Montreal in February

February weather, activities, events & insider tips

February Weather in Montreal

-5°C (23°F) High Temp

-14°C (7°F) Low Temp

66 mm (2.6 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is February Right for You?

Advantages

Igloofest electronic music festival transforms Old Port into winter wonderland with outdoor dancing at -15°C (5°F) - uniquely Montreal experience impossible to replicate elsewhere
Hotel rates drop 40-60% compared to summer peak, with luxury properties like Fairmont Queen Elizabeth offering rooms from CAD$180-250 versus CAD$400+ in July
Skating on outdoor rinks like Bonsecours Basin and Place des Arts becomes magical at dusk around 4:30 PM when lights illuminate fresh snow
Underground city (RESO) network connects 32 km (20 miles) of shopping, dining, and attractions - you can explore downtown core without stepping outside for hours

Considerations

Extreme cold with wind chill reaching -25°C (-13°F) requires serious winter gear investment and limits outdoor sightseeing to 30-45 minute intervals
Daylight ends by 5:00 PM, significantly reducing time for outdoor photography and walking tours of neighborhoods like Dakar Mont-Royal
Many seasonal attractions close including La Ronde amusement park, outdoor terraces, and rooftop bars that define Montreal's summer social scene

Best Activities in February

Underground City Shopping and Cultural Tours

February's bitter cold makes the 32 km (20-mile) RESO network essential rather than optional. Connect between Place Ville Marie, Eaton Centre, and Place des Arts without stepping outside. Perfect time to explore since locals use it heavily in winter, creating authentic urban atmosphere. Indoor climate stays 18-22°C (64-72°F) while outside temperatures plummet.

Booking Tip: Self-guided exploration is free, but organized underground tours typically cost CAD$25-45 per person. Book cultural walking tours that include both underground and brief outdoor stops. Look for tours that provide indoor warming breaks every 20-30 minutes during February.

Winter Festival and Ice Sculpture Events

February hosts multiple winter celebrations including Igloofest (electronic music festival) and various neighborhood winter carnivals. Outdoor events designed for cold weather with warming stations, hot beverages, and proper infrastructure. Ice sculptures and installations look best in February's consistent sub-zero temperatures before spring melting begins.

Booking Tip: Festival passes range CAD$35-85 depending on event. Purchase thermal hand/foot warmers in advance as venue prices triple. Book accommodation near metro stations for easy indoor transit to events. Many festivals offer indoor/outdoor hybrid experiences perfect for February conditions.

Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing in Mount Royal Park

Mount Royal's 200 hectares transform into winter sports great destination with 18 km (11 miles) of groomed trails. February provides most reliable snow coverage and equipment rental facilities operate full schedules. Early morning skiing at 8-9 AM offers best snow conditions before afternoon temperatures rise slightly.

Booking Tip: Equipment rental costs CAD$15-25 per day for skis or snowshoes. Lessons typically CAD$40-60 for 90-minute sessions. Book weekend rentals by Thursday as equipment goes fast. Trail maps available free at chalet - stick to marked trails as temperatures can drop rapidly at higher elevations.

Heated Spa and Thermal Bath Experiences

February's extreme cold creates perfect contrast for Nordic spa experiences at locations like Bota Bota spa-sur-l'eau or Scandinave Spa. Outdoor hot pools maintain 38-40°C (100-104°F) while air temperature sits at -10°C (14°F), creating unique therapeutic experience impossible in warmer months.

Booking Tip: Spa packages range CAD$60-120 for 3-hour access. Book weekday visits for 30-40% savings and smaller crowds. Evening sessions (after 6 PM) offer most dramatic temperature contrasts. Many spas include warming facilities and provide robes/towels designed for outdoor-to-indoor transitions.

Indoor Market Food Tours and Cooking Classes

Jean-Talon and Atwater markets move much activity indoors during February, concentrating vendors and creating cozy atmosphere. Winter specialties like maple products, preserved goods, and warming foods peak availability. Cooking classes focus on cold-weather comfort foods using local ingredients only available in winter months.

Booking Tip: Food tours cost CAD$45-75 and include indoor tastings with minimal outdoor walking. Private cooking classes range CAD$80-150 per person. Weekend market visits offer fullest vendor selection but book food experiences for weekday afternoons when crowds thin and vendors have more time to interact.

Museum District Cultural Immersion

Montreal's concentration of world-class museums becomes essential February activity when outdoor sightseeing proves challenging. Museum of Fine Arts, McCord Museum, and Pointe-à-Callière offer extensive collections requiring 2-3 hours each. February visitor levels allow unhurried exploration and better access to popular exhibitions.

Booking Tip: Museum passes for multiple venues cost CAD$35-50 and include public transit. Many museums offer Thursday evening discounts or free admission periods. Plan museum-hopping routes using metro system to minimize outdoor walking. Special exhibitions often debut in February ahead of spring tourist season.

February Events & Festivals

Mid to Late February

Igloofest Electronic Music Festival

Unique outdoor electronic music festival in Old Port where dancing at -15°C (5°F) becomes part of the experience. Multiple stages, ice bars, and warming stations create surreal winter party atmosphere. Artists perform with special cold-weather equipment while crowds stay warm through movement and specialized clothing.

Late February

Montreal en Lumière (Festival of Lights)

City-wide winter celebration combining fine dining, outdoor installations, and cultural performances. Restaurants offer special menus while light installations illuminate public spaces. Night markets and outdoor activities designed specifically for winter conditions with heated areas and warming stations.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Insulated winter boots rated to -25°C (-13°F) with non-slip soles - Montreal sidewalks become ice rinks and regular shoes are dangerously inadequate

Layering system: thermal base layer, insulating middle layer, waterproof outer shell - buildings overheat to 24°C (75°F) so removable layers essential

Waterproof winter gloves plus thin liner gloves for phone use - touchscreens don't work through heavy gloves but you need protection for -14°C (7°F) temperatures

Wool or synthetic thermal socks - cotton becomes dangerous when wet from snow and loses all insulating properties

Face protection: balaclava or face mask for wind chill that can reach -25°C (-13°F) in downtown wind tunnels between buildings

Lip balm with SPF protection - winter sun reflects off snow creating unexpected UV exposure even with low UV index of 2

Hand and foot warmers for outdoor events - small investment prevents frostbite during multi-hour festivals or skating activities

Waterproof phone case - snow melts quickly when moving between -10°C (14°F) outdoor and 22°C (72°F) indoor environments

Compact umbrella for wet snow - February precipitation often falls as heavy, wet snow that soaks through clothing

Moisturizer for extremely dry winter air - indoor heating combined with 70% outdoor humidity creates skin problems for visitors

Insider Knowledge

Metro stations become social gathering spaces in February - locals linger longer on platforms and in connecting tunnels, creating unexpected cultural interactions impossible during warmer months

Restaurants offer their best deals in February with 'Menu à prix fixe' promotions ranging CAD$25-45 for three courses as businesses combat slow winter tourism

Book accommodations near metro entrances rather than street-level charm - in February, direct underground access to transportation saves 15-20 minutes daily and prevents exposure to dangerous wind chill

Pharmacies like Jean Coutu and Pharmaprix become essential stops for visitors - locals stock up on thermal accessories, moisturizers, and hand warmers that tourists forget to pack

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating walking time in snow and ice - routes that take 10 minutes in summer require 20-25 minutes in February with proper winter walking pace and extra caution

Booking outdoor activities without checking equipment requirements - many winter sports require reservations for proper clothing rentals beyond just skis or snowshoes

Planning too many outdoor attractions per day - February weather limits outdoor sightseeing to 2-3 brief stops with indoor warming breaks rather than full-day walking tours