Canada in November: Being Prepared?

[3113]

I'll be making a short trip to Calgary in early November. Understand, the coldest it gets in my part of the globe is maybe 40F. I understand that it gets down to about 20F in early November in Calgary.

What would those in the know recommend? Type of coat to bring? Boots? Scarves? Hats? Ski-mask? Long-underwear? I hear it's dry there. Is it likely to snow or rain? I won't be staying long, and I don't want to haul a lot of stuff with me, but I'd like to be prepared.

What's a must have assuming that I actually want to tour the city rather than stay locked away in the hotel? And does anyone know this city and can offer some insight into it?

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

Just bring running shoes to sprint from car to indoors and vice versa. I'm not an expert on that locale specifically, but in general at these latitudes (and those altitudes and no warm ocean surrounding) you could have anything from 50 degrees and sun to 31 and freezing rain to 0 f. Seriously.

 

[maggot420]

I'll be making a short trip to Calgary in early November. Understand, the coldest it gets in my part of the globe is maybe 40F. I understand that it gets down to about 20F in early November in Calgary.

What would those in the know recommend? Type of coat to bring? Boots? Scarves? Hats? Ski-mask? Long-underwear? I hear it's dry there. Is it likely to snow or rain? I won't be staying long, and I don't want to haul a lot of stuff with me, but I'd like to be prepared.

What's a must have assuming that I actually want to tour the city rather than stay locked away in the hotel? And does anyone know this city and can offer some insight into it?

Calgary shouldnt be too cold in November but there could be alot of snow...depending on the weather.
You are prolly looking at temperatures around 5c - 10c (40f - 50f) but it could go as low as -10c (14f). There shouldnt be too much snow yet but then again you never know and they could get dumped on.

But you don't want to hang around there too much if you can avoid it. Not when Banff is an 1 1/2hr away. Banff is a small town in the middle of a national park, in the mountains. Its an amazing place to go skiing or snowboarding. Actually no matter what you want to do, its a pretty amazing place. The biggest danger is never wanting to leave it.
As for what to wear, you should be prepared and if you're not used to the cold, think in layers of clothing. The more the better. And you can always peel off the layers as needed (my favourite part). The more layers you have the less you have to worry about a good coat. And if you have no layers you should have a good coat. Although it shouldnt be too cold. A toque is never a bad idea because it keeps your ears protected and thats important. Scarf is also handy especially if you dont have a toque. You should have good boots but again it depends on what youre doing.
You could conceivably visit the museums, the theatres and such while taking cabs the whole time youre there and never get out of your high heels.

I'm sure this doesnt help you a whole lot but thats what i do...

 

[Liar]

If you're worried about the cold: extra socks. So you can put on two pairs at the same time. First thing that gets bitchin' uncomfortable in freezing weather are toes.

 

[wafflemtl]

Check the weather before leaving http://www.meteomedia.com/weather/caab0049
nobody can predict the weather this fare ahead and all what Maggot said, especially the "think in layers of clothing" and god shoes. That what I tell to all the people that come to see me and it usually works (except when it's -40c )

Have a good trip !

 

[Lisa Denton]

I'll be making a short trip to Calgary in early November. Understand, the coldest it gets in my part of the globe is maybe 40F. I understand that it gets down to about 20F in early November in Calgary.

What would those in the know recommend?

Being from texas I'm in the know, cause we hardly ever get that cold, sometimes its 60 or 70 on christmas and new years.

Look through your underwear carefully, then wear them all. Make sure to wear at least 4 pairs of socks at all times, on your feet. But have a extra pair to put on your hands if your gloves aren't enough. Ski-masks are needed for that quick dash into a 7-11 or other convenience store.

I think frostbite can set in at 20F so if anything starts turning blue ...... panic.

And remember, in canada, never drink the water or eat a moose.

 

[wafflemtl]

Being from texas I'm in the know, cause we hardly ever get that cold, sometimes its 60 or 70 on christmas and new years.

Look through your underwear carefully, then wear them all. Make sure to wear at least 4 pairs of socks at all times, on your feet. But have a extra pair to put on your hands if your gloves aren't enough. Ski-masks are needed for that quick dash into a 7-11 or other convenience store.

I think frostbite can set in at 20F so if anything starts turning blue ...... panic.

And remember, in canada, never drink the water or eat a moose.

 

[rgraham666]

Hmm. If you're not going to be there long, I believe this will be a good list of stuff to take.

A warm coat, sweaters, a good pair of waterproof, warm boots. Waterproof is important. If your feet get wet they'll get cold a lot quicker. A pair of well insulated gloves. And something warm for your head. Make sure it covers as much as possible including the ears. A lot of heat can be lost through the ears.

Last time I was in Calgary there was not a lot to do downtown. People only went there to work and left at quitting time. That was almost twenty years ago though so things might have changed.

Don't discuss politics. Alberta is Canada's equivalent of Texas. Do not mention that you know anybody from the east end of the country. Especially Toronto. Toronto is Canada's New York equivalent. Regarded as being full of a bunch of effete intellectuals.

Have fun.

 

[cloudy]

Eat some poutine while you're there.

 

[wafflemtl]

Eat some poutine while you're there.

oh YES !

But chose carefully they are not all good.

 

[cloudy]

oh YES !

But chose carefully they are not all good.

I love good poutine, and you can't get it here, damn it.

 

[wafflemtl]

I love good poutine, and you can't get it here, damn it.

Start an import business

 

[cloudy]

Start an import business

It'd probably do well...southerners love cheese and gravy.

 

[wafflemtl]

It'd probably do well...southerners love cheese and gravy.

When you say "southerners" do you mean like hot weather ? Cause I find poutine better when it's cold ... you know, after cross country skiing or "raquettes"...

ETA : If you have cheese and gravy you can make your own poutine !

 

[cloudy]

When you say "southerners" do you mean like hot weather ? Cause I find poutine better when it's cold ... you know, after cross country skiing or "raquettes"...

ETA : If you have cheese and gravy you can make your own poutine !

I'm in Alabama right now, but I lived in Ontario for a bit.

 

[wafflemtl]

I'm in Alabama right now, but I lived in Ontario for a bit.

*** look it up on an USA map ***

Ok ! So you will need a good fridge for that FRESH cheese you are going to import

Nobody underline enough the importance of FRESH chip cheese in the poutine

 

[Safe_Bet]

[...]Don't discuss politics. Alberta is Canada's equivalent of Texas. Do not mention that you know anybody from the east end of the country. Especially Toronto. Toronto is Canada's New York equivalent. Regarded as being full of a bunch of effete intellectuals.

Have fun.

Rob's right. Memorize the words to this song and sing it if you ever get in trouble in Calgary - they will love you!.

 

[rgraham666]

Rob's right. Memorize the words to this song and sing it if you ever get in trouble in Calgary - they will love you!.

Love The Arrogant Worms.

 

[wafflemtl]

Rob's right. Memorize the words to this song and sing it if you ever get in trouble in Calgary - they will love you!.

PMSL

 

[champagne1982]

Doesn't anybody google anymore? World Guide - Calgary. Take layers, fleece inner, gortex outer; wear gloves and ear muffs. It's a city, not like being out in the wilds, there are buildings you can warm up in, malls, libraries, theatres, restaurants and (gasp) buses, trains and cabs to do the mass transit thing. Goodness, over a million and a half people live in Calgary, they don't turn into icicles, neither will anyone visiting.

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

Doesn't anybody google anymore? World Guide - Calgary. Take layers, fleece inner, gortex outer; wear gloves and ear muffs. It's a city, not like being out in the wilds, there are buildings you can warm up in, malls, libraries, theatres, restaurants and (gasp) buses, trains and cabs to do the mass transit thing. Goodness, over a million and a half people live in Calgary, they don't turn into icicles, neither will anyone visiting.

Precisely. But that can be $500+ worth of gear for a souther to acquire!

 

[3113]

Poutine (Quebec French pronunciation putsɪn (help·info)) is a dish consisting of French fries topped with fresh cheese curds, covered with brown gravy

Okay, now you're making me nervous. Am I going to be glad that my trip to this place is going to be short?

 

[Safe_Bet]

Okay, now you're making me nervous. Am I going to be glad that my trip to this place is going to be short?

No kidding! You're talking about people who eat french fries covered in cottage cheese and gravy? WTF???

BTW, you need to practice saying "ooot an aboot" before you go. Trust me.

 

[wafflemtl]

Precisely. But that can be $500+ worth of gear for a souther to acquire!

That's why we talk about layers. You need something to cut the wind and layer underneath. In November, if you put a t-shirt, a shirt and a polar or sweat or something in wool underneath a wind breaker, you will be good. And if the weather warm up during the day, well take a layer off.
And for that you need a backpack when you go around to put your thinks in it.

As Rob said shoes that stay dry if you want to walk even in town.

And don't worry, if you need something you'll buy it there, it will be better and cheaper.

And you never know with global warming around perhaps you'll need your bathing suit

 

[wafflemtl]

No kidding! You're talking about people who eat french fries covered in cottage cheese and gravy? WTF???

BTW, you need to practice saying "ooot an aboot" before you go. Trust me.

cottage cheese

No it fresh bit of cheddar cheese also call "Fromage en crotte" or "Fromage Squish squish" (Squish Squish Cheese) because when you eat it, it makes a squish sound against your teeth ... kind of like .... hummm ... rubber