Canadians visiting at Christmas

[twins_mom]

Are you packing shorts, sundresses and capris? I talked with our hotel in guest relations and she said that many Americans find it cold. I know that the weather goes to a high of 20 and a low of 15.

We're going for two weeks and want to pack appropriately. Any suggestions?

 

[jasy]

I'm from Alberta and I usually find it warmish during the day but not warm enough to wear a dress or shorts, maybe capris with a hoodie. But in the evening I usually have on a touque and then mittens.

I think the key is layers.

 

[Niebz]

Yeah, layers are good. I remember when we went in February one year we were the only people wearing shorts and t-shirts but compared to 30 below Saskatchewan we were very warm. The evenings do get chilly though, enough so to need a sweater.

 

[lwilkison]

Are you packing shorts, sundresses and capris? I talked with our hotel in guest relations and she said that many Americans find it cold. I know that the weather goes to a high of 20 and a low of 15.

We're going for two weeks and want to pack appropriately. Any suggestions?

Daytime is warm'ish but the temperature tends to cool off after sunset. Pack a sweatshirt/jacket with you.

We loved the weather when we were there last year for the first 2 weeks of December and the evening got cool but NOT cold. It even rained a few nights.

Enjoy

It is even more magical (as if that is possible) when it is decorated for Christmas time

 

[mjmcnns]

Thanks for the advice everyone. My GF and I are going first week of Dec and had the same question!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

The last several years that we have gone in December, it has been pretty chilly--day and night. The few years it rained on us, it was a cold rain (not tropical at all). By night fall it is really getting a little cold. It may not sound that cold when you read the temps (in the 40's- 50's), but when you are outside for many hours it makes a difference. Sitting on the cold concrete waiting for the fireworks to start can be very chilly. I certainly would not be wearing shorts or sundresses!

We live in Northern California (Bay Area) where it typically is colder in the winter, so I have some warmer coats I can bring. I always wear long pants (jeans) and a hoodie for the day in Dec. in Disneyland, but am happier to have a warmer jacket (Marmot Down jacket) for the evening.

 

[nottellin']

I'm from Alberta and I usually find it warmish during the day but not warm enough to wear a dress or shorts, maybe capris with a hoodie. But in the evening I usually have on a touque and then mittens.

I think the key is layers.

I agree with this! Last Christmas we found it warm during the day, but the nights were freezing.

 

[larina]

Yes, layers layers layers. Could be t-shirt or tank weather, but more likely you'll need sleeves during the day and extra warmth (light to medium coats/jackets) in the evening/at night. I'd pack a hat and gloves too, but I hate being cold in line.

 

[twins_mom]

So what's the weather like this week? In Saskatchewan we have a very mild winter, averaging -5 degrees celius. Still debating whether to pack shorts, capris and skirts.

 

[Niebz]

We're from Saskatchewan too and we just got back from 2 weeks at the land. You probably don't need shorts and capris. We wore jeans and t-shirts during the day and needed winter jackets at night. There were a few days where we felt hot in long pants but it was only for a brief few hours in the afternoon. If you're not planning a trip back to the hotel to change I'd stick with long pants.

 

[twins_mom]

winter jackets? Really? Wow! I was thinking a sprin/fall jacket with maybe a long sleeved shirt underneath for night.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

We were there in early December and it was chilly at night! Temps would get up to the high 60's F/high teens Celsius during the day, but it felt darn cold at night! I'm from Calgary (but I've lived in Seattle for the last 5 years) and the warmest my husband and I went was a fleece jacket for him and a Lululemon hoodie (I only mention the brand because Lululemon hoodies are much thicker/warmer than a regular hoodie) for me. If you have a stroller, you'll want to pack a blanket for the stroller because little ones will get cold sitting still at night. Also, we had mittens and a hat for my little guy - but he's only lived on the West Coast so he doesn't have that thick Canadian blood!

I did wear sandals and capris during the day, but I don't think I wore short sleeves at all.

Have a great trip!

 

[Niebz]

winter jackets? Really? Wow! I was thinking a sprin/fall jacket with maybe a long sleeved shirt underneath for night.

Yeah, we were actually quite shocked how cool it got at night. Being from Saskatchewan, we're used to much worse of course, but it did get cold enough that we were more comfortable in our winter coats. Some nights a bunny hug was enough, other nights we needed more. I never felt the need for gloves or a toque but we did wear scarves to feel more festive. You never know when you'll hit a cold spell so it's best to be prepared so you're not uncomfortable.

 

[lozzypop]

So what's the weather like this week? In Saskatchewan we have a very mild winter, averaging -5 degrees celius. Still debating whether to pack shorts, capris and skirts.

Only a Canadian would call -5 degree weather a "mild" winter.

I have lived on Vancouver Island almost my whole life so I am a bit of a hothouse Canadian.

We went in December one year and yes, the key is layers. You definitely need a warm coat and gloves at night.

 

[nottellin']

Double post!