Month guide · Banff · Canada
Banff in March
What March is really like in Banff: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: 5of7, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
March is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 3°C (37°F), lows of -10°C (14°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 11.7 hours of daylight. Spring skiing on deep bases and sunnier days; trails in town start to clear.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 3°C (37°F) / -10°C (14°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 11.7 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in March
March is the 8th-warmest month in Banff: days average 3°C (37°F) against a yearly average high of 9°C (48°F), and nights fall to about -10°C (14°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with February (-2°C (28°F)), March is warmer; by April highs climb to around 8°C (46°F).
- Sunrise (15 March)
- About 07:56
- Sunset (15 March)
- About 19:47
- Daylight
- About 11.7 hours
Spring (March–May). Spring skiing until May, then a muddy thaw in the valleys while high lakes stay frozen; quiet and good value.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, March rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in March
March has no major recurring festival in Banff, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in March
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Nature · Spray Avenue and the Banff Springs
Bow Falls
Combine with the Hoodoos trail or the Surprise Corner viewpoint for the classic view of the Banff Springs.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
Nature · Tunnel Mountain
Tunnel Mountain hike
A switchbacking trail of a little over 2 km each way climbs the small mountain right beside the town to a summit with views over Banff Avenue, the Bow Valley and the Banff Springs.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Outdoors
- Kids
Nature · Lake Louise
Lake Agnes Teahouse and Plain of Six Glaciers
Carry cash for the teahouses and start early; the trails get crowded by late morning.
- Time needed
- 3–5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Nature
Viewpoint · Downtown Banff
Vermilion Lakes
A string of shallow wetland lakes just west of town, reached by a quiet road and cycling route.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- Couples
- Nature
What to pack
For highs near 3°C, lows near -10°C and 10 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is March a good time to visit Banff?
A shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, June–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Banff in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is March a good time to visit Banff?
It is a shoulder-season month. Spring skiing on deep bases and sunnier days; trails in town start to clear.
+How warm is Banff in March?
Average highs are around 3°C (37°F) and lows around -10°C (14°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Banff in March?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.