Unbelievable vintage photos of snow in Toronto

It's probably fair to say that the experience of dealing with snow is somehow crucial to understanding what life is like in Toronto, even if it's just in the form of complaining about it more than we probably should.  

From the massive storms of 1999 and 1944 to the dire warnings issued before every snowfall, snow is hardwired into the city's historical consciousness, even as we often stand in awe of it.

Here's a look back at the city blanketed in snow and encased in ice over the last century and a bit. It should help to provide some perspective the next time we all start fretting about five centimetres of light powder.

Behold, snowy Toronto over the years!

Storm damage on Brock Street, 1896.

Cherry Street, 1908.

Old City Hall encased in frost, 1910.

Broadview near Riverdale Park, 1917.

Manning and Ulster, 1920.

Snowy Queen Street, 1922.

Snowy Queen Street, 1924.

Snow plough operated by the TTC, 1924.

Gerrard Street, 1924.

Winter pastoral in High Park, 1932.

College and St. George snow removal, 1936.

Barton Avenue snow removal, 1936.

Snow blower, 1940s.

Snow blower, 1943.

The great snow storm of 1944.

The city shut down, 1944.

Yonge looking north at Richmond, 1944.

Yonge looking north at Adelaide, 1944.

Buried, 1944.

George Street north to Adelaide, 1944.

Good luck digging out, 1944.

The OPP helping out on the QEW, 1960.

Totally safe driving conditions, 1960.

Shovelling out, 1961.

More shovelling, 1961.

Waiting for the bus, 1961.

Near King and John streets, 1961.

Near King and John streets, 1961.

Snow removal, 1965.

Snow removal, 1965.

Snow at Old Mill Station, 1965.

by Derek Flack via blogTO

The top 5 outdoor weekend getaways from Toronto this winter

Outdoor weekend getaways from Toronto in the winter are for those with a sense of adventure. Sure you could cozy up by a fire or get pampered at a spa, but if you want to experience all that Ontario winters have to offer, you have to get outside and do stuff. From dog sledding to ice climbing, there's a world of exciting journeys to be embarked upon.

Here are my picks for the top outdoor weekend getaways from Toronto this winter.

Try out ice climbing

Few winter activities rival the thrill of ice climbing. While there are lots of opportunities to explore in the Hamilton area, the best climbs are further north. Take a weekend to explore northwestern Ontario's towering frozen waterfalls amidst the unforgettable winter landscape.

Embrace the call of the wild and go dog sledding

You don't have to trek to the far north to go dog sledding. A drive 90 minutes north to Moonstone, Ontario will land you at Windrift Adventures, a kennel that participates in dog sled races and offers a variety of packages. Stay at a local resort for added activities. 

Get a charge of adrenalin on a zip-line

There's no better way to take in the view of the Elora Gorge than from the perspective of a zip-line that covers the expanse. Adventure Seeker Tours offers this unique experience from January to March. It takes lots of time to hike in and prepare for your rides, so best to stay overnight.

Go cross country skiing in the moonlight

If you want to shake your weekend ski trip, try out moonlight cross country skiing at Horseshoe Resort. A few times a year, the trails are lit with torches to guide you through the woods at night. Stay at the resort and try out other activities like snow tubing as well.

Dive into winter at Arrowhead Park

If there's a one-stop shop for winter adventures, it's Arrowhead Provincial Park. It boasts the best skating trail within a reasonable drive of Toronto, 40 kilometres of cross country ski trails, a snow tubing hill, and even cabins for those adventurous enough to stay on site. 

by Derek Flack via blogTO

It's so cold in Toronto they cancelled the Polar Bear Dip

Toronto enters 2018 in the midst of an extreme cold spell that witnessed temperatures plummet to -22C overnight. It's so cold that organizers cancelled the Polar Bear Dip for the first time in 13 years. 

"Unfortunately due to ice conditions at Sunnyside Beach and in consideration of participant safety we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Toronto Polar Bear Dip," reads a statement released before the event was scheduled to take place today at noon. 

Unfortunately due to ice conditions at Sunnyside Beach and in consideration of participant safety we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Toronto Polar Bear Dip for the first time in 13 years.

— Toronto Polar Bear (@TOPolarBearClub) January 1, 2018

If you've driven by Sunnyside over the last few days, you might have noticed one of the major complicating factors: the lake has frozen inside the breakwall where the swim normally takes place. 

"Today we have to consider the safety of everyone first and foremost," organizers explain. "We will be exploring the possibility of running the event on a later date."

In the meantime, would-be participants are being encouraged to "jump in a snowbank or make snow angels in your bathing suit." Honestly, that sounds almost as scary as the icy dip! 

by Staff via blogTO

The top 20 restaurants for New Year's Day brunch in Toronto

New Year's Day brunch in Toronto is the perfect way to kick off 2018. Whether you're nursing a doozy of a hangover or plan to spend the day with the family, you can face the new year head-on with a healthy dose of all your morning favourites. 

Here are my picks for where to eat your first brunch of 2018 in Toronto.

Future Bistro

Omelettes, eggs benny and French toast will be the ultimate remedy to you hangover after the shenanigans that went down December 31. The Annex restaurant will be open starting at 9 a.m.

Cafe Neon

Both locations will be serving brunch on New Year's Day. Their Queen location will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and their Wallace location from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Prepare to dig into offerings like pancakes, omelettes and eggs bennies.

Pray Tell

Avocado toast, chilaquiles and pork belly eggs benny are just a few of the menu items that will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at this restaurant and bar in Little Italy. 

The Ace

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Roncesvalles Village restaurant will serve up their menu of brunch classics. 

Lakeview Restaurant

As always, the 24 hour diner on Dundas West will be open to help you survive that nasty hangover. Order up classic breakfast items along with a $5 Caesar, and you should be all fixed up for the day ahead.

Hollandaise Diner

This Danforth East spot is also ready to serve its menu of eggs benedicts and pancakes on January 1. They will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Lady Marmalade

This Leslieville brunch destination will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They'll be serving up the usual roster of customizable bennies, breakfast poutine and cheddar spinach waffles.

Lisa Marie

Hit up this Queen West spot for brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. S'mores pancakes and fried chicken and waffles will be just some of the delicious items available that day. 

Beast

This Tecumseth Street restaurant will be serving brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Spend the first day of 2018 mowing breakfast sandwiches piled high with fried chicken.

Poutini's

Special for the day, the Toronto poutine purveyor will be serving a series of brunch poutines. Have a little bacon and eggs with your Canadian comfort food at either location. 

Dirty Food

This Junction restaurant will dish out all your favourite guilty pleasures from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a special hangover brunch.

Okay Okay

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the popular diner in Leslieville will be churning out buttermilk pancakes, fried egg sandwiches and more of your favourite morning staples.

Sneaky Dee's

Hangover relief can be found at this College Street stalwart starting at 10 a.m. On the menu you'll find greasy Mexican style breakfasts.

D-Beatstro

If you're hankering for a hearty vegan brunch after a wild night out, look no further then this cafe in Bloordale Village. They'll be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Peasant Table

This Riverside restaurant will keep its doors open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Indulge on steak and eggs, double smoked bacon macaroni and cheese and veggie eggs benny.

Mildred's Temple Kitchen

It'll be the final day of this Liberty Village restaurant's 7 Days of Brunch. Take in a hefty platter of their blueberry pancakes and wash it all down with a refreshing mimosa. 

The Good Fork

This Bloor West Village brunch spot will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be serving all the usual items including their epic red velvet pancakes. 

Smith

Make your way to Church Wellesley Village between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to take down plates of brisket hash, avocado toast and piles of pancakes. 

Drake Commissary 

The culinary hub on Sterling Rd. will be serving up their weekend brunch menu from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be snacks like scones alongside breakfast sandwiches filled with brisket and eggs. 

BOOM Breakfast & Co.

All locations of the local breakfast chain will be open starting at 9 a.m. Slurp down smoothies while you munch on classics like peameal and eggs. 

by Jaclyn Skrobacky via blogTO

New Year's Day events in Toronto for 2018

New Year's Day events in Toronto will help you enter 2018 with a bang. There's the annual Polar Bear Dip, a unique skating opportunity, a new screening at Hot Docs, and a handful of after parties. 

Events you might want to check out:

Community Free Skate (January 1 @ Mattamy Athletic Centre)
Start the new year skating around the Historic Maple Leaf Gardens. It's completely free and takes place between 11AM and 1PM.
New Year's Day Party at Uniun (January 1 @ UNIUN Nightclub)
Couldn't make it out to a New Year's Eve party last night? Uniun is pretending it isn't Monday and throwing a second NYE party just for the heck of it.
Binge Watch The Up Series (January 1 @ Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema)
Catch a screening of all eight episodes of this one of a kind documentary series that interviewed a group of then seven-year-olds once every seven years for 50 years.
The Afterparty (January 1 @ Sound Xchange)
Wiggly's annual afterparty arguably has more buzz around it than most actual New Year's Eve parties. Regroup with your friends who all celebrated separately for an off the wall DJ party.
Salute to Vienna (January 1 @ Roy Thomson Hall)
Roy Thomson Hall hosts an afternoon of extravagant music, dazzling costume, and brilliant dancing from some of Europe's finest artists.
The Wilderness (January 1 @ Lost And Found)
Every Monday Lost and Found hosts its fashion and hip hop parties, with New Year's Day being no exception. Get lost in the wilderness alongside fellow Toronto thrill seekers.

by Corey Van Den Hoogenband via blogTO