Montreal winters are a bit extreme. That said, the top of Mont Royal after a fresh snow fall is a magical place.

They're only a bit worse than Toronto winters, and Toronto is attracting lots of tech from the States. It's not the main problem. Though I guess people who tolerate very cold weather climates may not correlate much with people who enjoy French as the main local language?

Missing winters is one thing, being obligated to wear full winter gear for 4 months a year is another.

4 months only? I like your optimism. :)

I don't know for sure either way - I only arrived at the end of February, and last winter was unusually intense and long in both Montreal and the northeast US where I was just before.

Still, if it is just 4 months, that's pretty close to canonical season length!

They offer lots of coping mechanisms too like the underground city in the downtown core and good home heating, plus lots of outdoor and indoor activities to make the winter enjoyable.