My Canada in Winter

Winter in Canada

I was invited by Pamela at Savoir Faire Abroad to take part in her My Canada series, winter edition.  You may remember us participating with our post This is My (our) Canada earlier this year.

The fact of the matter is, not all Canadians love winter.  I’m (Nat) one of those Canadians.  I love winter as a romantic idea, the fluffy snow, Christmas and all that but when it snows more than one foot and it goes below 30C, I’m out.  I’m cranky, I’m cold and all I want is warmth.  That said, I think Canada is beautiful all dressed up in white but I also enjoy the parts of Canada that don’t get draped in snow.  Here are some of my favourite things about winter in Canada.

Christmas on the beach

Walking the sea wall and the beach at English Bay on Christmas day is a treat, especially if it’s sunny.  Sunshine means it’s packed with people getting some exercise in before they head back home for celebrations and a turkey dinner.

Freakish amounts of snow

I remember years ago seeing photos of Mount Washington where so much snow fell that they had to cut the roads out with huge trucks.  I always thought those pictures were photoshopped until I went to Mount Washington and saw it with my own eyes.  It is definitely a site to see.

Skating on the Ottawa canal

I have to confess I haven’t skated in years but I do remember a particular New Year’s Eve, skating on the canal, with the fireworks going off behind the parliament.  It was spectacular.

Winter photography

Everything seems different in the still of winter, the light is different, it’s cold, things crisp up and get frosty.  I love heading out and capturing those differences.  The fog by the river in the morning or the leaves, white with frost.  I must admit, My Canada is beautiful in winter.

I’m inviting Matt and Caro from Passport and a Toothbrush, Cristina from The Travolution and Katie and Geoff from Wandertooth to share what they love about Canada in winter.