Month guide · Banff · Canada
Banff in November
What November is really like in Banff: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diannaa, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
November is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 1°C (34°F), lows of -9°C (16°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 8.8 hours of daylight. The quietest month for crowds and prices; ski resorts usually open during the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 1°C (34°F) / -9°C (16°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 8.8 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Lowest
Weather in November
November is the 9th-warmest month in Banff: days average 1°C (34°F) against a yearly average high of 9°C (48°F), and nights fall to about -9°C (16°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 30 days. Compared with October (9°C (48°F)), November is cooler; by December highs drop to around -5°C (23°F).
- Sunrise (15 November)
- About 09:00
- Sunset (15 November)
- About 17:55
- Daylight
- About 8.8 hours
Autumn (September–November). Larch gold in late September, crisp days and thinning crowds, then early snow and quiet November rates.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, November rates 2 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 1 for hotel prices (highest in July). That makes November one of the better-value months to book.
Events in November
- Ski season opening at Norquay, Sunshine and Lake Louise (usually November)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in November
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Experience · Bow Valley Parkway
Bow Valley Parkway drive
Part of the parkway has seasonal restrictions to protect wildlife; check Parks Canada before planning a dawn or dusk drive.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Views
- Photo spot
Experience · Spray Avenue and the Banff Springs
Banff Upper Hot Springs
A heritage bathhouse on Sulphur Mountain with an outdoor pool fed by natural hot springs at around 37–40°C, looking across to Mount Rundle.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Couples
- Kids
- Views
- Rainy day
Architecture · Spray Avenue and the Banff Springs
Fairmont Banff Springs
Afternoon tea or a drink in the lounge is the easiest way to see inside without staying.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Couples
- Rainy day
Historic site · Spray Avenue and the Banff Springs
Cave and Basin National Historic Site
The thermal springs found here by railway workers in 1883 led to the creation of Canada's first national park in 1885.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Nature
What to pack
For highs near 1°C, lows near -9°C and 11 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 November a good time to visit Banff?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, June–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Banff in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is November a good time to visit Banff?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. The quietest month for crowds and prices; ski resorts usually open during the month.
+How warm is Banff in November?
Average highs are around 1°C (34°F) and lows around -9°C (16°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Banff in November?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.