Montreal is a city that embraces winter with a unique blend of resilience and joie de vivre. For pilots like myself, flying into Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (CYUL) during the colder months isn’t a hardship, but an invitation to experience a city that feels like a fusion of Brooklyn, Pigalle, and even Sapporo—a place where fierce wind chills and soaring snowbanks meet comforting warmth.
From Cockpit to Comfort Food
The journey begins mid-flight. Descending into Montreal after a transatlantic crossing from London is striking; the landscape transforms from dark wilderness to a glowing metropolis, illuminated by snow reflecting the city lights. The immediate need: warmth. Montreal in winter demands preparation, and a quality parka is non-negotiable.
The first stop isn’t a tourist attraction, but a necessity: ramen. Sansotei, a Canadian chain, offers a welcome escape from the cold. While the pastrami ramen may be a local favorite, the Tonkotsu Black—with its rich pork belly and black fungus—is a warming experience. Watching Montrealers navigate the powdery streets from a steamy window seat is a reminder of the city’s enduring spirit.
Bagels and Rivalries
Montreal’s food scene extends beyond comfort food to a culinary rivalry with New York: the bagel. Smaller, sweeter, and wood-fired, Montreal bagels are a local obsession. The competition between Fairmount and St-Viateur bakeries in the Mile End is legendary—a rivalry so intense it’s even been documented in pop culture.
The city’s charm lies in this blend of comfort, resilience, and quirky competition. Montreal doesn’t just survive winter; it thrives in it.
Montreal offers a unique escape for those willing to brave the cold—a city that feels both familiar and distinct, blending European charm with a distinctly Canadian edge.
