A British TikToker In Alberta Asked How To Survive Winter & Got The 'Most Canadian' Advice

She thought people were joking at first!

British TikToker who moved to Alberta.

British TikToker who moved to Alberta.

Editor

This British TikToker moved to Alberta and has been documenting her Canadian winter struggles, and people on TikTok actually came through to help her out.

After a dusting of snow in Calgary, Sophie Chittock was at a loss for how Canadians survive or even manage to walk in the winter weather.

"I am not equipped for this mentally or physically," the caption of her TikTok video said.

At the very beginning of the chilly weather, the sidewalk was already coated in a slippery layer of ice, and Chittock was baffled at how people managed to walk. So, she turned to TikTokers for help, asking how "Canadians survive these conditions."

The answer, agreed upon by most Canadians in the comments, was the iconic penguin walk.

@sophiechittock

I am not equipped for this mentally or physically #canada #calgary #yyccalgary #yyclife #yycgirls #yyctiktok #calgary_yyc #calgaryalberta #canadiangirl #canadiantiktok #canadianstorytime

"Penguin walk. No joke it's taught in school," one TikToker commented.

At first, Chittock thought it had to be a joke, because well, it sounds like one. "Okay, I don't know if you guys are messing with me," she replied to the comment.

For those who don't know, the penguin walk is indeed a real thing and Alberta Health Services actually recommends doing it.

To do it you bend over a bit, walk flat-footed with your feet pointed out slightly, and well — shuffle like a penguin!

Once it was confirmed to be a real thing, Chittock said it is "the most Canadian thing" she's ever heard.

Other people in the TikTok comments suggested crampons, good winter boots, and even embracing the fall.

"Once you do one big fall, you're set for the rest of the winter," one person wrote.

The iconic penguin walk was definitely a popular suggestion though.

"Penguin walk 100%. Learn it, live it, love it."

This wasn't the first time Chittock was hit with the realities of Alberta winter. Other TikToks she's made document her experience adjusting to the weather — and it doesn't seem all that fun.

@sophiechittock

Happy happy happy 🙃 #canada #calgary #yyccalgary #canada_life🇨🇦 #canadatiktok #canadiangirl #canadiantiktok #canadawinter #yyctiktok #yycgirls

She's learning though!

@sophiechittock

Lessons were learnt today #canada #calgary #yyccalgary #canada_life🇨🇦 #canadatiktok #canadiangirl #canadiantiktok #canadawinter #yyctiktok #yycgirls

Good luck out there, to all those attempting to brave the icy sidewalks. The good news is, summer is almost here.

  • Editor

    Morgan Leet (she/her) is an Editor for Narcity Media Group. After graduating from Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication, she jumped into fulfilling her dream as a journalist, merging her passion for travelling with writing. She got her start working in the print media world on Canada’s East Coast, then joined Narcity with a move to B.C., leading the launch of West Coast coverage. Her focus now is managing a large group of freelance writers, bringing human-forward and opinion content to the site.

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