Banff, Canada: When to Go and Weather

Weather: Banff is located at high altitude in the Canadian Rockies. The area's climate is influenced by several factors. Due to its latitude, the sun hits the ground at an oblique versus direct angle, meaning the temperatures aren't as warm as they might be at a different latitude. Humid air from the Pacific Ocean and the high mountains of the Continental Divide also contribute to Banff's highly variable climate, which is characterized by warm, relatively dry summers and extremely cold, snowy winters.

Summer: Summer is beautiful in Banff with warm temperatures, low humidity, and exceptionally long daylight hours (at the end of June, the sun is still shining at 10:30 p.m.). The average temperature is 70 degrees and the average monthly rainfall is 10.5 inches.

Fall: Banff weather is generally pleasant in autumn, with warm afternoons, shorter daylight hours, and cooler, windy evenings. At night, the temperatures can drop to freezing. The average temperature is 35 degrees and the average monthly rainfall is 9 inches.

Winter: Snowfall begins in November and doesn't quit for months. Banff weather varies a lot at this time, featuring both 'chinooks,' or periods when warm winds blow through, and icy cold spells when the temperature falls well below freezing. The average temperature is 10 degrees and the average monthly rainfall is 8 inches.

Spring: Although the high mountain snow doesn't melt until the middle of summer, Banff's lower elevations enjoy warmer spring weather and light rain showers from April through June. The end of spring and the start of summer bring the most rain to Banff. The average temperature is 45 degrees and the average monthly precipitation is 9.5 inches.

Local sources for weather, including ski conditions, can be found at www.banff.com/weather. and www.digitalbanff.com.

When to Go: Peak Season
Summertime is peak season in Banff. Outdoor enthusiasts swarm the national park, taking advantage of the warm weather for biking, camping, hiking, and rock-climbing. Although June is the rainiest month of the year in Banff, July and August are drier and more comfortable. Banff's famous wildflowers are also in full bloom at this time. Hotels and resorts around the national park are often full at this time, as are campsites, so it's best to plan ahead - the park is so big that you're unlikely to notice how many visitors are in town, but you'll be more than aware of the crowds when you return to the hotel at night.

When to Go: Off Season
Winter can be brutally cold and snowy in Banff, but real adventurers don't mind: January and February are great for skiing and snowboarding on the mountain trails. The hotel rates don't go down in winter as much as in other destinations because so many snow-related sports draw visitors to the national park, but you may save some cash on accommodations if you travel outside the major winter holidays. Again, you'll see crowds at the ski lift, but you'll still feel like you have the place to yourself when you get up into the mountains. Frequent snow keeps the slopes stocked with fresh powder.

When to Go: Shoulder Season
May through June and September through October are shoulder seasons in Banff. Hotel rates are usually more reasonable at this time (sometimes even in comparison with the ski season rates) and fewer travelers enter the national park during spring and fall. Banff weather can be unpredictable, but as long as you bring rain gear and plenty of clothes for both warm and cold weather, you'll be able to enjoy the park's outdoor attractions most days. Note that June is the rainiest month in Banff, and perhaps not the best possible time to visit, but September is usually warm and comparatively dry.

• Sun

   

  Snow Showers

  39  25

• Mon

   

  Snow Showers

  38  15

• Tue

   

  Partly Cloudy

  29  12

• Wed

   

  Mostly Sunny

  29  15

• Thu

   

  Partly Cloudy

  30  18

• Fri

   

  Snow Showers

  26  7

• Sat

   

  Snow Showers

  24  5

Get more information on Banff weather.