Canada’s vast size means its weather varies dramatically from coast to coast. Stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic, and up into the Arctic Circle, the country experiences everything from mild oceanic climates to snowy mountain winters and warm prairie summers.

In general:

• West Coast (British Columbia): Mild and rainy winters, warm and pleasant summers.

• The Prairies (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba): Big skies, cold winters, and hot, dry summers.

• Central Canada (Ontario & Québec): Distinct four seasons with snowy winters and humid summers.

• Atlantic Provinces (Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, PEI): Changeable weather, cooler than the mainland, with ocean breezes year-round.

• Northern Canada (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut): Long, harsh winters and short but surprisingly warm summers with almost 24-hour daylight in mid-summer.

For travellers, this diversity means you can ski in British Columbia while someone else enjoys a sunny city break in Montréal — all in the same week.