Quote:
Originally Posted by EdmTrekker
edit: And if you decide on Edmonton, my home town, WELCOME TO EDMONTON. And if its Calgary, welcome to Alberta.
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 240glt
Winters in this town are depressing as hell, especially if you're from someplace like southern BC. I used to find Okanagan winters drab & grey, now when we go back over Christmas it's such a treat to be in such a mild climate. For me it's not so much the dark or the snow, but the cold. 14 years and it still bothers me, I hate it.
First & foremost plan at least a week in a nice climate. I usually like to go right around family day, as it gives you something to look forward to after New Years and if you get back in around the 3rd week of Feb at least you know spring is 5 or 6 weeks away, and you start seeing incremental improvement like slightly longer days. Costa Rica and Maui in Feb over the past number years have been godsends. I don't know how anyone can not get out of here at least once over the winter. Luckily there are lots of sun destinations out EIA.
Dress for it.. I've got good boots, several very warm jackets, multiple gloves and toques, I find layering is key. If I can keep myself warm I find I'm in a lot better state. In this town it doesn't matter what you look like, it's how warm you can stay, so get good stuff, not fashionable stuff.
If you don't have one get a command starter for your car if it sits outside. I know it's bad for the environment... blah blah. If I have to be here in the frozen wasteland I want my car warm when I get in.
Cross country ski or snow shoe. We live a few minutes from both Gold Bar park and Riverside golf course. It's quite amazing how a quick ski, even when it's super cold out can improve your mood. I love Riverside at night because it's very quiet, not too many people out and it feels like being out in the woods. Getting exercise in the winter is important for your mental well being. When the weather does pop up over the winter take advantage of it and get outside.
Create a den or cave. We renovated the basement into a super cool theatre/ games/ HIFI room, put an electric fireplace in and made it really warm & comfortable. We don't set foot in it from April to October but when winter hits, it's really nice to have a warm lair to retreat into.
|
Yea we're thinking we'll go somewhere warm sometime in February which is my preference but my wife already booked time off in January. January wasn't so bad, I was able to take my motorcycle out twice that month (the 2nd and the 26th) I was at least able to start riding my motorcycle again in mid-March. My motorcycle is motorized Vitamin D for me and not having that as well as having to shuttle my kids around to hockey all winter is hard on me. I have considered buying a CanAm Ryker 3 wheeler and outfitting it with winter tires.
I might start with snow shoes to start as cost wise it's not expensive to get into, once I factor in having to buy proper winter attire. I spend most of the winter walking 15 minutes each way between Chinatown and Stantec Tower and I found my face is what caused me the most grief.
Our house is a tiny bungalow unfortunately and 3/8th of it is occupied by my mother in law in the suite below. I am working on insulating and heating my garage so I have a bit of room to hang out and do stuff over the winter.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Albicaulis
- Cross country ski is my number one suggestion, I actually look forward to winter (at least until March hits!). Edmonton Nordic Ski Club at Gold Bar Park has great groomed trails and they are lit at night. Victoria Park also has great beginner (flat) trails with a warming house that (usually) has hot chocolate in it.
- Great skating places: the Victoria Park skating rink (lit and night and great warm up/change facilities), the "freezway" that's right next to it. Another gem that is not well known is Rundle park with skating trails all through it in the winter.
- Zero indoor projects/renovations during the summer, save them all for the winter.
- Jasper/Banff in the winter has much more agreeable hotel prices too.
Like the Scandinavians say, there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. Seriously though, if I spent my Edmonton winters wearing sneakers, no long johns and a cheap ass coat, I would be miserable.
I actually find winters near enjoyable due to how sunny it is. When I visit family in the UK in the winter, I find it more depressing (same amount of darkness + a never ending, low-lying blanket of thick clouds).
|
I never made it to Rundle ice way but I should've. Outdoor hockey was great until it got so cold in February that they closed the rinks. I do like the sun here. This autumn I'll head to MEC or whatever and start to get an inventory of what clothing I should buy that'll keep me warm and comfortable outside yet not sweat.
Do the cross country ski areas offer ski rentals? Would be nice to try. Hockey used to be my main sport and it still could be but my knee is buggered up half the time so I can't reliably play goalie anymore, so I need to learn how to play out.
Thanks for the suggestions. I also bought a VIP membership at FastTrack thinking I will do that in the winter too, but it is pricey so not too much.
Prev
Linear Mode
