Match the season to your plans
Banff has four clear seasons with different services. Summer brings the shuttles and the open trails. Winter brings skiing. Spring and autumn are the in-between months, with some lifts, shuttles and trails closed.
In 2026 the Lake Louise shuttle ran from 15 May to 12 October and the Moraine Lake shuttle from 1 June to 12 October. Skiing is planned from 6 November. A trip in the second half of October therefore has neither summer shuttles nor open ski lifts.
Banff weather by month
Average daily high and low and total precipitation, 1991 to 2020, for the Banff valley.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Precipitation mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -3.5 | -13.5 | 18.8 |
| February | -0.5 | -12.6 | 18.6 |
| March | 3.7 | -8.2 | 29.3 |
| April | 9.0 | -3.5 | 39.2 |
| May | 14.3 | 0.5 | 50.0 |
| June | 17.9 | 4.4 | 73.3 |
| July | 22.5 | 6.8 | 46.9 |
| August | 22.1 | 5.8 | 46.9 |
| September | 16.7 | 2.2 | 44.9 |
| October | 9.1 | -2.4 | 35.8 |
| November | 0.6 | -8.2 | 27.8 |
| December | -4.6 | -13.4 | 22.5 |
These are monthly averages of daily highs and lows, not records. Precipitation is total water, including snow, not only rain. The values describe the valley around Banff town. Lake Louise and the mountain passes are higher, so expect different conditions there.
Seasonal tours and day trips from Banff
Sightseeing, wildlife and day trips for every season, with live prices and availability.
Banff season by season
What to expect and what to check.
Winter, December to February
January is the coldest month, with highs of -3.5 °C and lows of -13.5 °C on average. Skiing is planned from 6 November 2026 at Sunshine and Lake Louise and from 7 November at Norquay. From October to May the Icefields Parkway has no road maintenance between 15:30 and 07:00, and winter tyres are required.
Banff skiing guide →Spring, March to May
April averages a high of 9.0 °C but a low of -3.5 °C. The Bow Valley Parkway east of Johnston Canyon (17 km) is closed for all activities from 1 March to 25 June. High passes are often snowy until the end of June, and snow falls in summer too.
Summer, June to August
June is the wettest month, with 73.3 mm. July is the warmest. Lakes on the Icefields Parkway are usually thawed by the end of June, and alpine trails are mostly snow-free from mid-July. The main backcountry season is July and August. Lake Louise shuttle seats were released in two parts in 2026: 40 percent when booking opened and the rest two days before each trip at 08:00 MDT.
Banff hikes →Autumn, September to October
Golden larches turn at higher elevations in late September, for example around Healy Pass, though no exact peak date can be promised. The elk rut warning runs from 28 August to 31 October 2026, with a minimum distance of 30 m from elk. The summer shuttles ended on 12 October.
Wildlife and safe viewing →Late October and November in 2026
A short guide to the gap between seasons.
Closed or reduced
Johnston Canyon is closed from 13 October to 11 December 2026. The Upper Hot Springs are closed for maintenance from 13 October until early November. Cave and Basin opens Thursday to Monday from 11:00 to 17:00 from 16 October to 14 May, and is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Still running
The Banff Gondola runs daily from 10:00 to 21:00 from 13 October to 19 November, with the last ride up at 19:30. The Brewster Express winter plan starts on 1 November 2026.
Banff Gondola guide →Park pass fees
The free-entry summer period ran from 19 June to 7 September 2026. Regular fees apply again since 8 September: CAD 12.25 per day for adults and CAD 24.50 for a family or group.
Park pass guide →Warming up
Once the Upper Hot Springs reopen, the water is kept at 37 to 40 °C. Regular hours are daily from 10:00 to 22:00, with the last entry at 21:30. Admission is paid at the door and cannot be reserved.
Hot springs guide →Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that help you choose a month.
Best time to visit Banff: frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Banff?
July and August are the warmest months, with highs around 22 °C, and the shuttles, lakes and trails are mostly open then. Skiers should plan for November to spring.
When do the lakes thaw?
Lakes along the Icefields Parkway are usually thawed by the end of June. The shuttle season does not mean the lakes are free of ice.
When is the ski season in Banff?
The planned start for 2026/27 is 6 November 2026 at Sunshine and Lake Louise and 7 November 2026 at Norquay, depending on the weather.
When do the larches turn gold?
Around Healy Pass they turn in late September. The exact peak changes from year to year.
When do the Upper Hot Springs reopen?
They are closed for maintenance from 13 October until early November 2026. Check the date before you plan around it.
What is the rainiest month?
June, with an average of 73.3 mm of precipitation in the Banff valley.
Is Banff worth visiting in late October?
Yes, but with limits. The summer shuttles have ended, Johnston Canyon is closed and skiing has not started. The gondola runs daily until 19 November.