Moving in Winter in Toronto: Tips for Snow, Ice and Cold Weather
Moving in winter takes more planning than a summer move, but it is far from impossible. Most of the risk comes from three things: ice on the paths, slush on the floors and cold that damages sensitive belongings. Deal with those before the truck arrives and a winter move in Toronto can run as smoothly as one in July. The winter moving tips below follow the order of a real moving day, from the forecast check to the first warm night in the new place.
Is winter a good time to move in Toronto?
Summer is the busy season for Toronto movers, and the popular dates fill up early. In winter fewer people move, so it is usually easier to get the exact date and start time you want, including month-end and weekend slots.
The trade-off is the weather. Winter days are short, snow can arrive mid-move and a path that looked clear at 8 a.m. can be icy by noon. None of this is a reason to avoid moving during the winter. It is a reason to prepare for it.
Winter moving tips for moving day
Most of the work happens the night before and the morning of the move. Go through this list at both addresses.
Clear and salt every path
Shovel the driveway, the walkway, the porch and any steps at the old home and the new one, then spread salt or sand for grip. A clear path keeps the crew on their feet while they carry a sofa or a dresser, and it keeps your belongings off the ground. Leave a shovel and a bag of salt by the door: Toronto snow often comes back halfway through the day.
Protect your floors from slush and salt
Snow and salt tracked inside can stain hardwood and make floors slippery within minutes. Lay old blankets, plastic sheets or flattened cardboard along the main route from the door, and put a non-slip mat at each entrance.
Keep cold-sensitive items out of the truck
Electronics, candles and liquids such as cleaning products and toiletries can be ruined if they freeze. Carry them in your heated car instead. Load electronics last and unload them first, and once they are inside, let them reach room temperature before you plug them in so any condensation can dry. Houseplants also do better in the car than in a cold truck.
Pack for wet weather
Cardboard soaks up melting snow and can give way at the bottom. For anything that must stay dry, use sealed plastic bins: Moovy offers reusable moving bins for rent with local delivery and pickup included. Double-wrap fragile items, and cover furniture and appliances with moving blankets or plastic to keep moisture and dirt off.
Dress for moving in cold weather
You will go in and out of heated rooms all day, so wear layers you can take off and put back on. Waterproof boots with a good tread matter on icy steps, and gloves should still let you grip a box. Keep spare socks, a hat and a scarf in the car, plus a thermos of coffee, tea or hot chocolate for short warm-up breaks.
Pack a winter essentials box
Put the things you will need first into one box or bag that travels with you: warm clothes and blankets, snacks and water, a flashlight and batteries, toiletries, medications and phone chargers. You will not have to dig through boxes in a cold truck to find them.
Get the new home ready before moving day
Check that the heat, electricity and water are on at the new address before you arrive, and keep them running at the old one until the last box is out. If the house has stood empty for a while, look for frozen pipes, and turn the heat up a little so the rooms are warm when you carry things in.
If you have pets, keep them in a warm, quiet room away from the open doors, or ask someone to look after them for the day. Leave out their food, water and bedding.
Moving house in the snow: what to plan for in Toronto
Snow routes and parking
After a major snowfall the City of Toronto can ban parking on designated snow routes, which is a problem if that is where the truck has to stop. Check the forecast and the signs on your street the day before, and think of a backup spot.
Condo buildings and freight elevators
The freight elevator still has to be booked with building management, and that booking is on the resident, not the moving company. Lobbies and loading docks get wet and busy in winter, which slows the carry. Our guide to moving into a Toronto high-rise covers elevator bookings and building rules in more detail.
Daylight and holidays
Light fades by late afternoon in a Toronto winter, so start the move as early in the morning as you can. Dates around Family Day in February and other long weekends fill up quickly, so book those early.
Driving your own car
If you drive part of the load yourself, check the tires, brakes and battery, top up antifreeze and washer fluid, and keep an emergency kit in the car with blankets, jumper cables and a first aid kit.
When to reschedule a winter move
Some days are not worth moving on. If a major storm or freezing rain is forecast, moving the date by a day or two is the safer choice for your family, the crew and your furniture. Build some flexibility into your plans and talk to your movers early. Moovy does not take deposits, so a change of date does not cost you a deposit, and the team will look for another date that works.
How Moovy handles a winter move
Moovy moves houses, apartments and condos across Toronto and the GTA all year round, including the coldest months. Every piece of furniture is wrapped in heavy-duty moving blankets, with extra attention to legs, corners and undersides, and every mattress goes into a heavy-duty mattress bag, which also keeps out snow and moisture. Taking furniture apart and putting it back together is part of the hourly rate. Moovy is licensed and carries $2,000,000 in commercial general liability insurance.
For a full home, see what our house moving service includes; for a building with an elevator, see our condo and apartment movers.
Our moving rates are hourly, with a three-hour minimum and one truck fee for the route. Send us your home size, both addresses and your date to get a free moving quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is winter a good time to move in Toronto?
Yes, if you plan for the weather. Fewer people move in winter, so it is easier to book the date and time you want. The extra work is clearing paths, protecting floors and keeping cold-sensitive items warm.
How do I protect furniture and electronics when moving in cold weather?
Wrap furniture in moving blankets or plastic, pack anything that must stay dry in sealed plastic bins, and carry electronics in your heated car. Let electronics reach room temperature before you switch them on.
What happens if it snows on moving day?
In normal snow the move goes ahead with cleared and salted paths. In a heavy storm or freezing rain it is safer to move the date. Moovy does not take deposits, so rescheduling does not cost you one.
Who books the freight elevator for a winter condo move?
The resident books the freight elevator with building management and arranges any deposit the building asks for. Do it early, because winter does not change the building's booking windows.
