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-   -   Montreal Questions (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/canada/722540-montreal-questions.html)

BiziBB Aug 13, 2007 6:04 pm

After updating my DW, she is less compelled to visit at Christmas and is keener to go in summer, so I'll be back with any questions when we have firmed up dates. :)

I remember Boston in January and imagine Montreal is similarly freezing and not great walking weather. ;)

bigguyinpasadena Aug 14, 2007 5:57 pm

My absolute favorite time to visit is late spring-last weekend of may thru mid June.
Usually a little chill in the air at night.But warm days.And the resident population is so happy to welcome spring and get outside!
Do wish you would dedicate more than a day.I often spend a week.
It really is my favorite city in NA

bigguyinpasadena Aug 14, 2007 6:00 pm


Originally Posted by Jay71 (Post 8221101)
I usually give $40 total on the set $35 taxi fare between YUL and the Fairmont QE/Downtown.

Word of caution: I kind of yucked up the cuff region of a few pairs of pants walking around Montreal in the slush and didn't have a chance to launder them during my trip. Use common sense in choosing what pants you'll be wearing for your walk.

And the snow/ice/salt ruins shoes.

Bob'sYourUncle Aug 20, 2007 8:56 am


Originally Posted by BiziBB (Post 8199437)
Is it reasonably practical or too extreme, weatherwise, to stroll around the latin (?) quarter of Montreal in early January?

It will be bitter cold. All of my visits to Montreal have been in January & February (I know, I know), and it hasn't stopped me from walking around. Just be prepared for very very cold weather. I was there in February, and with the windchill it was something ridiculous like -40C. You most definitely need to have something to cover your head.

Bob'sYourUncle Aug 20, 2007 8:59 am


Originally Posted by bigguyinpasadena (Post 8232248)
And the snow/ice/salt ruins shoes.

When I was there, everything was frozen solid. No slush in sight anywhere :D - you could easily shake it all off before stepping into a building. I guess the extreme cold has its advantages! :D

HereAndThereSC Aug 20, 2007 10:01 am

I've lived in both Boston and Montreal. I've always found Boston to be less cold in number, but colder in feeling cold because of the higher humidity.

It's the old "dry cold/humid cold" theorem. :)

JP


Originally Posted by BiziBB (Post 8225456)
After updating my DW, she is less compelled to visit at Christmas and is keener to go in summer, so I'll be back with any questions when we have firmed up dates. :)

I remember Boston in January and imagine Montreal is similarly freezing and not great walking weather. ;)


UncleDude Aug 20, 2007 10:10 am


Originally Posted by BiziBB (Post 8199437)
If I can temporarily use and abuse your thread for a moment...

Is it reasonably practical or too extreme, weatherwise, to stroll around the latin (?) quarter of Montreal in early January?

Just looking at options for our RTW stops from Dublin to Chicago.
FTers in the *A forum suggested DUB-yvr-ORD (Toronto?) but I'd love to get to Montreal for a walk/eat-around during a day or evening.

I guess it will be a shock for an Aussie, but we'd have been cold and wet in Dublin for a while so will be conditioned for cold, short days.

If it is worth it as a mileage-run style quick visit, please recommend some options for a <24hr stop.
We'd likely take a return bus, as suggested, but not stay overnight.

Many thanks!

When the Arctic Winds hit Montreal in January, you are virtually stranded in your hotel. It becomes a City of Underground Shopping and for this you need a Car. Even getting from the Hotel to a Taxi can be a challenge over the ice and through the snow banks. In January, other than Friday and Saturday evenings there are virtually no facilities open for Tourists.

The cold is nothing like Ireland, it can be another -40 compared with Dublin. For an OZ I would suggest a Night in The Meat Freezer in Coles for advance training.

You also have to consider potential flight delays for de-icing etc. even when it not snowing.

Much as I Love Montreal, this is One City to avoid in January and much of February.

BiziBB Aug 20, 2007 8:14 pm


Originally Posted by UncleDude (Post 8262550)
When the Arctic Winds hit Montreal in January, you are virtually stranded in your hotel. It becomes a City of Underground Shopping and for this you need a Car. Even getting from the Hotel to a Taxi can be a challenge over the ice and through the snow banks. In January, other than Friday and Saturday evenings there are virtually no facilities open for Tourists.

The cold is nothing like Ireland, it can be another -40 compared with Dublin. For an OZ I would suggest a Night in The Meat Freezer in Coles for advance training.

You also have to consider potential flight delays for de-icing etc. even when it not snowing.

Much as I Love Montreal, this is One City to avoid in January and much of February.

Priceless advice, UncleDude (well anticipated; you must know some Aussies and our mild weather).

Dublin in January would be miserable enough for me, so I'll try to shift the whole RTW plan to a more summery time. :)

What times or dates at either end of summer do you recommend?
We'd try to have a day and night here, maybe in early September '08.

That way we still might be able to buy the *A RTW Lite this September for the 10% Anniversary sale. :D

cja Aug 20, 2007 8:30 pm

Remember as well that it gets dark rather early during winter so make sure u make the most of the limited daytime!

BiziBB Aug 20, 2007 11:22 pm

I suppose Montreal January days may be even shorter than those in Dublin. :eek:

9.30AM-4PM?

YLU FF Aug 21, 2007 11:38 am


Originally Posted by BiziBB (Post 8266699)
I suppose Montreal January days may be even shorter than those in Dublin. :eek:

9.30AM-4PM?

No, should be longer than that. Probably 7:30-17:00, depending on whether it is early or late in January...maybe even earlier in the morning.

HereAndThereSC Aug 21, 2007 11:55 am

Montreal can get quite cold in september, but doubtful you'd ever snow.

Generally speaking, after the beginning of september, it gets chilly enough that you need a jacket (spring type, not winter jacket) whenever outside.

I wouldn't suggest going past the end of september if you get chilly easily. I would rather consider mid-august to early september.

JP


Originally Posted by BiziBB (Post 8265972)
What times or dates at either end of summer do you recommend? We'd try to have a day and night here, maybe in early September '08.


Seat13F_AC_CRJ Aug 21, 2007 3:00 pm


Originally Posted by HereAndThereSC (Post 8269526)
Montreal can get quite cold in september, but doubtful you'd ever snow.

It depends on your definition of cold, and your tolerance.

I find the first half of October quite pleasant. The fall foliage is at it's peak, and the days are typically dry and clear. Expect temperatures anywhere from 5 to 15 celsius and right around the freezing point at night.
--
13F

HereAndThereSC Aug 21, 2007 3:02 pm

You're right, it totally depends on tolerance. I know some people from SC that find it "arctic frigid" when it drops in the 40's (F, 5C).

JP


Originally Posted by Seat13F_AC_CRJ (Post 8270756)
It depends on your definition of cold, and your tolerance.

I find the first half of October quite pleasant. The fall foliage is at it's peak, and the days are typically dry and clear. Expect temperatures anywhere from 5 to 15 celsius and right around the freezing point at night.
--
13F


BiziBB Aug 21, 2007 7:35 pm

I'm with your SC people 5C is plenty cold for Summer! Our climate in Sydney is pretty Mediterranean - so when it hits 40s (5C or lower in the mornings for a week or two in winter) we all feel the cold - it's rare to see a house with central heating!

A 10C maximum day is probably our 'coldest day of the year' kind of exception!

(So how is it right now - late August seems to be the sweet spot; I suppose we need to beware of busy week(end)s such as US Labor Day? :))

[Thanks to BobsYourUncle and subsequent contributors in pointing these January arctic temps out!]


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