Which Canadian city for a short family hockey trip?

[lucaseider]

If you want decent weather, Vancouver is really your only option. It averages somewhere around 8 degrees

Edmonton and Calgary are cold, depressing and dark still

Toronto and Ottawa aren’t too bad

Montreal is cold

Winnipeg is…. Well, Winnipeg

I mean, you trash someone for their opinion on Vancouver, then do the same thing to other cities. As someone pointed out, Toronto is one degree warmer than Calgary in February. As for depressing, not sure what you mean but seeing rain pretty much every day I am ever in Vancouver is depressing to me.

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

February?
The only option is Vancouver, at least you can walk safely on rain

 

[NyQuil]

Honestly during the coldest month in Canada, Vancouver is the best option because you can actually walk outside without freezing your bum and there are lots of places to visit in Vancouver and Victoria. And if they want outdoor adventure, Whistler is awesome in winter time.

It’s like the famous German saying:

“There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”

 

[lucaseider]

questions

1) have you been to Canada before?
2) are you also looking to do stuff away from the Arena?
3) In Feb in Calgary, Edmonton and the peg---you are looking at the coldest time of the year--is this okay with you -50 before the windchill factor
4) are you looking for history as well?

Lived in Calgary my entire life -50 before windchill is not a thing. I may have seen it that way once or twice in my life.

 

[NyQuil]

February?
The only option is Vancouver, at least you can walk safely on rain

Yes, the rest of the country are all in wheel chairs and stumbling around on crutches.

 

[jackjohnson]

It’s like the famous German saying:

“There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”

I don't know if clothing helps with -50C in Winnipeg

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

Yes, the rest of the country are all in wheel chairs and stumbling around on crutches.

That’s how I walk during the 3 days of tiny snow in Vancouver every winter

 

[jackjohnson]

Yes, the rest of the country are all in wheel chairs and stumbling around on crutches.

Well for foreigners Canada during the coldest month would be similar to going to Pluto. Especially if someone comes from a place where it regularly hits 30 to 40C. You need special $2000 jackets in some parts of Canada if you ever want to be outside in frigid temp but I bet most would be spending time indoors.

 

[GordonGraham]

Montreal and Ottawa is the winning combo kess than 2 hour drive between them,

Ottawa will have the cheapest good tickets, nations capital so plenty of stuff to visit, junor team as well

Montreal has a rocking building, AHL just one subway ride away

 

[jackjohnson]

That’s how I walk during the 3 days of tiny snow in Vancouver every winter

We might not even get snow this year due to El Nino but I heard the rest of Canada won't be as lucky lol

 

[NyQuil]

We might not even get snow this year due to El Nino but I heard the rest of Canada won't be as lucky lol

I like when there’s snow at Christmas.

Taking my kid to the toboggan hill.

Going cross country skiing along the Ottawa river or in Gatineau Park.

Shinny on the outdoor rinks.

 

[FDBluth]

Well for foreigners Canada during the coldest month would be similar to going to Pluto. Especially if someone comes from a place where it regularly hits 30 to 40C. You need special $2000 jackets in some parts of Canada if you ever want to be outside in frigid temp but I bet most would be spending time indoors.

special trade secret from a real Canadian (myself)about dressing in winter: layers

when I was a student my whole winter wardrobe was from Value Village and I survived multiple winters in Montreal. somehow.

 

[jackjohnson]

Montreal and Ottawa is the winning combo kess than 2 hour drive between them,

Ottawa will have the cheapest good tickets, nations capital so plenty of stuff to visit, junor team as well

Montreal has a rocking building, AHL just one subway ride away

I like Montreal, Ottawa is a bit boring for most but I guess for a first time visit might not be so bad to see the Parliament Hill and museums. The best hotel to stay in Ottawa is definitely Business Inn. Cheap rates, breakfast included and huge rooms with 2 queen beds and 2 TVs and kitchen etc. And pretty central location too. But I wouldn't stay too long in Ottawa and would explore Montreal more. Maybe for NHL tix Ottawa would be the best

 

[GordonGraham]

You need special $2000 jackets in some parts of Canada if you ever want to be outside in frigid temp but I bet most would be spending time indoors.

WTF is this bullshit 99.9% of the population never owned a 2000$ jacket

 

[jackjohnson]

I like when there’s snow at Christmas.

Taking my kid to the toboggan hill.

Going cross country skiing along the Ottawa river or in Gatineau Park.

Shinny on the outdoor rinks.

Ottawa is nice and clean, visited there multiple times and friendly people too. I feel like am actually in Canada when am in Ottawa lol. It's good place but I do find it a bit boring for a vacation. Maybe short stay like 3 days in Ottawa would cover most things you might want to see

 

[NyQuil]

WTF is this bullshit 99.9% of the population never owned a 2000$ jacket

I wear a regular black wool coat in the winter and occasionally a scarf and hat. A ski jacket on the canal or skiing.

I have a parka I wear for shoveling maybe 3 or 4 nights a year.

Your tolerance for the cold builds pretty quickly.

 

[Three On Zero]

I mean, you trash someone for their opinion on Vancouver, then do the same thing to other cities. As someone pointed out, Toronto is one degree warmer than Calgary in February. As for depressing, not sure what you mean but seeing rain pretty much every day I am ever in Vancouver is depressing to me.

+8 with a chance of rain and overcast, otherwise good weather

Or a guarantee of -30 to -50 with only a few hours of light a day

 

[TheGroceryStick]

I dislike the team. But Montreal is a wicked place to go

Ottawa is nice. But the hockey experience is awful, just the absolute worst arena / location.

 

[jackjohnson]

WTF is this bullshit 99.9% of the population never owned a 2000$ jacket

Well am saying if you want to go outside in -20C you need a good jacket and many people buy good jackets in the east bud. My friend who moved to Vancouver from Toronto had to sell his expensive jackets. I exaggerated on the price but you honestly need a good, thick jackets that's rated for -20C and lower, you can't wear just a regular thin jacket outside unless you are only out for less than 5 to 10 minutes.

 

[NyQuil]

Well am saying if you want to go outside in -20C you need a good jacket and many people buy good jackets in the east bud. My friend who moved to Vancouver from Toronto had to sell his expensive jackets. I exaggerated on the price but you honestly need a good, thick jackets that's rated for -20C and lower, you can't wear just a regular thin jacket outside unless you are only out for less than 5 to 10 minutes.

Or you wear a sweater underneath.

 

[PoutineSp00nZ]

Well for foreigners Canada during the coldest month would be similar to going to Pluto. Especially if someone comes from a place where it regularly hits 30 to 40C. You need special $2000 jackets in some parts of Canada if you ever want to be outside in frigid temp but I bet most would be spending time indoors.

That is absurd. You don't need a top of the line Canada Goose jacket. If you want a nice coat you can spend 300 dollars for a down filled super warm parka. Or you can wear a normal jacket with layers beneath.

Thermal underwear, a sweater , a 100 dollar coat, warm socks, boots and a toque will keep you toasty warm in -30 weather.

 

[jackjohnson]

I mean, you trash someone for their opinion on Vancouver, then do the same thing to other cities. As someone pointed out, Toronto is one degree warmer than Calgary in February. As for depressing, not sure what you mean but seeing rain pretty much every day I am ever in Vancouver is depressing to me.

For tourists that come to Vancouver, they would be busy dinning out, bars, club, lounges, science world, space museum etc. So rain is not really that big of a deal. Also visiting Capilano suspension bridge on a cloudy day is still pretty cool. You can do shopping in many of the big outlets or go to Whistler for a day trip and ski on the mountains. Many things to do indoors and outdoors in Vancouver and 8C with rain is still better than having to endure a -20C or lower condition as most tourists probably won't tolerate it compared to someone that probably lives there

 

[Bouboumaster]

Unless you speak French don't go to Montreal. Toronto is the number 1 city in Canada and the hockey world

50% of Montrealers are builingual.....

 

[jackjohnson]

Or you wear a sweater underneath.

How much does that help though? I mean they sell jackets with heating pads inside so I assume a sweater is not going to respond that well if conditions are frigid.

 

[lucaseider]

+8 with a chance of rain and overcast, otherwise good weather

Or a guarantee of -30 to -50 with only a few hours of light a day

Or, Calgary has a chinook, and it +10. People that know Calgary know this. Otherwise, yes Vancouver is warmer, if not more dreary. Let us know the dates of all these -50 days in Calgary.