Winter in Montreal, Canada, can be really tough and cold, but people are used to it and they can even enjoy this long season!
Here are some pictures taken in Montreal, over five winters, from 2009 to 2013. Some photos are simply to show you how life is on the island, and were taken “on the fly”, some are a bit more artistic ^^
Hope you will like them, and won’t catch a cold…
During winter, there is the Holiday Season, with Christmas and New Year celebration, but Montreal also sees a lot of outdoor festivals (Montreal En Lumieres, Igloofest, Fête de neiges etc.) Many opportunities to go outside, enjoy and take pictures.
A night walk in the Old Port, passing by the Bonsecours Market and wandering in the illuminated streets, allows you to discover some nice old buildings of the city of Montreal.
F9, 1/400 sec, 48 mm, ISO160, Canon EOS 7D
F9, 1/400 sec, 18 mm, ISO160, Canon EOS 7D
F10, 1/100 sec, 18 mm, ISO200, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F11, 1/200 sec, 46 mm, ISO1600, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F3.5, 1/50 sec, 21 mm, ISO1600, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F4, 1/10 sec, 25 mm, ISO1600, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F9, 1/0 sec, 43 mm, ISO1600, Canon EOS 7D
F4, 1/60 sec, 30 mm, ISO6400, Canon EOS 7D
F3.5, 1/30 sec, 18 mm, ISO1600, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F9, 1/0 sec, 28 mm, ISO1600, Canon EOS 7D
F5.6, 1/40 sec, 49 mm, ISO4000, Canon EOS 7D
F5.6, 1/50 sec, 55 mm, ISO1600, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F3.5, 1/50 sec, 18 mm, ISO1600, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F9, 1/0 sec, 41 mm, ISO1600, Canon EOS 7D
F9, 1/800 sec, 200 mm, ISO200, Canon EOS 7D
F11, 1/200 sec, 33 mm, ISO200, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F9, 1/0 sec, 43 mm, ISO1600, Canon EOS 7D
F4, 1/20 sec, 27 mm, ISO1600, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
Jean Drapeau and the Mount Royal, are good places to enjoy the view on Montreal skyline. Snow covered, the parks are perfect for a nice stroll, plus they are less busy right after a snow storm (not always), if you go early.
F6.3, 1/160 sec, 20 mm, ISO100, Canon EOS 7D
F11, 1/50 sec, 16 mm, ISO100, Canon EOS 7D
F6.3, 1/160 sec, 18 mm, ISO100, Canon EOS 7D
F6.3, 1/160 sec, 20 mm, ISO100, Canon EOS 7D
F6.3, 1/160 sec, 10 mm, ISO100, Canon EOS 7D
F16, 1/4000 sec, 200 mm, ISO125, Canon EOS 7D
F22, 1/4000 sec, 200 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F3.5, 1/680 sec, 6.1 mm, ISO200, FinePix Z5fd
F1.8, 1/6400 sec, 50 mm, ISO320, Canon EOS 7D
F11, 1/500 sec, 100 mm, ISO500, Canon EOS 7D
F8, 1/320 sec, 18 mm, ISO200, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
Temperatures can quickly change too. Switching from melting to freezing, and turning sidewalk into an ice field.
Of course, you must not hate snow and freezing temperatures, if you want to live in Montreal.
You need to equip yourself with the appropriate warm clothes, and shoes! A walk in the snow, some cold fresh air, brings me good sensations… plus it enhances the pleasure when the coffee break comes!
These pictures allow me to also show you the streets where I lived.
You can go sledging, skiing or even do some ice skating. The Old Port ice skating rink, La Fontaine Park and the Lac aux castors (Beavers Lake), attract lots of people who enjoy this winter activity.
Funny thing to see skiers carrying their equipment in public transportation, such as subways and buses. After several winters in Montreal, you get used to it.
F6.3, 1/5000 sec, 373 mm, ISO400, Canon EOS 7D
F7.1, 1/100 sec, 22 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D
F4.5, 1/60 sec, 34 mm, ISO400, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F8, 1/100 sec, 49 mm, ISO400, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F16, 1/500 sec, 55 mm, ISO160, Canon EOS 7D
F4.5, 1/20 sec, 34 mm, ISO1600, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F5.6, 1/1250 sec, 18 mm, ISO4000, Canon EOS 7D
F4.5, 1/10 sec, 18 mm, ISO1600, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F5, 1/400 sec, 70 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D
F32, 1/130 sec, 70 mm, ISO125, Canon EOS 7D
F8, 1/400 sec, 50 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D
F5.6, 1/20 sec, 64 mm, ISO400, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F4, 1/10 sec, 24 mm, ISO200, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F5.6, 1/1000 sec, 10 mm, ISO400, Canon EOS 7D
I arrived for the first time in Montreal during winter. I was so surprised to see big Caterpillar trucks removing the snow in middle of the downtown skyscrapers and buildings.
Montreal can face several snow storms during winter. A typical storm costs the city about $17 million, and the average annual snow removal budget for Montreal, is about $155 million.
The efficiency of the workers and their equipment, is simply incredible.
F3.5, 1/50 sec, 18 mm, ISO1600, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F3.5, 1/80 sec, 18 mm, ISO1600, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F3.5, 1/130 sec, 21 mm, ISO1600, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F4, 1/50 sec, 18 mm, ISO6400, Canon EOS 7D
F6.3, 1/250 sec, 21 mm, ISO640, Canon EOS 7D
F4, 1/40 sec, 18 mm, ISO6400, Canon EOS 7D
F11, 1/160 sec, 244 mm, ISO500, Canon EOS 7D
F9, 1/160 sec, 31 mm, ISO160, Canon EOS 7D
F3.5, 1/240 sec, 6.1 mm, ISO1600, FinePix Z5fd
I hope you enjoyed my pictures of Montreal during Winter. Canada is known for its tough winters, but it’s a really great place.
I would like to dedicate this article to all my friends in Montreal!
Take care, take pictures, and stay warm!
