Winter is great because it means that you can build snowmen, hide in comfy sweaters, sing Christmas carols, and finally drink holiday specials at Starbucks. On the other hand, winter also means that the ‘’the polar vortex’’ is here (is that still a thing?). Here at Waterloo, the wind chill can reach as low as –40 °C. Wait! It gets worse: –40 °C or not, you still have to go to class. Being outdoors in the winter can be cold but also exciting! Here are some tips on how to survive winter in Waterloo:
1. Make eskimos your fashion guru. It is better to be warm in a puffy, winter jacket than freeze to death in a cute dress. Can’t sacrifice your fashion? Dress cute and be warm at the same time by investing in a cute hat and matching mittens. Also, a good pair of boots will go a long way, especially in a city located in the Snow Belt. Although the snow on campus is shovelled, once it melts, you are going to be dealing with a mixture of slush, mud, and of course- geese poop. Trust me, you’ll want to protect your feet from this!
2. If you can’t beat em, join em! As much fun as Netflix and blankets are, sometimes its better to just embrace the cold. Go outside and ice skate! In the winter, Uptown and Downtown Waterloo opens up a public skating rink just steps away from the bus stop. Anyone can skate here for free, but don’t forget your skates! You may want to warm up after at one of the Waterloo’s many cute cafes, just down the street from the rinks.
3. Channel your inner badger. Believe it or not, Waterloo has underground tunnels to get from one building to another. They’re great for when it’s windy or snowing outside.The arts buildings are all connected with one tunnel starting from South Campus Hall leading to Hagey Hall and ending with the Modern Languages building. The Math & Computers, Chemistry 2, Engineering 2, and J.R. Coultts buildings are also connected. If you want to know how the tunnels work check out this video
If you don’t like being underground, there are the overpasses connecting the science buildings! Here is a picture of the over passes
Also if you have an Android device, there is an Android app called WATisRain created by Waterloo students to help you navigate your way from one building on campus to another without going outside.
4. Expand your boundaries. It’s no Blue Mountain or Devil’s Glen, but if you decide that you are staying in town for the weekend or you’re just looking for something wintery to do, then Chicopee is the place for you. A quick drive to the outskirts of Waterloo can be a really fun way to go tubing, skiing or snowboarding. Student discounts are offered every Wednesday for ski slopes. This includes an all access 4 hour lift ticket for $20 after 5 p.m. The Tube Park also offers student pricing on Saturday night after 9 P.M. and a $20 discount on Tuesday night for 3 hours.
You are now ready to conquer winter in Waterloo. Have fun and be safe!