Have you ever wondered what February is like in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)? For me, I always find myself curious about what locals do and wear when I am travelling somewhere new, so I figured you might be wondering the same thing about Toronto in the middle of winter.
Spoiler alert: February is still very much winter here. And it’s the kind of month that separates people into two distinct crowds.
The Great February Divide
Category 1: Winter Enthusiasts
These people come to life during winter season. If you are someone who likes staying outside and being active, you will be able to enjoy this season. There are some outdoor activities they will enjoy like skiing to snowboarding, camping during winter, and to traveling within their country to see the northern lights are some of the activities that this particular group of people is engaged in.
Category 2: Winter Avoiders
Then there are those of us (and I say “us” loosely) who would rather hibernate. The hassle of bundling up, the risk of getting sick afterward, and the winter blues that hit hard this time of year, it’s a lot. This is peak vacation-to-the-south season. Many people escape to places like Mexico or Cuba where they can trade snow shovelling for beach chairs and skip the jet lag since it’s relatively close.
New Year’s Resolution Check-In
We’ve already reached that point by February where your dedication is tested. We can see people who are either give up on their New Year’s resolutions or muster up enough self-control to see this thing through.
Kids, on the other hand, are having the time of their lives. Snow becomes their playground , not only in making biggest snowball, but also in making tunnels. Sledding down hills becomes an activity they will always cherish. At the same time, it also happens to be the peak season for the flu where some kids will have a higher chances to fall ill, due to many reasons like not wearing proper clothing (aka. not zipping their jacket all the way) to not covering their mouth, and nose when they cough or sneeze. In turn, they spread the sickness to their parents. This is what winter in Canada is all about.
Things to Do When You’re Not Hibernating
For the Outdoor Crowd: If you don’t mind driving and actually enjoy winter activities, popular spots in lower Ontario include:
- Mount St. Louis Moonstone
- Blue Mountain
- Muskoka
- Ice skating at your local outdoor rinks
These places are perfect for skiing, snowboarding, and other outdoor winter fun.
For the Indoor Crowd: If you prefer staying warm, February is a great excuse to explore indoor recreational activities:
- Visit the aquarium, art galleries, or museums
- Catch a movie at the Cineplex (Theater)
- Try indoor bouldering or rock climbing
For the Work-From-Home Crowd: Many people head to libraries or go café hopping to study or work remotely. When working at home for work most of the time, going out for a change in scenery may be good too. More and more people are actually going through the PATH (Toronto’s underground walkway system) to get around when it is too cold to walk outside if they are working there or going to TMU – Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly called Ryerson University).
Further reading: Tim Hortons Guide
Weather Reality Check
Let’s be honest: it is still a season where freezing rain and snowy conditions are still very much a thing in February as the weather is unpredictable and often unpleasant. If you are driving, you need to be extra careful.
But there are bright days to look forward to!
February Holidays & Events:
- Valentine’s Day – for the romantics
- Family Day – a statutory holiday here in Canada
- Lunar New Year Celebrations – happening in various parts of the GTA
- Winter Olympics 2026 – February 2026 will be extra special with the Winter Olympics taking place this month
The Adult Stuff Nobody Warns You About
For those of us who have reached adulthood and financial independence, February also means:
- RRSP deadline is approaching (Registered Retirement Savings Plan contributions for tax purposes)
- Tax return paperwork starts rolling in around this time
Fun times, right? At least you can tackle your taxes from a cozy café while watching the snow fall outside.
The Bottom Line
February in Toronto can be a mixed bag for some people. Toronto is cold, February feels like a long month, and the weather can be quite unkind. However, February also marks the middle of winter adventures for those who love winter, the continuing our indoor escapades, culture events, and, yes, adulting.
Regardless if it’s enjoying the snow or waiting for spring to hit, there definitely is a certain vibe that comes every year in February down at the GTA. So grab your layers and your fellow supporters, regardless of whom you’re rooting for, and make the most out of February!
How is everyone’s feeling about winter? Let us know in the comments below!
The photo used in this blog post is sourced from Unsplash.
[Featured] Photo by Maria Gavrilova on Unsplash
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