Your first Canadian winter

Dress in three layers

• Base layer: thin thermal top and leggings that keep moisture away from your skin. Avoid cotton, which stays wet.
• Middle layer: a fleece or wool sweater to hold warmth.
• Outer layer: a windproof, waterproof coat that covers your hips. A hood helps a lot.
• Layers let you take one off indoors, where buildings are warm.

What's worth buying

• Insulated, waterproof boots with good grip. Wet, cold feet ruin a winter day, and sidewalks get icy.
• A warm hat that covers your ears, a scarf or neck warmer, and insulated gloves or mittens (mittens are warmer).
• Wool socks, two or three pairs.
• If you drive: winter tires, an ice scraper and a snow brush. Quebec requires winter tires by law from December 1 to March 15.

What you can skip or buy cheaply

• Expensive designer parkas: a mid-priced coat with layers underneath is enough for most cities.
• Buy children's winter gear secondhand. They outgrow it every year.
• Thrift stores and online marketplaces sell good coats and boots for much less, especially in the fall.
• Ask your settlement agency about free winter clothing programs. Many communities run coat drives.

Understand wind chill

• Weather forecasts show a temperature and a wind chill, which is how cold it feels on your skin.
• Environment Canada warns that frostbite risk rises quickly when the wind chill is below -27.
• On very cold days, cover exposed skin and limit time outside. Watch for white or numb patches on fingers, ears and nose.
• Check the forecast on the Government of Canada weather site or app each morning.

Stay well in the dark months

Days are short from November to February. Go outside in daylight when you can, stay active, and keep in touch with friends and family. Feeling low in winter is common. If it lasts, talk to a doctor, or call or text 988 if you are in crisis.