We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
From nature lovers to adrenaline junkies looking to conquer the ski slopes, Banff is a treat for everyone. With three ski resorts and plenty of wildlife sightings all year round, the best time to go is highly dependent on what you want to see or do.
The best time to visit Banff
The best time to visit Banff is in September, when you can avoid the crowds and the high prices but still enjoy fantastic weather.
If skiing is your activity of choice, December-April is the snow season, though travelling earlier or later during this season will save you a pretty penny.
Travellers on a budget can mosey their way on in during the shoulder seasons of September-November and May-June.
And if you're after warm weather and long daylight hours, make your trip between July and August.
Overview
Banff is a year-round destination, but there are four distinct seasons to make it easier to decide when the best time for you to visit is.
Winter: This falls between November and May and is when the ski resorts are open. If you're not a skier, this is also the time when the lakes are frozen enough to skate on.
Summer: Like with the rest of the country, this is June to August is the busiest and most expensive time to travel to Banff. In return, you get to enjoy crisp weather and up to 16 hours of daylight.
Spring and autumn: These seasons fall between May and June and September and October respectively. We recommend visiting in September when the school year begins and the weather is still enjoyable for outdoor activities.
Camping: Camping is a summer activity and most campgrounds get booked up quickly once they open, which is around the third weekend of May. Plan ahead for the best deals.
Wildlife: You can spot wildlife all year round but we recommend coming in late May and early June for the elk, deer and sheep calving seasons.
Skiing: Ski season starts from mid-November until the end of May. We recommend hitting the slopes in March, as you get more daylight hours and the best snow conditions.
Northern Lights: Your best bet to catch the elusive Northern Lights is during the dark, clear nights between February and April. Just head away from the city and be patient.
Hiking: July to September is perfect for hiking as this is when the trails are free of snow and mud. The weather is pleasant and there are fewer mosquitoes.
Ice skating: Outdoor ice skating on lakes is possible from November or the beginning of December when the lakes are frozen but the weather is clear of snowfall.
Available on select dates when you stay a minimum of 3 nights. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Auckland, Paris, London and more. T&Cs apply.
Valid on select hotel stays worldwide like Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Thailand, USA, Europe and more on all dates, including over holidays like Easter, Christmas and New Year's Eve. Some restrictions apply.
Available on select travel dates with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select travel dates with Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and more. Destinations include Bahamas, USA, Canada, Spain, Italy and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on select dates in 2021 and 2022. Destinations include Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, Spain, Greece, Croatia, Balkans, Jordan, Russia, India and Ski Bansko. T&Cs apply.
Available on select dates until 2021 when you book for 12 persons. Destinations include Peru, Croatia, Maldives, Switzerland, Greece and more. T&Cs apply.
Valid on select dates and destinations worldwide. Destinations include USA, Canada, Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, Sydney, and the Czech Republic. T&C's apply.
Rentalcars.com can help you compare major car hire company rates for the best price. Companies it compares include Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Thrifty, Alamo, Dollar and Budget. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Canada and more.
Available for travel on select dates in December 2020 onward. Discount applies when booking three trips at once. Extra 5% off for bookings of four trips and more. Destinations include Balkan, Ireland, Britain, Thailand, Canada, Egypt, Japan, South Africa, Athens and more. T&Cs apply.
Available on your first Trip.com pre-paid hotel booking. Discount available worldwide including in Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Thailand, Fiji, US, UK and more.
Available on select dates. Programs include sea turtle and marine conservation, wild life research, volunteer with children, elephants and more. Sample price is for a volunteer on construction project in Nepal.
Munyee Lau is a travel writer at Finder. Her passions include writing about lifestyle and food and creating viral videos.
She was previously the country manager of MGAG for 3 years and has an insatiable love for dogs and breaking the Internet.
One in four (25%) Australians are worried about how they will pay the rent or mortgage after Christmas, according to new research by Finder, Australia’s most visited comparison site. Find out how the Finder App can help save you money in 2021.
From coastal tracks to national parks, river cruises to white water rafting, Victoria has it all, so why not make your next family holiday a local one?
Australians are set to spend millions on staying warm this winter, new research by Finder, Australia’s most visited comparison site, reveals. Find out how to save on your energy bill.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We compare from a wide set of banks, insurers and product issuers. We value our editorial independence and follow editorial guidelines.
finder.com.au has access to track details from the product issuers listed on our sites. Although we provide information on the products offered by a wide range of issuers, we don't cover every available product or service.
Please note that the information published on our site should not be construed as personal advice and does not consider your personal needs and circumstances. While our site will provide you with factual information and general advice to help you make better decisions, it isn't a substitute for professional advice. You should consider whether the products or services featured on our site are appropriate for your needs. If you're unsure about anything, seek professional advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan.
Products marked as 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money here.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labelling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
Providing or obtaining an estimated insurance quote through us does not guarantee you can get the insurance. Acceptance by insurance companies is based on things like occupation, health and lifestyle. By providing you with the ability to apply for a credit card or loan, we are not guaranteeing that your application will be approved. Your application for credit products is subject to the Provider's terms and conditions as well as their application and lending criteria.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.