What To Wear In Montreal In Winter [Tips From A Local]

Winter can either be a great time to visit Montreal, or a terrible time… it will all depend on how you’re dressed!

Growing up and living in Montreal my whole life, you’d think I’d be used to the cold winters by now. Well, that isn’t exactly the case, but I do think I’ve figured out how to dress to stay as warm as possible!

What to wear in Montreal in winter is all about layering, finding the proper fabrics, and accessorizing to stay warm. If you’re planning a trip to Montreal in the winter, here’s my guide for what to pack.

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

A layflat image of what to wear in Montreal in Winterp to Montreal in the winter

Understanding Winter In Montreal

Whether you’re visiting Montreal for the abundance of winter activities, for one of the many winter festivals, or just to see the city in the snow. The key to visiting Montreal in the winter is packing appropriately for the season.

Winter in Montreal is LONG! It can start as early as November and last until March. And don’t count out that surprise mid-April snowstorm!

There are huge variations in the average temperature and snowfall in the winter, and just know, it’s always feels colder than you think it’ll be.

Another Montreal winter specialty is that the days become extremely short. The sun sets super early (like close to 4:00 P.M. in December), so expect very little daylight during the winter in Montreal.

a black bike is locked up on a parking pole in Montreal. You can't see the back tire of the bike, and only half of the front tire, the rest is completely covered in a snow bank. There's is a walking path in between the snowbank. It's snowing and leaving a line of snow on the bare branches of the trees.

The Average Temperature In Winter In Montreal

November is when you start seeing the temperature reach 0°C (32°F) and the average high is 6°C (43 °F).

P.S. that doesn’t mean you can’t get a surprise 0°C in October, and definitely expect some temperatures below 0°C as well in November.

“Real” winter in Montreal is only two months, from January to February. This is when you’ll want to dress your warmest.

Outside of those months, it’s typically much more mild and you can get away with wearing lighter clothing.

	High (C/F)	Low (C/F)	Snow
November	6°C / 43°F	0°C/ 32°F	4″
December	-1°C/ 30°F	-8°C/ 18°F	12″
January	-4°C/ 25°F	-12°C/ 10°F	10.5″
February	-3°C/ 27°F	-11°C/ 12°F	11″
March	2°C/ 36°F	-6°C/ 21°F	7″

Stats from Weatherspark.com

downtown montreal while snowing cars on the road, stopped at a light. The pavement is dark grey from melting snow.

Pay More Attention To The “Feels Like”

The average monthly temperatures for winter in Montreal may not look too bad but that’s because they don’t take into account the “feels like”.

The “feels like” is WAY more important to take into consideration.

The “feels like” is exactly what it sounds like. It’s what it actually feels like outside. It takes into account the wind strength, humidity, and air temperature. In fact, knowing the actual temperature doesn’t usually help much at all.

a view of the montreal city skyline in the distance atop a mountain. There are dark bare trees lining the bottom quarter of the frame before the buildings of downtown Montreal start. There are a few rows of rooftops with snow before the tall high rise buildings start in a line in the back in the middle of the image. Above them it's just white sky. The white of falling snow casts a white shadow on the buildings and completely covers the sky above.

Some days it can be -15°C (5°F) but feel like -25°C (-13°F)… that’s a 10°C swing that can make going outside bearable or not.

On the lesser extreme, it might make -4°C (25°F) feel like -9°C (16°F), but it can still affect what you should wear.

We’ve even seen temperatures in January and February that even feel like -35°C (-31°F), though that’s on the extreme end of things.

Fun Fact: Celsius and Fahrenheit converge at – 40. So -40 °C is -40°F!

benches completely snow covered in montreal winter There's a new fresh layer of snow on them snow, and piles of snow completely surround them. They look like they're the same height as the ground that's how much snow there is... wispy snow still falls in the background

How To Dress For Winter In Montreal?

There are a two main rules I follow to survive Montreal winter: layering, and choosing thin but warm fabrics!

Wearing Layers In Montreal In Winter!

The idea behind layering is that you can always take off but you can’t add!

So when you’re leaving for the day, it’s better to dress warmer and have to remove a layer, rather than not dress warm enough and being too cold.

Depending on how cold it is outside, I either either three or four layers.

My three layers will typically be a jacket, sweater, and a T-shirt (or long sleeve shirt). On the really cold days though, I’ll add another thermal layer underneath my top, like this silk tank top.

It isn’t just about layering either, it’s about wearing the right fabrics and materials…

a closeup showing winter layers of clothing: a magenta turtleneck is on the bottom, a light grey polar fleece is next, and finally a black down-filled North Face jacket is on top.

Winter Clothes Montreal All About Wearing Good Fabrics To Stay Warm

To be able to stay warm and dress in layers, you have to wear the right materials like silk, wool, cashmere, and polar fleece.

These are thin, lightweight fabrics that will still keep you warm. Due to their lightweight material, they are not only easier to pack, but more comfortable to layer and wear.

P.S. See my packing tips!

If you wear thicker fabrics, you risk being too tight under your jacket. This creates a lack of mobility and no room to trap warmth so you end up being colder.

montreal winter skating dressed appropriately in full winter gear getting ready to go out on an outdoor skating rink. A woman is sitting on a bench tying up her figure skates. She's wearing leg warmers, a long down jacket, a red scarf wrapped around her neck and chin, a mustard yellow knit hat, and her gloves sit on the bench beside her.

For the coldest days, wear a silk tank top, like this one on Amazon, as a base layer. This will hug your body and keep me warm, but won’t add any any bulk – you’ll barely even notice that you’re wearing an extra layer!

On top I wear either a merino wool or cashmere sweater, like this merino wool sweater from Amazon.

And finally, I top it off with my polar fleece from Decathlon.

You might also be interested in…

My digital and printable packing guide on Etsy. Filled with packing planning prompts for your next trip!

P.S. Get an additional discount on my Etsy shop with my code ATRLOVE!

a close up of the tags for warm fabrics a purple sweater has a tag that says 100% Merino wool. A grey sweater is below with a tag that says silk cashmere

Outerwear: What Jacket To Wear For Winter In Montreal?

To survive a winter in Montreal, you MUST invest in a good jacket.

There are two main criteria you should look for: it should be filled with down feathers, and the length should go to around your knees.

My North Face Metropolis Insulated jacket checks both of these boxes and it’s even perfect for travel! It’s filled with down feathers that makes this jacket lightweight and easy to pack, but also incredibly warm.

It also goes down to my knees. Although it does restrict your movement a bit more, it keeps you a lot warmer than if it stopped at your hips. You can even get a jacket that goes below your knees, or all the way down to your feet for the warmest option.

a woman spreads her arms up and down as she stopped skating to pose for the picture. She has white figure skates on with leg warmers, a north face insulated jacket, gloves, a mustard yellow hat. There's a small skate path behind her with some evergreen trees that still have leaves on them and you can see some red brick homes through the trees.

It looks like a longer puffer jacket, in fact, people are shocked that I wear it all winter long (with a few exceptions for those -30°C days).

P.S. When looking for a new jacket, I also make sure it always has a good hood. This can make a huge difference with the blistering winter winds that sometimes hit Montreal winters. Make sure it stays on your head but doesn’t shield your view too much.

a man stands with his back at the camera, his hood is over his head with some faux fur lining it. Without the fur you could have thought that it was a black and white photo. The snow is blowing and creates a white hue to the background of the image. There's a large pile of the snow on the ground and the trees are lined with snow.

What To Wear In Montreal In Winter? Let’s Talk Footwear

You can’t travel to Montreal in winter without a good pair of winter boots. Please don’t be that person wearing running shoes in 10 feet of snow, trust me, it isn’t fun!

Depending on when you’re in Montreal in the winter, you can get away with wearing different weight boots based on the temperature and snowfall.

If you’re in Montreal closer to the beginning or the end of the season (November or March), winterized Dr. Martens or winterized Blundstones will suffice.

a top down view of blundstones in the winter. Two feet in blundstones are stepping on snow

P.S. I actually have Classic Blundstones that I winterized by spraying with a waterproof spray, and adding a sherpa insole.

But if you find yourself in Montreal in the dead of winter, I recommend investing in a warmer and taller winter boot. These are key to keeping your feet warm and keeping snow out of your boots.

There are three brands I trust for my quality winter boots, Ugg, Pajar, and Sorel.

P.S. when I mention Ugg, it’s not the classic style series, it’s their Adirondack series.

a top down view of the toes of ugg adirondack boots stepping on snow.

Accessories To Pack For Winter In Montreal

Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!

I’m not talking about packing jewellery or dainty scarves, you need to wear appropriate winter accessories to stay warm.

Just like dressing in layers, winter accessories keep you warm and can also be easily removed if you need to cool down.

Winter accessories cover everything from hats, gloves, and scarves but also ear muffs, headbands and neck warmers.

a woman pretends to be cold standing outside in Montreal winters. She has her arms wrapped around herself. She's wearing blundstone boots, corduroys, leg warmers, gloves, a scarf and a hat, in an insulated North Face jacket. Behind her is a wood pergola, meant to be a place to sit in the summer to watch the lachine canal and the lighthouse far out in the distance. Now the canal is frozen over with ice and snow

What To Pack For Winter In Montreal: The Proper Hat (& More!)

A hat is important to keep your ears warm, but it also keeps in your body heat. You know, because heat escapes from your head!

For me though, it’s all about keeping my ears as warm as possible. My ears are the first to get cold and if I don’t warm them up quickly it will lead to a terrible headache.

You’ll want to look for a thick hat that sits close to your ears. But in the coldest months of winter, and if I’m outside for a long time, a hat alone is actually not enough.

I find the best is to wear a headband, or earmuffs either underneath or above my hat for added warmth . This way my ears stay nice and toasty (and remember, I can always take off but I can’t add!).

close up woman blundled in scarf and hat you can only see her eyes snow blurred background Her hat his grey to match the grey scarf wrapped around her face. The background is a winter wonderland in a blizzard of snow.

Wear A Scarf To Survive Montreal Winters

A scarf is quite a simple addition but can be life changing. Keeping your neck warm is key to surviving Montreal winter.

This is another case where thinner, good quality (warm) fabrics are better than something that’s thick and maybe more stylish.

For me, the warmest scarves are those that fit underneath my jacket and doesn’t add too much bulk.

For thin but warm scarves you’ll want to look for the same fabrics as before: cashmere, wool, silk, or even polar fleece.

close up north face puffer jacket and plaid blue and green scarf. You can see the end of her braid, but not much else in the background

Keep in mind that your scarf will most likely be up against your bare skin as well. If it feels a bit scratchy to the touch (which can be the case with wool) this won’t be comfortable underneath your jacket.

If you still find scarves too bulky, or you have a kid, I recommend getting a neck warmer instead. These are like tubes that you put over your head and pull down to rest around your neck to keep it warm. These are also ideal if you’re planning on going skiing. You never want to ski with a scarf in case it gets caught in something.

P.S. If it gets too cold outside, head inside to one of the many indoor activities in Montreal instead!

a stone windmill with a red door and covered windows in the middle of a snow field. There's a wood fence around it, that still looks like a tree

What To Pack For Winter In Montreal: Mittens, Gloves, Or Both?

Gloves vs. mittens? Which is better to pack for winter in Montreal? There isn’t really a right answer, it’s more up to personal preference.

Gloves separate your fingers. These are more convenient when you need to use your fingers (i.e. use your phone, or camera). BUT! Because your fingers are separated, gloves are not as warm as mittens.

If it’s really cold outside, I find my fingers will get cold after a few minutes in gloves.

thumbs up with grey winter gloves and a snowy scene in the background

Mittens, on the other hand, keep all your fingers together except for your thumb. This keeps them A LOT warmer than in gloves.

The downside is that you have less movement capability with your fingers, for obvious reasons!

So my go-to are convertible mittens, like these on Amazon. You get the warmth of gloves, but the usability of mittens. They also let me cool down my hands quickly without taking off my whole glove (and risk losing them!).

a woman stands on the corner of the phtoo, in a winter jacket, an open convertible mittens to use her camera that she's holding to take a picture of something across the street.

What About Keeping Your Legs Warm in Montreal Winters

Now that your head, body, and hands are covered (literally!), what about keeping your legs warm in Montreal Winters?

As I mentioned, you can get a jacket that goes all the way down to your feet… but I find that’s a bit excessive.

If you want to stay warm during winter in Montreal, my go-to winter pants are corduroys.

Now I know they’re not the most fashionable style, but they are warm!

Simons does sell some stylish corduroys, and it’s my go-to shop for cords. You can find them in the same styles as you would jeans so they’re just as cute, and you can hardly tell they’re corduroy!

a woman stands up tall with her hands on her hips presenting her outfit. She's standing on a cinder block in the middle of a snow field park with the icy waters behind her. She's wearing blundstone boots, leg warmers, a long insulated black puffer acket, gloves, a plaid scarf, and a mustard yellow hat

Step It Up! Wear Leg Warmers (or Long Johns)!

To top it all off for even more warmth, I also wear leg warmers, like these on Amazon.

These are perfect if you don’t have a jacket that goes all the way down to your feet, now you’re shins and calves will stay warm.

Another option is to pack thin long johns, like these, to wear under your pants so no one will know!.

What I love about leg warmers though over long johns is that I can roll them down, pull them up, or completely take them off if I need to.

look from above of two sets of legs, a man and a woman wearing winter boots. The woman is wearing brown classic Blundstones with socks pulled up. There's a light layer of snow on the ground, and you can see footprints that have walked by on it already. — *Ready For Montreal Winter! Corduroy pants, wool socks, and winterized Blundstones*

Do You Have To Pack Snow Pants For Winters In Montreal?

If you’re planning on staying in the city, then you don’t need snow pants.

If, however, your plan is to do some outdoor winter activities, like skiing, then snow pants may be a good thing to pack.

Snow pants can be quite bulky to pack as well, but an alternative is to buy waterproof rain pants. These will not keep you warm, though they will help keep you dry.

snowing in Montreal's plateau over the iconic painted ladies as they're called. They're attached three story stone homes with a triangle tower roof. They get their name from the accent colour paint on their facade, and each one is a different colour. From across the street, you can see the red and the blue house and the start of the purple one before the image cuts off. A lamp post is across from them, a car is driving by and a couple walks about to turn the corner to walk in front of them.

Extras To Keep You Warm & Safe

Depending on what you’re doing in Montreal, you may want to get a few extra items to stay warm outside.

If you’re planning on either standing outside for a few hours, or doing any winter outdoor activity get yourself some Hot Hands. These are little packets that you can add to your gloves or boots to keep your hands and feet warm.

If your feet tend to get cold in boots, I also recommend getting some thin wool socks.

If you’re doing a lot of walking, on the other hand, you may want to invest in crampons. They easily attach onto your boots and act like “claws”, adding extra traction to prevent you from falling on ice (black ice is a thing in Montreal, you can’t see it on the sidewalks!). These are also a good idea to get if you want to do a bit of winter hiking.

It’s also important to stay warm and cozy inside. I have slipper socks that take up zero room in my suitcase and keep my feet warm in every hotel (perfect to cozy up in Montreal winters!).

You can't see much in this photo but it's a classic winter scene in Montreal plateau. It's a park but the paths are completely covered in snow, the trees are bare except for some snow that sits on the branches. There's the top of a fountain in the middle of the park, the rest is covered in snow. Beyond the trees in the distance you can see some homes along the street.

What To Do In Winter In Montreal

What you wear in Montreal in winter ultimately depends on when you’re in the city, and what you’re doing.

If you’re touring the city and staying indoors, you can get away with wearing a lot less than if you’re planning on staying outside for several hours at a time (ex. enjoying Montreal festivals, skating, skiing…etc.).

Montreal actually has a lot of indoor activities to explore, check out my top 30 suggestions !

The Best Montreal Winter Festivals

Now that you’re properly dressed, you can enjoy some of THE BEST Montreal winter festivals!

My all-time favourite is Nuit Blanche, when the STM (Montreal’s public transport system) stays open ALL NIGHT LONG.

But it’s actually a part of a larger festival, Montreal en Lumiere. Nuit Blanche is usually the last weekend in February/ first weekend of March. And even though it takes place the first weekend of March we’ve had some of the coldest weather for Nuit Blanche.

Igloofest is another popular Montreal winter festival. Over the course of two months, different DJ’s are invited to perform every weekend. Did I mention, it’s all outside… so be sure to dress properly!

Related:The Best Winter Festivals in Montreal

nighttime in Montreal old port but it's not quiet at all. It's hopping on Nuit Blanche with the lights on over a skating rink with people skating by, the ferris wheel behind it is lit up to a neon purple. and the lights of the city brighten the sky behind it. — *Nuit Blanche in Montreal’s Old Port*

Montreal Winter Activities To Enjoy

There’s no shortage of classic winter activities to enjoy in and around Montreal. First, there are tons of skating rinks (free and paid), like in the Old Port or Beaver Lake!

If you want to venture outside the city, you can go skiing (downhill and cross-country), snow-shoeing, tubing, and even dog sledding!

My favourite all-around park is La Parc Nature Les Forestiers-de-Saint-Lazare. This has it all! You can go skiing, snow shoeing, skating, AND even tubing! You can also rent equipment here if you need.

Montreal Organized Winter Tours

Explore the best of Montreal in the winter with organized tours from Viator!

Head out on a Christmas walking tour →

Experience biking in Montreal in the winter in Mount Royal →

See more Montreal tours on Viator.

Ski hill near montreal getting close to night time. People are walking by in full snow pant and winter jacket attire, skis are place in the racks. You can see the base of the hill, with a chair lift going up and trees separate two runs for skiers and snowboarders to use. The sky is completely overcast, but the lights on the ski runs have already turned on.

Winter Essentials To Pack For Montreal In Winter

Winter Clothing To Pack

Down Jacket
Thermal Layer: Polar Fleece, Cashmere, or Wool Sweater
Optional Thermal Layer: Silk Tank Top
Corduroy or Fleece Lined Pants
Long Johns or Leg Warmers
Winter Boots

Winter Accessories To Pack

Hat
Optional: Ear Muffs or Headband
Scarf or Neck Warmer
Gloves or Mittens
Optional: Hot Hands
Optional: Wool Socks
Optional: Crampons
Optional: Slipper Socks

Don’t forget a thing when packing for winter in Montreal, use my packing planner and checklist on Etsy.

Need help packing all these winter essentials? Check out my guide for packing tips!

Shop My Montreal Winter Essentials on Amazon

THE NORTH FACE Metropolis Parka III TNF Black MD

Amazon Essentials Women’s Full-Zip Polar Fleece…

Brook + Bay Ear Warmer Fleece and Knit Headband…

C.C Thick Cable Knit Faux Fuzzy Fur Pom Fleece…

OMECHY Winter Knitted Fingerless Wool Gloves…

CALVIN & OLIVIA Mens Winter Warm Cuffed Beanie…

TeeHee 80s Vintage Comfortable Ribbed Cable Knit…

HotHands Value Packs: Bonus

christmas market in the streets of downtown Montreal. There's a giant christmas tree on the right of the image, with freshly fallen snow. Then people walk along the street, stopping at the line of pop up shacks selling their goods for christmas. Behind the small homes are the sky rises of downtown, you can't even see the top of them.

P.S. Need A Place To Stay In Montreal? Hotel Recommendations

I love going on staycations at Hotel Nelligan in the Old Port of Montreal. It’s in a great location, walking distance to everywhere you need to be. When you stay there you can’t miss out on their unique roof top terrace above the hotel. See room rates & availability.

I’ve also stayed at the newly built Homewood Suites in Montreal Midtown (west of the city) and I’d highly recommend it if you’re looking for a hotel that isn’t in the city centre. But they also have a branch downtown as well. It has a little kitchenette in every room and breakfast is included. Even though it isn’t downtown, you aren’t far from it. It’s walking distance to the Namur metro station, which will get you downtown in less than 20 minutes. See room rates & availability.

Here are some other alternatives I’ve heard about if you’re looking to stay in Downtown Montreal;

If you’re looking to stay in the heart of Downtown Montreal check out Auberge Les Bons Matins. This is a one of a kind stay perfect for a romantic getaway in Montreal. In this charming inn in Montreal, you’ll get a taste of local life. See room rates & availability.

You can also stay Le Square Phillips Hôtel & Suites if an auberge isn’t your style. Le Square Phillips Hôtel & Suites is in a supreme location in between the orange and the green metro line that get you anywhere else in the city. Breakfast is also included with your stay! See room rates & availability

For more accommodation options in Montreal, see Booking.com.

Winter Bucket List (Printable)

Don’t let the winter cold get to you this year, get out and try new winter experiences with my downloadable Winter Bucket List.

I’ve put together a list of fun winter activities perfect to stay busy this winter. Plus if there’s anything extra you think of, there are two blank winter checklists for you to fill out with your own ideas!

See it on Etsy >>

Montreal winter blizzard with colorful painted homes

Pinnable image: Montreal winters tips from a local to stay warm what to wear and pack

Last update on 2024-11-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Katy

Saturday 13th of March 2021

These are some great tips! I've never been to Montreal before but it's definitely on my bucket list. I have no clue what to wear so this is super helpful.

Meghan

Sunday 14th of March 2021

Dressing for Montreal is definitely a challenge with our crazy weather! I swear we had clear skies, rain, and snow all in the span of a few hours! But nevertheless worth a visit just be prepared!

Alanna Koritzke

As a Los Angeles girl I am totally clueless as to what to wear in a real winter. This is so helpful!

Can't get more real than Montreal winter :P

Neha

What a great and detailed guide. This is so helpful. I remember living in Philly for couple of years and facing some cold winters, although nothing compared to Montreal. So true, I loved my North Face jacket. It kept me warm and the best part is it is so light.

I cannot stress how much I LOVE my North face! I feel like Philly winters are a breeze compared to Montreal, I'd love to visit one day! Hopefully you'll be more prepared in MTL!

Lisa

As someone who literally freezes when the wind blows, I love this informative post on clothing suggestions in the wintertime, especially from a local!

The wind is the legit the silent killer! It can be the nicest, sunniest day outside but when the cold wind blows, it can chill you down to your bones if you aren't dressed properly!

Kelly

Great post. So important to dress warmly and pay attention to what the temp actually feels like. Would love to go back to Montreal.

Yes without checking the the feels like you might as well not even check the weather! It can be SO different! Now you're prepared for when you make it back here!