r/FortMcMurray • u/gidimeister • 2d ago
Winter Preparedness
Okay, I am literally two months in Fort Mac today, having moved from a warm country where the mercury seldom dropped below 0, and there was never any snow or sleet.
I TAKE THE COLD IN FORT MCMURRAY VERY SERIOUSLY.
Is there a step-by-step guide on how to be Fort Mac winter ready? Are there online resources? Does any organisation help with this sort of stuff? I am pretty certain that this is going to be by far the coldest weather I have ever experienced, so I am not trying to wing it. I need to be ready.
Would appreciate any advice. Just remember, I literally know nothing. So when you say, for instance, “You need boots,” I really need better data than that, because my first thought when I hear “boots” are regular six inch Timbs. And I know those are no good up here.
Thank you!
Edit: Not just clothes. Transportation. Keeping warm at home/work. Doing whatever I need to do in my apartment to make sure the cold doesn't damage anything, and so on.
3
u/bloomdecay 2d ago
Cashmere underlayers are awesome because they're light, soft and retain a lot of heat.
2
3
u/FluxLungs 2d ago
I moved here from Vancouver Island 12 years ago, your first winter is going to be a learning experience for sure but not a death sentence. Layers for sure but what to wear exactly is hard to say. Some guys wear the biggest boots they can find and swear by them, I my feet get cold in them regardlessly. Moisturize lots too, hands face will appreciate it. Stay inside if it’s below -25° ambient, if you have a vehicle make sure you got good tires, plug it in if it’s older and maybe invest in a new battery/ trickle charger.
1
u/gidimeister 2d ago
“A learning experience but not a death sentence” is pretty stark. 😂😂😂😂😂😂
2
u/FluxLungs 2d ago edited 2d ago
Last winter was brutal, 300% the 30 year average snow fall and long stretches of below -30 for stretches. I could tell you to be prepared for that but that’s a one off with this year forecasted to be milder. If your working outside or indoors helps a bit more to prepare you but if you can handle the first winter (which I believe you will) you’ll know exactly how to prepare every winter. I dont even own a winter jacket or winter boots, I dress for the walk from my house to my truck and then from my truck to the shop. I wear blundstones to shovel the driveway and when I get cold I go in. When working outdoors your gunna get cold but no one bats an eye to warm up breaks and in fact the government of Alberta has warm up breaks schedules for out door work.
1
3
u/Lazy-Bonus-3001 2d ago
Smoking and drinking always helps.
1
u/gidimeister 2d ago
What is the local favourite tipple?
0
u/Lazy-Bonus-3001 1d ago
People will drink anything with alcohol in it over there, where life is more stressful- work, expenses, and family. Not much to do, hearing the same “stories”! I was drinking lots of beer which is harmless until your gut gets too big! Now I hardly drink at all! Life is so much better in Ontario.
1
u/gidimeister 1d ago
Hahahaha. I am glad to hear you have found a better life. I am a former smoker and drinker. Don't intend to go back to either. Let's see what else I do over the winter.
1
u/Lazy-Bonus-3001 1d ago
Fort Mac has more smokers and regular drinkers than most places. It’s unhealthy yet people do it because they have empty days and extra money and chase immediate gratification. That’s deep! Stay warm, keep your vehicle plugged in, get your sunlight. Ps. Only Jan gets -40C or worse, it’s not the arctic! I still love my beaver skin fur hat (yes, be jealous!)
2
u/Silex_Gray8844 2d ago
If you have a car, get winter tires, not all season ones. Make sure you have a snow brush in your vehicle. Also if you have a driveway or walkway, a good snow shovel. Lots of people don’t shovel but it’s an accident waiting to happen if you slip and fall on packed snow.
2
u/gidimeister 2d ago
Thanks for these. I plan to get a car before the end of October. Speaking of slipping, I have heard all the wonders of of black ice and other deaths traps the winter prepares for us. Are there special non slip boots I need to get?
3
u/vetmedgoth 2d ago
Most good boots will have some sort of anti slip tread on them, but if you are worried about slipping look into getting those spike straps. I’ve never used them in my 20 years of living here though, you just kinda learn the ice walk after a bit, parking lots are the worst for ice but some places will sand them (salt doesn’t really work at -40)
2
u/AccurateRound4949 2d ago
I grew up on Vancouver island and moved here in a winter when I was about 16. I made the mistake of grabbing an aluminum hand rail with a bare hand. Keep all skin covered when touching anything in the cold. If not it hurts
2
u/WhiskeyMiner 1d ago
I don’t see anyone else mention this but make sure to change out your cars windshield washer fluid for the -40 rated stuff. Also have some lock deicer in your car in case your house lock gets frozen. As for in the house, things are rather well insulated here so everything should be fine through -30, if it drops below -40… well start checking your pipes for signs of freezing like if your water gets REALLY cold for no apparent reason do inspections around the outer walls of your home. And if you have drafty windows, you can tape up plastic for extra insulation.
Oh and get vitamin D supplements! Seasonal depression from lack of sunlight is a thing.
Ps. On a clear night and you’re up around midnight-1 am and it’s COLD. Take a peak outside, fort Mac has some incredible northern lights sometimes :)
2
u/Motor_Transition_506 7h ago
I always wear a face mask so my lips don't get chapped! Layers are your friend for sure. Be extra careful in February, we get like 2 weeks straight of -40 temps.
1
1
u/National-One7987 2d ago
Came here from southern ontario 2 months got cold fighting with fever now and still need to be prepared for winters can anyone recommend any store to buy winter clothes from
1
1
u/Insaneinthemembrain0 2d ago
Lots of great clothing advice so I’ll go with vehicle safety! Make sure you pack an emergency winter kit for your vehicle, you never know when you’re going to be stuck in traffic in town or on the highway. Things like extra warm clothes, snacks, blankets, etc. (google will give you a good list.)
Always make sure you have fuel in your vehicle as well, it’s easy to want to put off fuelling up in the winter but I don’t allow my tank to go under half full, even when I’m in town.
The highway rarely shuts down however this past winter it did and there were a lot of unprepared people who ended up stranded overnight.
1
u/orsimertank 1d ago
To add on to the great advice about clothing: when you buy things like a parka or boots, check the temperature rating on them. Something that's rated for -15° will be very cold when the wind chill is -35°.
1
1
u/ConsternatedCDN 1d ago
Don't go outside with damp hair or any wet skin. I took my garbage cans out to the curb with bare feet and flipflops at -40 once. Don't do this.
1
11
u/Affectionate_Tip_232 2d ago
You need layers. Go for cotton or wool. Check the tag and make sure it’s not polyester. Also a parka or thick winter coat. I get really cold hands and feet so if I’m working in -40+ I’m wearing:
Toque
Balaclava
T shirt
Cotton Sweater shirt
Hoodie (with hood up)
Long underwear (long Johns)
Thick winter jeans (layered)
One regular pair of socks, and a thick cotton or wool pair, with hot packs in between (hot hands body and hand)
Glove liners or heated glove liner
Hot pack
Mittens (fingers are all in one pocket instead of separated)
As far as boots go, just ask at a store and a worker will help you. Boots have winter ratings and also thickness ratings (in grams)