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

Winter is a great time to visit Montreal. Whether you’re visiting for the abundance of winter activities, for one of the many Montreal 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. 

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.

Although I’m not used to the cold, I have figured out how to dress to survive winters in Montreal.  

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!

Understanding Winter In Montreal

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!  With that in mind, there are huge variations in the average temperature. If you’re planning a trip to Montreal in the winter, look at the average temperature for the month you’re planning on visiting.  

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.

The Average Temperature In Winter In Montreal

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

Outside of those months, it’s typically much more mild and you can get away with wearing lighter clothing. If you’re travelling in January or February though, you’re going to want to dress your warmest.  

Heads up, there are some weekends in mid January and February where we don’t even leave the house because it’s so cold… or because the car won’t start. 

Pay More Attention To The “Feels Like”

Those average 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 you out too much.

Some days it can be -15°C (5°F) but feel like -25°C (-13°F)… that’s a 10° difference 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), so I’d need to go from wearing minimal layers to really bundling up.  

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

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

How To Dress For Winter In Montreal?

There are a two main rules I dress by for surviving winter in Montreal: wear layers and choose thin but warm fabrics!

Wearing Layers In Montreal In Winter!!

I cannot stress the importance of wearing layers enough! Depending on how cold it is, I always have three, but sometimes even four layers of clothing.  

It follows the basic rule: 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, than not dress warm enough and being too cold.  

My three layers will typically be a jacket, sweater, and a T-shirt (or long sleeves). On the really cold days I’ll add another thermal layer underneath my top, like a silk tank top (see on Amazon.ca).  It isn’t just about layering, it’s about wearing the right fabrics and materials…

Winter Clothes Montreal All About Wearing Good Fabrics To Stay Warm

You can wear three or four layers but if they’re all made from cotton, you’ll have a few issues. Cotton is not known to be a warm or lightweight fabric. If you wear a big cotton sweater, it’s bulky under your jacket (and not to mention it’s big to pack… see my tips for packing).   

You need to leave some breathing room between you and your jacket (but not too much!) to trap in the warmth. Plus, you need to leave room to move your arms and body. If your sweater and jacket are too tight, you’re going to end up freezing. That’s why it’s all about packing quality layers! Take a look at the materials your clothes are made from. 

You’ll want to keep an eye out for silk, wool, cashmere, and polar fleece.

My polar fleece of choice is from Decathlon! I love the merino wool and cashmere sweaters from Banana Republic. They have crew necks, turtlenecks, and V-necks to choose from! This will make a huge difference in your warmth, but also packing space! Some of the warmest fabrics are actually the lightest and smallest to wear and pack. 

They also let you add layers without suffocating and unable to move (as a cotton sweater would).  If I need a bit more warmth, my favourite to add is a really thin thermal silk tank top underneath everything. This will hug my body  and keep me warm, but won’t add any much bulk – you’ll barely even notice that you’re wearing an extra layer!

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 ticks 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 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). How do I do it? I LAYER. 

The length is also such a key factor when trying to stay warm, although it does restrict your movement a bit more. In high school it was the trend to not only to wear the shortest jacket possible, but also to not zip it up… that’s a bad idea, don’t do that! 

If you’re hanging around for a bit, you can invest in a jacket that goes down to your calves or even feet for those really cold days, like the North Face Unisex Lhotse Duster, it’s a beast jacket! But I don’t even own a jacket that long, I have another hack to keep my legs warm!) 

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. 

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

You can’t travel to Montreal in winter without a good pair of 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 boots based on the temperature and snowfall.  

If you’re in Montreal closer to the beginning or the end of the season (so November or March), winterized Dr. Martens or winterized Blundstones will suffice.  I have the winterized Dr. Martens and can wear them for a good chunk of the winter. I also have Classic Blundstones and recently winterized them (waterproofed and added a wool insole). (Read my full Blundstone review for travel and how to winterize them). 

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 you warm and keeping snow out of your boots. Ugg, Pajar, and Sorel (shop U.S or shop Canada) are all amazing brands to invest in some quality winter boots. (I don’t mean the Ugg slippers, I’m talking the Adirondack series!). These brands make boots for both men and women.

Accessories To Pack For Winter In Montreal

Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! 

I’m not talking about packing jewellery or dainty scarves here. 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.

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

A hat is important for keeping in the 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, (one that won’t lift away around your ear lobes). 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 either wear a headband underneath my hat or earmuffs on top. This way my ears stay nice and toasty (and remember, I can always take off but I can’t add!). 

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

A scarf has to fit underneath your jacket, so again, you don’t want something bulky that makes you uncomfortable. You may think that the larger the better for warmth, but that isn’t the case. So stay away from the blanket scarves, I repeat STAY AWAY FROM BLANKET SCARVES! They may keep you warm and cozy but they’re HUGE.  

For thin but warm scarves you’ll want to look for cashmere, wool, silk, or even polar fleece. 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) stay away! This will not 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.

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

Gloves vs. mittens? Which is better for Montreal winters? 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.  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!  If you’re planning on doing any winter activity in Montreal, wear ski mittens. These are waterproof, windproof, and will keep your hands warm. If you’re just walking around in the city, you’ll probably be fine with some good gloves.

Nowadays you can even buy a lot of them with touch screen materials so you don’t have to take them off if you need to use your phone. Although, my personal favourite is the half and half (convertible mittens).

First it’s a fingerless glove, but there’s a cover to put over and turn them into mittens. These are far from being trendy though. I love them because my fingers are separate but can be together if I need to warm up. It also lets me cool down my hands quickly without taking off my whole glove.

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. 

Here’s what I wear to keep my legs warm during winter. You will want to leave your leggings at home for winters in Montreal, well, unless they’re fleece lined!

If you want to stay warm during winter in Montreal, my go-to winter pants are…. corduroys!  Now most people will probably think ew, what an old style…. But, if you want to stay warm, then get yourself some 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! I get mine at Simons!

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

To top it all off, wear leg warmers. You won’t regret this purchase! It’s like wearing a second pair of pants, without actually wearing a second pair of pants! These keep me SO warm whether I’m going for a walk or standing outside waiting for the bus. I honestly could not bear Montreal winters without these. 

Another option is to pack thin long johns. You can wear these underneath your pants (they just won’t work with skin tight jeans or leggings). On the positive side, no one will see them.

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. For example I wear them on my way to work to stay warm, then take them off when I arrive at the office. 

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

If you’re planning on staying in the city, then no. If, however, your plan is to do some outdoor winter activities, snow pants may be a good investment. You can get away without wearing snow pants for skating, but if you’re going skiing or tubing, snow pants are advised.  

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. I repeat! They have no warmth! So if you buy these, make sure you buy some long johns to wear as a thermal layer underneath.

Extras To Keep You Warm & Safe

Depending on what you’re doing in  Montreal, you may want to get a few extra items. First, 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. My mother swears by these! 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 love wearing slippers at home and there’s no reason you can’t bring some with you to Montreal. I have slipper socks that travel with me wherever I go. They take up zero room in my suitcase and keep my feet warm in the hotel (perfect to cozy up in Montreal winters!).

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 here!

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. This is when the STM (our public transport system) stays open ALL NIGHT LONG. But, it’s so much more than that. It’s a part of a larger festival, Montreal en Lumiere. Nuit Blanche is usually the last weekend in February/ first weekend of March. But 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. It’s run by the same people who put on Picnik Electronik in the summer. Over the course of two months, different DJ’s are invitied to come perform every single weekend. Did I mention, it’s all outside!? You have to buy tickets well in advance if you’re interested! 

And finally Parc Jean-Drapeau hosts La Fêtes Des Neiges. It’s usually at the beginning of January (and lasts for four weekends). There is a small cost to enter the festival, but they will have some events for free. This is a perfect winter event for kids to as well. They have performers, ice sculpting, and even more winter activities to enjoy!

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, up North 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.

Winter Essentials To Pack For Montreal In Winter

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

Shop My Montreal Winter Essentials on Amazon

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.

Related Travel Guides

• Top 10 Montreal Winter Festivals
• How To Pack Your Suitcase Like A Pro
• The Full Guide To Ottawa In Winter: Is The Cold Worth It?
• Quebec City In Winter: 11 Unspoken Realities To Know

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Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API