Surviving Alberta’s Winter Season
By Victoria Gonzalez
Alberta is known for its winter season, both for its beauty and its intensity. We have snow on Christmas, a love of winter sports and a Tim Hortons on every block for a hot drink. Whether you are used to -40 degree weather, or this is your very first Canadian winter season, here is a simple guide for surviving the inevitable cold. Coffee. As the temperature drops, you’re sure to see everybody walking around with their Tim Hortons cup. Regardless of your drink preference grab a coffee, hot chocolate or tea! If you have the time to hit a drive-thru before class you definitely should, it makes the walk to campus a lot easier! Layers. This tip is straightforward but extremely important. In order to stay warm in sub-zero temperatures, wearing a bunch of layers is a must! This means sturdy boots, a big winter coat, mitts, toques, scarves, all of it. As most of us know, the mornings are incredibly frigid and the hottest points of our day are typically around 3-4 pm. If you have multiple layers, you can remove or add them throughout the day to be more comfortable. Driving. If this is your first winter in Alberta, driving in the snow will likely be your biggest challenge. Seeing as most of our year is winter, we often have no choice but to muster up the courage to get on the roads every single day. That being said, there are several necessities for safe driving in Canadian winters. Having adequate tires, washer fluid, a snow brush and plugging in your car are practically unnegotiable. All Canadians deal with the terrifying feeling of hitting a slick patch on the roads. The more you drive, the more manageable they become! Stay focused while driving, give yourself extra time to slow down, and never slam on your brakes! Moisturize. There’s no doubt winter is on the horizon when the skin around your nose and mouth starts to get dry. Being exposed to cold air takes a toll on our skin, so to ease this dreadful sensation, prioritize moisturizer in your daily routine! Romanticizing the Season. Alberta winters are long, brutal and not for the faint of heart. We could spend the entire season complaining and enveloped in misery, but that only makes matters worse. Think of going sledding, reading a book by the fireplace, visiting a local coffee shop, or making a snowman at Christmas and investing in fuzzy socks and apple cider packets. Romanticizing the winter season is the only way to survive it! Despite the obvious freezing temperatures and unforgiving roads, winter can be beautiful and exciting. Take this as your opportunity to watch Hallmark movies and set up your Christmas tree while overlooking the snowfall right outside your window. If this is your first Canadian winter, don’t stress! Humans are incredibly adaptable and so long as you stay safe and warm, the winter season can be absolutely breathtaking. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time in the mornings to check the weather forecast, warm up your vehicle and dress appropriately!
