Moving in Edmonton During Winter: The Honest Guide

Let's be honest: moving in Edmonton between November and March is not fun. The temperature regularly drops to -20°C to -35°C. Daylight is limited to about 8 hours in December. Roads are icy. But here's the thing — thousands of Edmontonians move during winter every year, and our crews do it year-round. It's entirely doable if you know what to plan for.

This guide covers the real challenges, the actual risks, and the surprising advantages of moving in Edmonton during winter.

Winter Parking Bans: The Biggest Risk to Your Moving Day

Edmonton's winter parking ban system is the single biggest variable that can disrupt a winter move. If a ban is declared on your moving day, your truck may not be able to park on your street.

Phase 1: Major Roads

• Declared with 8 hours notice after a significant snowfall

• Affects arterial roads, bus routes, and business improvement areas

• Lasts 3-4 days

• Fine: $250 per infraction

Phase 2: Residential Streets

• 24 hours advance notice via yellow signs posted on your street

• Individual neighbourhoods are affected for approximately 72 hours

• This is the one that catches people on residential moving days — check for yellow signs on your street and your destination street

How to Check

• Check ban status at my.edmonton.ca or call 311

• Subscribe to alerts through the City of Edmonton website — you'll get notifications by email or text when bans are declared for your area

• Check again the morning of your move, even if there was no ban the night before — bans can be declared overnight

Spring Road Bans (March 1 – June 1)

If you're moving in late winter or early spring, there's another restriction most people don't know about. Every year from March 1 to June 1, the Province of Alberta imposes spring road bans on secondary highways and local roads to protect softened pavement during the spring thaw.

• Truck weight limits are reduced by approximately 25% on affected roads

• Affects vehicles over 8,000 kg GVW (gross vehicle weight)

• A moving truck fully loaded with a large household can approach or exceed these limits

• Large moves during spring ban season may need route adjustments to stay on primary highways

More details: Alberta Transportation — Spring Road Bans

Icy Driveways, Steep Lots, and Dangerous Terrain

Not all Edmonton neighbourhoods are created equal in winter. The river valley neighbourhoods — Riverbend, Terwillegar, Riverdale, and parts of Glenora — have steep driveways and hilly terrain that become genuinely hazardous when covered in ice.

What to expect:

• Steep driveways may need to be salted or sanded before the truck can safely park. Our crews carry salt and sand, but your driveway may need extra attention the night before.

• Walkways between the truck and your front door need to be cleared. Movers carrying heavy furniture on icy paths is a safety hazard and will slow the move significantly.

• Back alley access — common in older neighbourhoods like Bonnie Doon and Holyrood — can be completely impassable after a snowfall if the alley hasn't been plowed.

• Budget extra time. A move that takes 6 hours in July might take 7-8 hours in January due to slower, more careful loading and driving.

For neighbourhood-specific tips, see our Edmonton neighbourhood moving guide.

Short Daylight Hours

In December and January, Edmonton gets about 8 hours of daylight. Sunrise is around 8:30 AM and sunset is around 4:15 PM. That's a narrow window for a full move.

• Book an early morning start to maximize daylight hours. Starting at 8 AM instead of 10 AM gives you two extra hours of natural light.

• Moving trucks have floodlights for loading and unloading in the dark, but it's slower and harder on the crew. Natural light is always better.

• If your move is large (3+ bedrooms), consider whether it can be completed in a single day with limited daylight. A two-day move may be more practical in deep winter.

The Upside: Why Winter Moves Are Actually Worth Considering

Here's what most people don't realize: winter is actually the best time to get a good deal on your move in Edmonton.

• Lower prices. Peak season (June–August) accounts for over 35% of all moves. Winter demand is much lower, which means better rates and more flexibility on scheduling.

• Better availability. In summer, you need to book 4-6 weeks ahead. In winter, 1-2 weeks is often enough. You can usually get your preferred date and time.

• No festival conflicts. Fringe Festival (August) shuts down Old Strathcona. K-Days (July) causes northeast traffic chaos. Heritage Festival clogs Hawrelak Park. None of these happen in winter.

• Easier condo elevator access. Summer is peak move-in/move-out season for apartments. In winter, you'll have a much easier time booking the freight elevator in your building.

• No September student rush. If you're moving near the University of Alberta area (Garneau, McKernan), winter avoids the chaos of 40,000+ students returning in September.

For a full breakdown of seasonal pricing, see how much moving in Edmonton costs.

Winter Moving Day Preparation Checklist

The difference between a smooth winter move and a miserable one comes down to preparation. Here's what to do:

The Night Before

• Check the parking ban status at my.edmonton.ca for both your current and new address

• Salt or sand your driveway and walkways (both locations if possible)

• Shovel the path from the street/driveway to your front door

• Confirm your gas and electricity are active at the new address (you do not want to arrive to a cold house)

Morning Of

• Check parking ban status again (bans can be declared overnight)

• Turn your heat up at the new place if you have access — the house should be warm when you arrive with furniture

• Keep doors closed as much as possible during loading/unloading to preserve heat

Packing for Cold Weather

• Electronics: Laptops, TVs, and monitors need time to acclimate to room temperature before powering on. Moving them from a -25°C truck into a warm house causes condensation inside the device. Let them sit for 2-3 hours before turning on.

• Plants: Most houseplants will not survive even 10 minutes in an unheated truck at -20°C. Transport them in your personal vehicle with the heat running, or accept the loss.

• Liquids: Anything water-based (paint, cleaning supplies, wine) can freeze and burst. Transport these items in your car, not the truck.

• First-night box: Pack a clearly labelled box with warm blankets, extra layers, flashlights, phone chargers, toilet paper, snacks, and hot drink supplies. Keep it in your car so you can find it immediately.

What About the Truck?

Professional moving trucks are built for Canadian winters. Our trucks are:

• Equipped with block heaters for reliable cold starts

• Running winter tires from October through April

• Fitted with floodlights for loading and unloading in the dark

• Stocked with salt, sand, and moving blankets that double as insulation for fragile items

The cargo area is not heated. Your belongings will be at outside temperature during transit. For a local move (30-60 minutes of driving), this is rarely a problem. For a long-distance winter move, discuss cold-sensitive items with your movers in advance.

The Bottom Line

Moving in Edmonton in winter is harder, slower, and colder than a summer move. That's the honest truth. But it's also cheaper, easier to schedule, and avoids all the chaos of peak season. The key is preparation: check parking bans, clear your paths, protect your temperature-sensitive items, and book an early start.

Our crews move Edmontonians through every kind of weather — including -35°C days. If you can handle the cold, a winter move in Edmonton might actually be the smartest time to go.

Ready to plan your Edmonton move? Get a free quote from Two Small Men, or explore our full Edmonton moving guide for neighbourhood tips, pricing, and parking bylaws.