Winter

If you're thinking of moving to Montreal but are afraid of the winter, here's some advice: learn to cross-country ski. Montreal is the only city I can think of that has a mountain for a central park. The trails are groomed all winter and are varied enough to make for great skiing. When the moon is out you can even ski at night, as I did tonight, and on the winding forest trails at the top of the mountain you don't feel like you're in the middle of a city but in some remote wilderness, struggling against the blowing snow as an ice-beard grows on your face. Far from dreading the cold and snow I've come to look forward to it.

Last year saw the most snowfall in recent memory. I hope this year breaks that record.