Best time to visit · Banff · Canada
The best time to visit Banff
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Kimpayant, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The best time to visit Banff for lakes and hiking is late June to mid-September, when Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are thawed and turquoise and all trails are open; early September brings fewer crowds and golden larches follow later in the month. For skiing, December to March is best. Late April, May and late October to November are shoulder months with frozen lakes, muddy trails and some closures.
Key facts
- Best months
- June–September
- Shoulder season
- December–March
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 22°C (72°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high -5°C (23°F))
- Rainiest month
- June (~15 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- November
Seasons
Banff sits at about 1,380 metres, with cold, snowy winters and short, mild summers with cool nights. Weather changes quickly in the mountains; Lake Louise is a few degrees colder than Banff town, and high lakes such as Moraine stay frozen until late May or June.
March–May
Spring
Spring skiing until May, then a muddy thaw in the valleys while high lakes stay frozen; quiet and good value.
June–August
Summer
Turquoise lakes, open hiking trails, teahouses and shuttles; very busy, with high prices and full parking lots.
September–November
Autumn
Larch gold in late September, crisp days and thinning crowds, then early snow and quiet November rates.
December–February
Winter
Three ski resorts, skating on Lake Louise, ice walks in Johnston Canyon and the hot springs in the snow; very cold.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -5°C | -15°C | 11 | 8.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| February | -2°C | -14°C | 9 | 9.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| March | 3°C | -10°C | 10 | 11.7 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 8°C | -4°C | 10 | 13.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| May | 14°C | 1°C | 13 | 15.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 19°C | 5°C | 15 | 16.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 22°C | 7°C | 13 | 16.1 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 22°C | 6°C | 12 | 14.6 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| September | 16°C | 2°C | 11 | 12.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 9°C | -2°C | 10 | 10.6 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| November | 1°C | -9°C | 11 | 8.8 h | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| December | -5°C | -14°C | 11 | 7.9 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Ice Magic Festival — ice-carving competition at Lake Louise (usually mid-to-late January); SnowDays — winter festival with ice sculptures in Banff (usually January) |
| July | Canada Day parade and celebrations in Banff (1 July) |
| September | Larch season (usually mid-to-late September) |
| October | Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival (usually late October to early November) |
| November | Ski season opening at Norquay, Sunshine and Lake Louise (usually November) |
| December | Christmas and New Year festivities in town and at the Fairmont hotels |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in November, and the sights are quietest in April and October–November.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Banff?
The best time to visit Banff for lakes and hiking is late June to mid-September, when Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are thawed and turquoise and all trails are open; early September brings fewer crowds and golden larches follow later in the month. For skiing, December to March is best. Late April, May and late October to November are shoulder months with frozen lakes, muddy trails and some closures.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Banff?
Usually in November. The quietest month for crowds and prices; ski resorts usually open during the month.
+What is the rainiest month in Banff?
June, with about 15 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Banff get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 22°C (72°F) and lows of 7°C (45°F).