Not unlike Québec City, Montréal in winter evokes widely paradoxal feelings. It’s literally freezing cold, yet oddly calm and soothing. It’s guilt-free evenings watching the telly. Occasionally it’s wet and humid, and yet perfect for winter sports. The first few moments following snowfall (or better yet, right before it ends) are so picturesque and lovely and postcard-perfect that it almost makes up for the fact that my socks are wet after walking for an hour on this new, crisp blanket of immaculate snow.
So yeah–Montreal in winter isn’t as bad a you think. Really. Why not take advantage of discounted hotel rates and half-full restaurants to push yourself outside your (warm, dry) comfort zone and finally embrace your Nordic self?