Where’s The Coldest Spot In The GTA? Your Choices Revealed

Is it Yonge and Bloor?

Simcoe and Queen?

That area near the Beach Boardwalk?

Maybe it’s that lonely spot down on Polson St. on the lake where the wind howls and the icicles dance in the breeze.

Or perhaps it’s just about anywhere on Bay St.

We asked you what your choice was for the coldest spot in the GTA, the kind of place that makes you walk just a bit faster to get away from it when the thermometer reaches the nether regions. And it appears everyone has a favourite all their own.

Perhaps what was most surprising about our impromptu and highly unscientific survey was that there were almost no duplications in the numerous emails we received.

Only one corner – King and Bay – came up three times and there’s little question it can be a wind tunnel on business row.

Suffice to say that wherever you go, it’s beyond freezing. But some places seem just a little bit colder than others.

Here’s a sample of your responses. Thanks for thawing out long enough to send us your choices.

“Bloor and Dundas. Windy!”
Kristina Smith

“I think the coldest spot is right near the windmill, down at the Ex.  I was there in December with my son, for a school trip, and it must have been 25 degrees colder with the wind chill.  Maybe that’s the reason the windmill is there!”
Stephanie K

“Walking down Bay St. crossing Harbour St. The wind screams both off the lake and down the off ramp from the Gardiner.”
Sarah Durno 

“Has to be Christie Pits Park. Walking along Christie St. everyone is always rushing for the doors at the subway station to get away from the icy winds around Bloor and Christie.”
Sylvia Schlittke

“The Palace Pier (condo building) is the coldest spot.  The wind always howls around this building. Summer, or winter …  brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

“But I love living by the lake … and will put up with the cold wind!”
Richard Bergeron

“The corner of King and Bay. You’re right smack in the middle of a wind tunnel with all the buildings and nowhere to hide from it.”
Terry Beers

“I think the coldest place is Bay and King. With all the tall buildings, it’s a wind tunnel. St Clair and Yonge is my second choice.” 
Julie Skarja

“It has to be Yonge St. in front of Mel Lastman Square!  The wind is strong enough to blow you away if it doesn’t freeze you solid first!!!!”
Corinne Lamb

“The coldest spot in Toronto for me is the intersection of Superior Ave. and Lakeshore Blvd at the TTC stop.”
Helene Letendre

“#1- Balmuto, just north of Charles St. W, on the west side of the street, adjacent to the Manulife Centre car park exit. Friend of mine actually had his sunglasses sucked away in the wind-vortex, never to be found again.
#2- Yonge and Bloor, N.W. Corner”
Steve Thorson, Toronto

“Commerce Court West, on Bay St. between King and Wellington. When that wind kicks in, look out!”
Mariana Green

“I’d say it’s Yonge and Eglinton. While I don’t have to walk through there (I’m in the warm comfort of my car as I pass through daily) I know the winds really howl through that area (you can often feel them battering the car as you sit at the traffic light.)”
Mark B.

“I believe the coldest spot is the Kipling and Lakeshore area.”
Raj Chahal

“It has got to be the southwest corner of Bay & Lakeshore (just in front of 20 Bay Street).  The effects of the lake, the off ramp from the Gardiner, and all the high rises around the intersection create this unbelievable wind!”
Pam Wong

And then there were a select few who couldn’t help mixing their choices with comments about a service they were all too ready to complain about. Here are a few examples.

“Although I haven’t been there in a couple of months, I know the brutality of the wind tunnel at York University. It is located beside William Small Centre heading to the residences of Stong, Bethune and Calumet.

“Not only does the wind travel through there as you walk, but the cold air gets trapped between the buildings. My bet is that right now, walking through there would be deadly on your skin, eyes and love for Canada. But hey, I would put up with it if I could only get back to class!”
Brittany Glassman
A 4th year York student fed up with the strike

“Any GO station parking lot … the winds are vicious even when it isn’t windy anywhere else.”
Sandy L. Cooke

“No doubt about it – on the TTC trains this morning. Disgusting!
Carla Camerino

And finally this pithy little missive from a man who obviously has an axe – not to mention an ex – to grind.

“I’ve always found that the absolute coldest place in the GTA is right in front of my ex-wife’s house in Mississauga!
Simon