How to start a fire the old-fashioned way

The rustic fire-starting set by local knife-making studio Helve Haft and Handle may not be as easy to use as a Bic lighter, but it can start a fire—and impress a hibernating lumbersexual—in a snap. The kit, handmade by Maritime-bred artist and company founder Stephen Fisher, includes a steel striker and a rod made of the spark-producing alloy ferrocerium (a slightly less caveman-like combo than flint and steel), plus a block of resinous pine for kindling. It’s hands-down the woodsiest way to build a bonfire. $25. Helvehaftandhandle.com.

The Winter Hater's Guide to Loving Winter

Food & Drink

How to get a taste of the tropics without leaving Toronto

Secret no. 1 to making the most of the city this chilly season

City

Where to trade in your snow tires for a team of huskies

Secret no. 2 to making the most of the city this chilly season

Style

How to dress as cozy as Drake in “Hotline Bling”

Secret no. 3 to making the most of the city this chilly season

City

How to bike through the winter in comfort and style

Secret no. 4 to making the most of the city this chilly season

Style

Where to soak up the seaside in a suburban salt cave

Secret no. 5 to making the most of the city this chilly season

Style

How to avoid wearing boots all winter

Secret no. 6 to making the most of the city this chilly season

Food & Drink

How to warm up with winter beers

Secret no. 7 to making the most of the city this chilly season

Food & Drink

Where to take a wintery weekend road trip

Secret no. 8 to making the most of the city this chilly season

Food & Drink

Where to thaw out with the city’s best seafood soups

Secret no. 9 to making the most of the city this chilly season

City

Where to ice fish in style

Secret no. 10 to making the most of the city this chilly season

Style

How to keep your kids crazy-warm, thanks to a full-frontal parka

Secret no. 11 to making the most of the city this chilly season

City

How to surf Lake Ontario when the weather’s sub-zero

Secret no. 12 to making the most of the city this chilly season

Food & Drink

Where to hunker down for hotpot

Secret no. 14 to making the most of the city this chilly season

Style

Where to get a DIY yurt that’ll put snow caves to shame

Secret no. 15 to making the most of the city this chilly season