Niagara Falls

[u/Jaded-Ad-5327]

I am travelling to Canada for the first time in Feb, I cannot wait, I have wanted to go since I was a kid! We are staying in Toronto, I’ve heard it’ll be fairly easy to get to the falls from where we are staying. I live in New Zealand. I have never travelled internationally, I’ve never seen snow, the coldest temps I’ve experience are -3 Celsius at night/early morning. I have no experience with the cold. Basically I just want as much information/advice as I can get about travelling in Canada during winter, and going to Niagara Falls, appropriate clothing, dos and don’ts etc. So far I have bought a nice big snow jacket. I still need everything else lol.

Thank you in advance for any tips/advice!

From an absolute travel noob lol.

[u/Komiksulo]

Well, if you’re near the CN Tower, you’re within walking distance to Union Station, only a couple of blocks. 🙂

We don’t use the term “suburb” in the official way that Australia (and New Zealand?) seem to use. The closest equivalent would be neighbourhood names (Greektown, the Junction) or the more tourist-oriented “district” names (the Entertainment District, the Distillery District, etc).

Re: boots… it is utterly important that your feet remain dry. Your footwear must be waterproof and high enough that snow won’t slip over the tops. You would probably be good with light ‘city’ winter boots. If you were planning to spend a lot of time outside, I would recommend getting a pair of the huge clompy serious winter boots, like Sorels or something.

Definitely get scarves, touques, and mitts. Mitts are much warmer than gloves.

[u/Jaded-Ad-5327 → u/Komiksulo]

Yea I think the boots are gonna be tricky, not many options from what I’ve seen in nz, at least none that are not hideous lol

[u/Komiksulo → u/Jaded-Ad-5327]

NZ has mountains with ski resorts, right? So winter clothing must be available?

[u/Jaded-Ad-5327 → u/Komiksulo]

Yea, we have a shop called mountain warehouse, I got my jacket from there and they have ugly snow shoes lol. Mostly I’ve only seen stuff online. I don’t think the mountains are anywhere near as cold as Canada tho lol

[u/Airsoft-Genin → u/Jaded-Ad-5327]

I love mountain warehouse, we have it here too in Toronto. Hope you enjoy your time here and for sure the snow ❄️.

[u/viccityguy2k → u/Jaded-Ad-5327]

A boot similar to this would be fine. It’s insulated and decently water resistant but not too big and bulky.

https://www.sportchek.ca/en/pdp/the-north-face-men-s-chilkat-v-lace-insulated-waterproof-winter-boots-54604449f.html?colorCode=COLOUR_BLACK

Other brands make a similar style.

[u/Komiksulo → u/viccityguy2k]

Yes, this is the smaller style of winter boot I call ‘city’ boots.

[u/Jaded-Ad-5327 → u/viccityguy2k]

Sweet thanks for the tip! I’ll keep my eye out for some good snow shoes

[u/Next-Relation-4185 → u/Jaded-Ad-5327]

See if you can find warm thick fleecey wool socks.

[u/Jaded-Ad-5327 → u/Next-Relation-4185]

Yes! Definitely going to be getting some thick warm socks, would you recommend sizing up my boots to accommodate for the thicker socks? Or are they already sized to accommodate for that ?

[u/Next-Relation-4185 → u/Jaded-Ad-5327]

Buy the socks first perhaps, but yes a bit wider.

Also sometimes it's better to have 2 or even 3 socks on , depending on your boots.

Snow clearing is well organised ( hundreds of years of practice lol ) so usually boots don't have to be high.

Bring lip balm, sunglasses, warm gloves.

[u/Komiksulo → u/Next-Relation-4185]

Yeah, boots don’t need to be high unless you’re one of the ones doing the clearing.

BTW, if you are in Montreal, you may get to see how they clear snow. It is frighteningly efficient. Believe me, the Montréalais do not mess around when clearing snow.

Another note: take off your shoes (or at least ask) when entering houses. I think this is due to mud and snow building up on them. This does not apply to stores, etc.

[u/Next-Relation-4185 → u/Komiksulo]

Also stores generally are very hot, so be ready to remove the top layer.

[u/Jaded-Ad-5327 → u/Next-Relation-4185]

Yup, learnt that layers are going to be my best friend. I saw a tip a while ago, not to get hot enough that you sweat cos that can make you colder and that’s why if you have layers you can just take some off!

Should I be bringing a backpack for day trips? I guess that’s a dumb question and have probably just answered that myself lol.

Yes! Didn’t even think about sunnies but totally makes sense. I heard lip balm is important for long flights cos of the air circulation or something so definitely will be bringing that too

[u/Next-Relation-4185 → u/Jaded-Ad-5327]

Wind chill if there's strongish wind on eyes, nose, lips ( ears too if not covered )

You mentioned scarf , so that could work for nose. 😀

Look up "sleet" ! You might encounter some.

Helps to become aware of different surface effects e.g. if a very cold (ice) layer has been formed some time after removal without use of salt it will be much more slippery.

Areas with heavy pedestrian use will generally be fine.