winter ( whatever part of Canada it is) is prohibitive. I couldn't go to the southern parts of Australia and be comfortable in winter let alone Canada. <BR>If you come from a cold climate to a hot one you just take off your clothes - if you don't have warm clothes then its hard to put them on. <BR>I am not having a "go" at Canada or its climate I am just being practical. From +30 to -30 can be extreme - or if you are going to Vancouver and you don't wish to go to Whistler from +30 to +1 deg is still extreme if you are not dressed for the occasion.