Best Time Of Year To Visit Banff
The Pros and Cons of Each Season
Banff National Park is an amazing corner of the world and worthy of a visit anytime of the year! This beautiful mountain town has some of the best scenery, incredible hiking and world class skiing.
When it comes to planning a trip to Banff or the Canadian Rockies, many people question when the best time to visit is. Today we are going to explore the various seasons and their unique charm to help you determine the best time to experience the beauty of Canada. Whether you're into vibrant fall foliage, snowy landscapes or warm summer adventures, you’ll find everything you need below.
I've lived in the Canadian Rockies for the past few years so the information below is tailored to life in the mountains, but of course, will still be applicable to other parts of Canada for the most part!
Let's explore the pros and cons of each season so you know when to visit next.
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Emerald Lake, Late May
Summer (June - September)
Experience Canada at its liveliest during the summer months. Enjoy endless daylight hours, incredible outdoor activities and breathtaking natural landscapes. From hiking in the Rockies to whale watching on the coasts, summer is brimming with adventure.
Pros:
Weather is likely to be the nicest and most consistent in summer! If you are coming to the Rockies you still need to be prepared for all conditions, but summer will be your warmest and most sunny months.
Summer is when you have the opportunity to experience the magical turquoise lakes of the Canadian Rockies. These beautiful locations are frozen for most of the year so the summer months are when they truly shine.
If Moraine Lake is on your bucket list, a visit during summer will be essential to see this destination as the lake is inaccessible from October to June. For extra information about visiting Moraine Lake and the best shuttle provider to take you there, make sure you visit my full guide here and book with The Moraine Lake Bus Company here.
There are lots of great tour options during these months!
There are exceptionally long daylight hours meaning more time to explore.
Public transport runs regularly and to most places in summer! In winter, a few of the public transport routes don't operate so summer is a great time to visit if you're not planning on having a vehicle.
There are great local markets and events happening!
Cons:
July and August are two of the busiest months in the Canadian Rockies.
Accommodation is going to be the most expensive!
The National Park gets extremely busy and overcrowded.
You may need to make reservations at restaurants in advance or be prepared to wait on a waitlist.
Tours will sell out so you may need to book in advance.
Parking in town can be a nightmare with crowds!
There is risk of wildfires or wildfire smoke affecting your trip.
Fall/Autumn (September - December)
Fall in the Canadian Rockies is stunning. This is a great time to visit as the crowds start to thin, the autumn colors start to show and snow begins to fall. Weather in these months will be mild and start getting cooler the later it gets.
Pros:
Fall = Larch Season. If you haven't heard of a larch tree, it is essentially a rare type of pine tree that is not evergreen, unlike the rest, but instead the larch needles change from green to gold over a very specific window in late September/early October. There are so many beautiful hikes in the area that showcase the foliage, and it is such a privilege to see. Larch Valley, Saddle Mountain and Arnica Lake are some of my favorites for the foliage.
You may get the opportunity to see snow without the weather becoming too cold.
If you are interested in skiing or snowboarding, there are great opportunities for early season riding starting from November. This often means less crowds at the resort and more space on the runs.
Fall is a great time for wildlife spotting. There are so many beautiful animals, including elk, deer, bears, wolves etc that are actively preparing for winter and may be spotted at this time.
Accommodation will be cheaper in shoulder season.
Tourism levels reduce in the fall and there will be less demand for reservations, parking spaces and more open trails.
Icefields Parkway in Fall
Cons:
Fall weather can be unpredictable and you will need to prepare for the possibility of both sun and snow!
You will need to carefully plan your trip if you are relying on tour or transport options. During these months the tour and public transport companies switch from a summer to winter schedule and some things on your itinerary may become inaccessible.
You will need winter tires if you’re coming to the national park from 1 October, this could result in extra cost.
If you are visiting after the October long weekend, you won't be able to visit Moraine Lake as it closes for the winter season.
Winter (December - March)
Winter is such a beautiful time in the Canadian Rockies, as snowfall blankets the town there are so many winter activities waiting to be discovered. if you are coming from a country that does not experience a white winter then it’s even more magical! There’s still so much to do in winter from skiing, snowboarding, tubing, visiting frozen lakes, or seeing frozen waterfalls that you will be spoilt for choice.
Bear Street, Banff National Park
Pros:
Canada has incredible skiing and snowboarding opportunities with some of the best snow in the world. If you wanna come to the Canadian Rockies and Banff specifically we have three resorts all within 40 minutes of town. They offer some of the best champagne powder snow and excellent riding.
If skiing or snowboarding is not your thing, tubing is such a fun activity you can do with a family or if you’re coming by yourself. Essentially you just sit on a big inflatable tube and go down a snowy hill and it’s so much fun! It's also a great way to get a taste of the ski resort experience without skiing.
Winter hiking is incredible and there are so many opportunities to visit frozen canyons, see frozen waterfalls and wander through snowy valleys. My favourite guided experience is the Maligne Canyon Ice Walk in Jasper. For an option closer to Banff, check out Johnston Canyon. This can be completed independently or on a guided hike if you choose!
There are wonderful opportunities to go ice skating. From man made rinks to frozen lakes, there are so many opportunities to glide along the ice you won't want to miss. Read my ‘Full Guide on Ice Skating in Banff’ for more info!
This is a great time to slow down and enjoy the cozy season with hot chocolate, community events and warming up by the fire.
There is an increased chance of seeing the Northern Lights in winter as we have the most dark sky hours.
You can go dog sledding, snowmobiling or even heli-skiing which are great Canadian winter activities.
Cons:
Winter in Canada can be harsh. It can be extremely cold with temperatures getting as low as -40. That is not a common consistent range, but it will be below zero pretty much the whole time. This means if you’re traveling at this time of year, you will need to pack more layers and make sure you are adequately prepared for the temperatures. Additionally if the temperatures get too low, ski resorts close and activities may not run which could affect your plans.
The daylight hours are a lot shorter during winter, which means there is less time to explore and participate in activities. During the peak of winter (December), daylight usually lasts between 9 AM and 4:30 PM.
There are less options at this time of year for public transport routes and tours. While there are still plenty of great offerings, the reduced schedule is something to be mindful of when planning your activities.
All the lakes freeze and you won't be able to see the beautiful blue water of the Canadian Rockies. If you come in early winter, there is the potential to see these gorgeous areas before they freeze, but usually most lakes are frozen by December or early January.
Moraine Lake is not accessible in these months.
Spring (March - June)
The best of both worlds! Experience a taste of both winter and summer in these months. With the ski resorts still open but winter slowly retreating you’ll be able to witness the park slowly reawakening. Explore nearby trails, head out on scenic drives, and capture the beauty of the Rockies while enjoying mostly pleasant temperatures.
Pros:
Spring is an amazing time to come and see snow while still having warmer weather. You might get a variety of weather conditions, which could be a great way to see it all while you’re here.
Spring is often less crowded in Banff National Park as we gradually swap over from winter back to summer operations.
You can still ski and snowboard right up until May long weekend which produced some incredible spring skiing conditions in the Rockies.
These months are when the wildlife starts reemerging and it’s a great time to potentially spot some of the beautiful creatures that live in the park.
Accommodation will be cheaper in Spring as this falls over the shoulder season months (May/June).
This is a great time to see waterfalls at their peak as the surrounding snow melts feeding into the waterways!
Summer activities will become available towards the end of this season.
Cons:
As spring is shoulder season, you will need to check availability of tours and activities as they swap schedules from winter to summer.
Weather will be unpredictable and you will need to pack for both snow and sun.
Lakes will likely still be frozen until the end of spring so you may not get to see the beautiful blue waters.
Limited camping options.
Winter road closures may extend into Spring limiting your chance to see places like Moraine Lake, Takakkaw Falls etc.
Grassi Lakes, Canmore
Ultimately, the best time to visit depends on your personal preferences and desired experiences.
September and October would be my ideal months to visit if you want to experience summer-like weather, beat the crowds and have access to amazing trails before the snow falls!
Still looking for accommodation?
Banff has an amazing variety of hotels, motels and lodging options for your visit. I use booking.com to find the best deals!
My top choices would be the Hotel Canoe, Fairmont Banff Springs, Mount Royal or the Moose Hotel!
Happy trip planning!
