How to Survive a Toronto Winter

February is upon us and with it, downtown Toronto completes its yearly transition into a wind tunnel experiment.

It’s no secret that Toronto is cold, and this year’s winter has been particularly cold with windchill temperatures reaching nearly -30 degrees Celsius (external link, opens in new window) . Seriously, I found myself sending screenshots of the weather forecast here to my friends in notoriously colder areas of Canada. 

But fear not, there are ways you can better prepare yourself for the cold.

It’s important that you check the weather forecast everyday before you leave your home. The weather here can be unpredictable and change up in an instant. 

Depending on your tolerance for the cold, you may consider donning a parka when it reaches below a certain temperature. Winter boots are an absolute necessity as when the snow isn’t ankle-deep, the ground is covered in a layer of ice and slush. However, even with winter boots, it’s important that you tread carefully as sidewalks can go unsalted. 

The great thing about being in the city is that there is no shortage of clothing stores, and options for all types of budgets.

What if I told you that there was a way for commuters to get from Union Station to our campus without ever stepping foot outside? 

Enter Toronto’s underground city, the PATH (external link, opens in new window) , one of the best kept local secrets. A great place to keep warm while walking to your destination, the PATH has various underground routes to different buildings in the heart of downtown Toronto.

Downtown Toronto has its fair share of coffee shops and thankfully, all of them are serving up delicious warm beverages to help you stay warm from the inside out. My go-to drink is the Parisian Mist from the Balzac’s (external link, opens in new window)  right here on campus. 

I actually also find myself enjoying a lot more spicy foods in the winter, so I end up eating a lot of Korean and Thai dishes. One of my favourite restaurants is Si Lom Thai Bistro (external link, opens in new window) , which is located just a 10-minute walk from campus.

Now hear me out. While going outside may at first sound counterintuitive, the cold is unavoidable, so you might as well get your body used to handling it. 

Additionally, as the days get shorter and the sun retreats, we spend less time getting our much needed vitamin D. This causes our energy levels to go down and brings about the winter blues. Embrace outdoor activities like ice skating on Lake Devo. 

There are days where it’s so cold that staying indoors is inevitable, but that shouldn’t be a common occurrence.

Here's to hoping for a warm and cozy rest of the year! 

- Jeremy