Vintage photos of Toronto in the winter offer a reminder that snow, ice, and cold temperatures have always been a crucial part of the experience of living in this city.

There might be fewer ice boats today, but we still try to make the most of the harsh season by tobogganing in our parks, skating on Grenadier Pond, and heading down to the frozen harbour. 

While we continue to get a mix of major snowstorms and warmer days, there's something about the sight of hundreds of people going down tobogganing runs in High Park that is rather exhilarating. 

Behold, what winter looked like in Toronto a century ago. 

12-horse team pulling snow sweeper, 1890s.

That's a lot of coal! Toronto skyline in 1904.

Sleighing at Queen's Park in 1906. 

Snowy University Avenue 1908. You can see Queens Park peeking out in the background. 

High Park toboggan runs circa 1910. 

Ice fishing, Centre Island 1909. 

An apparently huge toboggan at Christie Pits in 1909. 

Parking at the Old City Hall quadrangle in 1910.

Kew Beach in 1911. 

Snowball fight in Rosedale Ravine back in 1912. 

A propeller sled! Toronto Bay in 1912.

A frozen pier near the Eastern Gap in 1912.

Ice-encased church post-fire on Carleton Street 1912. 

Ice boats on the harbour in 1912. 

Hockey at Christie Pits in 1912. 

High Park in 1913. 

High Park tobogganing in 1914. 

High Park toboggan runs in 1914. 

Wychwood Barns in 1915. 

Trinity College Gates in 1916. 

Bloor Viaduct under construction in 1917. 

A frozen and very industrial-looking Toronto Bay in 1920.

Ice boats in front of the Harbour Commission Building in 1920.

Glen Road bus in 1923. 

Snow plough in 1924. 

Snowstorm on Richmond Street in 1929. 

Snowy Casa Loma in 1936. 

Snow blower at night in 1943. 

The great snowstorm of 1944.

Looking up Bay St. during the great snowstorm of 1944. 

Snowstorm at John and King 1961 (can that driver see out of the back window?).