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Unique Work and Transportation Options
of Canada’s Winter

Winter Seasonal Work

Being blessed with the beauty of winter means that colder months can offer some seasonal work opportunities not available at other times of the year. Some of those jobs might include

Ice sculptor
Dogsled driver
Ski hill lift operator
Snow maker at a ski hill
Skate and ski instructor
Snow shoveling and snow removal
Snowplow driver
Ice maker at a rink
Zamboni driver
Maple syrup collection

Now that a variety of winter seasonal work has been explored, what are the ways that people have commuted to work in the past (then) and these days (now)?

Winter Transportation–Then and Now

There are many options for transportation during the winter. Transportation, especially in colder climates, is essential to take into consideration for being able to go grocery shopping, commuting to work, and visiting with family and friends.

Snowshoes

Snowshoes were - and still are - a great way to walk over deep snow without losing one’s footing. In the past, snowshoes were made out of wood and in a teardrop shape and looked similar to a racquet. Today, snowshoes often come in more rectangular shapes and are made out of a combination of plastic, metal, and other synthetic materials. In addition, the selection of a size of snowshoe one chooses to use might be dependent on things such as the size of the load - such as a backpack - that one is carrying, the snow conditions (whether snow is heavy, wet, light, packed), boot size, and how easy or difficult one finds it to maneuver in a pair of snowshoes compared with another pair.

In the article Snowshoes from The Canadian Encyclopedia, it shares about how snowshoes were made in the past and their importance and use to Indigenous people. Snowshoes can still be a practical choice for transportation in areas that are remote and where access by vehicle may not be possible.

Skis

Helping to make one’s way and glide through the snow, skis are a great transportation option. In addition to having skis, it is also a good idea to have poles. Poles assist with pushing off through snow. Before, skis were primarily made out of wood. These days, in contrast, skis are mostly made out of synthetic plastic material. When not skiing, skis can be attached and carried on the shoulder or on one’s back using a backpack or a special ski holder. What today is used typically for exercise and enjoyment, in days gone by would have been just a means of getting from point A to point B.

Snowmobiles and ATVs

With motorized vehicles coming onto the scene, snowmobiles and ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) became two transportation options, more so in smaller or rural areas. These vehicles might be used to get to town after a snowstorm or to go and check on fields where it might be difficult for a car or truck to get to.

A quick search online shows that in 1911, the first snowmobile was patented, and in 1893, the first ATV was built and sold.

Did you know?

When you hear of someone talking about or riding on a Ski-Doo,
it is a brand name of a snowmobile?

Dog Sleds

This transportation method was more prevalent in areas such as northern Canada. These days, one can go on a dog sled ride when visiting a place like Lake Louise, Alberta. Some of the best dog breeds for a dog sled are Malamute, Husky, Canadian Eskimo, and Chinook. In previous decades, dog sleds would have been made mostly out of wood. These days, in addition to wood, dog sleds might also include other materials such as aluminum and high-tech metals.

Horse Sleigh, Wagon, or Carriage

In the past, traveling during the winter in a horse sleigh, wagon, or carriage would have been quite common. Sleighs, in particular, are designed to be used on snow or ice. There are different types of sleighs such as the Albany Cutter, Portland Cutter, and four-passenger sleighs. As you can imagine, people would need to be dressed warmly and covered in warm blankets during these means of travel! It’s a far cry from our heated seats and steering wheels of today!

Sled

Having a sled can make it easier or more manageable to transport items, like packages or bundles, through the snow. Sleds can be saucer shaped or come in a rectangular shape. Earlier, sleds were made out of wood. These days, some sleds are made out of aluminum or metal. In the past, people might have had snowshoes on to walk on the snow while pulling a sled behind them with items purchased or traded at the general store to help them see the winter through.

Public Transportation

From buses to light rapid transit (LRT) to streetcars, these days there are several public transportation options to select from in towns and cities. Public transportation is important as it helps those without a car get to places they need to be. Because public transportation is a necessity for so many, it is essential that lots of planning goes into it so that it would run with efficiency, ensuring that timing and connections between buses and trains are coordinated as much as possible.

Vehicles - Cars and Trucks

Vehicles offer another modern mode of transportation during the winter. However, challenges with driving vehicles during the winter can include encountering ice or black ice on roads and the necessity of having winter tires. Winter tires have more traction which can help decrease the chance of sliding during icy conditions. In some places in Canada in the winter months, vehicles need to have a block heater and be plugged into a power source to keep their batteries running. In northern places in Canada, if a car is not plugged in overnight in the winter, it will not start in the morning.

There is lots to enjoy about the winter season! From the variety of seasonal work available to transportation options during the winter both then and now, there is a great selection of winter jobs and many ways to get around.

This article has been written by homeschooling staff writers of The Canadian Schoolhouse (TCS). Enjoy more of our content from TCS contributors and staff writers by visiting our themes page that has a new theme topic added every month!