winter in Canada
 

My husband and I are planning a trip to Canada in early January and would love to go to either Quebec City or Victoria. We've been to Vancouver before so Quebec would be our first choice but we're very concerned about the weather. Anyone have experience in either of these two places at that time of year? We're not skiiers.

The Environment Canada web site is www.weatheroffice.com and they can provide forecasts for the regions you are considering visiting. Quebec City is generally colder and has more snow than Victoria in the winter. I personally prefer Quebec City, but that is only my opinion! Good luck with the planning!

Quebec City is a winter wonderland.<BR>Victoria would be more like Seattle.

Even though I haven't been there, Quebec would definitely have something going for it in the winter. Although I'm sure you're aware of that, otherwise you wouldn't be attracted into going!<BR><BR>Victoria, while a *very* different city than Vancouver (despite the fact that they're about 2-3 hours apart, and both begin with "V"), they share a similar coastal climate. It's very unlikely you'd get snow on the coast. It does happen once or twice a winter - but usually melts by the next day. Victoria's weather will very much be rainy, because you're technically in a rain forest zone. Nevertheless, temperatures would be above freezing (unless there's an unusual cold spell), and rain/cloud is to be expected.<BR><BR>You could still visit the Butchart Gardens, the Royal Museum of BC, the Empress Hotel, the shops down Yates/Government/etc. Victoria would still be charming, although I personally feel the "British charm" is forced for the sake of the tourists.<BR><BR>A lot of people go to Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island for storm watching. That may interest you too.

I think Quebec City would be beautiful, but much depends on how you tolerate extreme cold. I was in Montreal in December a couple of years ago and found it uncomfortably cold - it was snowing and my hair froze! The city looked lovely, but felt quite unlovely. And I realize this is only one person's opinion.

I think it depends on where you are from. Quebec will be very cold in January. I am from NB, the next province over, and January is usually <BR>-5C to -20C, then you have wind chill on top of that. Wind chill is really what makes winter cold. Just think in the hot summer, how a breeze cools everything down, now think of that breeze in freezing temperatures.<BR><BR>Victoria is one of the warmest areas of Canada. My friend lives in Vancouver, and she is always joking about how she is gardening in January while we are digging ourselves out of our driveways.

If snow, ice and serious cold scares you then by all means don't go to Quebec in january. Victoria will likely be cool and showery but snow and ice are very rare and as someone above said - it won't last for long.

Two years ago we visited Quebec city. It was so cold and windy that all we wanted to do was to go home and we are from Maine. We have winters and cold too but the winds in Quebec City were insane

Quebec City in the winter is definitely cold. They don't wear fur coats for the fun of it!! If you are so inclined to visit during the winter, make sure you go during Carnival - lots to do and alhtough it is cold outside, you won't mind it as much! It has been many years since we attended, but I seem to recall it being around the end of January or first of February.

Winter is not a good time to go to Canada. It's milder in the West coast, but it rains all the time, meaning the sky is always grey and you never see the sun for about 3 months. For the rest of Canada, it's very cold, especially in January. If you plan to go to Quebec City, which is a city more fit for walking around then driving around, then you will have a difficult time. Besides, January is usually a very very slow month with little activities just after the Christmas rush. <BR>

On the same topic, how cold does it get towards the end of November usually? My wife and I are thinking about visiting Montreal/Quebec for the first time and want to make sure that we'll enjoy the trip. Do the snow storms typically hit by then?

Last winter the snow and horrible cold only really began in January. So far, this has been the warmest year we have had. Tomorrow we are expecting temperatures around 20 degrees celsius. I can't say for sure how cold it will be in November, but I don't think it should be too bad in Montreal/Quebec City

Sorry...forgot to clarify. We are planning on going there for American thanksgiving so it's going to be the end of November/beginning of December. Has it ever been very cold at around that time? Thanks in advance.<BR>ps Thank you xxx for your response

It is rare to have a snow storm in November, the last few years, we've only really gotten snow closer to Christmas. In New Brunswick we almost had a green Christmas last year. I think it even rained. you might get a flurry or two, although if you are from the southern states, maybe this would be be considered a storm!! ha ha.

Thanks Melissa. My next question is, how far is the drive from Montreal to Quebec City?

It's a 2.5 to 3 hour drive.