Canada, North America

Banff in December

Ski season builds and the town looks like a snow globe. The holiday weeks around Christmas and New Year spike prices.

GoodCold, highs near 25F (-4C), short days

Moraine Lake, Banff National Park — BanffPhoto: Tobias Alt, Tobi 87, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

December is a good month to visit Banff. Ski season builds and the town looks like a snow globe. The holiday weeks around Christmas and New Year spike prices.

Weather: Cold, highs near 25F (-4C), short days
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What December is like in Banff

December is cold and snowy, with highs near 25F (-4C) and very short days. Ski season builds through the month, and the town looks like a snow globe with lights and fresh snow. Early December is fairly quiet and good value. The holiday weeks around Christmas and New Year's are another story, with prices spiking and lodging selling out.

This month suits skiers, families who dream of a white Christmas, and couples on a cozy winter trip. It is not the time for hiking or the turquoise lakes. For those, come back in the second half of June through September.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Banff this month.

A snowy holiday season

Banff town, with snowy streets and mountains all around, is one of the best places in North America for a white Christmas.

Early ski season

Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, and Norquay are running, and early December slopes are quiet.

The first skating on Lake Louise

Once the ice is thick enough, rinks are cleared on the frozen lake in front of the Chateau. It depends on conditions.

What to pack for December

A serious insulated winter parka
Thermal base layers
Insulated winter boots and ice cleats
Warm gloves, a hat, and a neck warmer

Our timing tip

Book the first two weeks of December for quiet slopes and fair rates, or book the holiday weeks many months ahead.

Book Banff for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Banff
Opens a hotel search for Banff in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Banff
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Banff
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Banff for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in December

Frozen Lake Louise skating

Roughly December to March, conditions permitting

Cleared rinks on the frozen lake in front of the Chateau, plus the ice sculptures of the winter season.

Ski season

November into May, peak January to March

Sunshine Village and Lake Louise often run one of the longest seasons in Canada.

Things to do in Banff

Full guide

Moraine Lake

No personal vehicles, ever. Book a Parks Canada shuttle seat when reservations open in spring, or take a licensed operator's sunrise tour.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Lake Louise and the Lake Agnes Tea House hike

The lakeshore is mobbed by 10am in summer. The climb to the Lake Agnes Tea House, open in the warm season, earns a quieter view and a cup of tea.

Tickets and tours →

Icefields Parkway

Budget a full day with stops at Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, and the Columbia Icefield. Winter driving demands snow tires and there are almost no services.

Tickets and tours →

Banff Gondola

Eight minutes to the top of Sulphur Mountain and a boardwalk across the ridge. Open year-round; go at opening or near sunset.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Larch Valley and Sentinel Pass

The classic larch hike from Moraine Lake in the second half of September. Group-hiking restrictions can apply when bears are active; check trail status.

Tickets and tours →

Johnston Canyon

Catwalks bolted to the canyon wall lead to the Lower and Upper Falls. In winter, guided ice walks visit the frozen falls.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Reserve Parks Canada shuttle seats the day reservations open in spring; a share of seats is also released two days before departure, which rescues flexible travelers.
Be at Lake Louise before 8am or after 6pm in summer. The midday lakeshore is a crowd; the evening light is better anyway.
Stay in Canmore, 20 minutes east and outside the park, for more lodging choice, lower prices, and easier parking than Banff town.
Swap the headline lakes for equally good ones: Bow Lake, Lake Minnewanka, and Emerald Lake over in Yoho take far less planning.

Know before you go

Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles year-round. It is open to shuttles and permitted operators roughly June to mid October, then closes for winter entirely. Check Parks Canada's current season dates before planning.
Parks Canada shuttles to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake run roughly mid May to mid October and require reservations. Lake Louise lakeshore parking is paid May to October and usually full by early morning in summer.
The lakes are typically frozen from November to late May or early June. A May trip will not deliver the turquoise photos, whatever the calendar says.
Many high trails hold snow into July, and some trails carry seasonal restrictions for bear activity. Check trail reports before committing to a hike.

Banff in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit Banff?

December is a good month to visit Banff. Ski season builds and the town looks like a snow globe. The holiday weeks around Christmas and New Year spike prices.

What is the weather like in Banff in December?

Cold, highs near 25F (-4C), short days.

Is Banff crowded in December?

Crowds in Banff are moderate in December; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in Banff in December?

Frozen Lake Louise skating (roughly december to march, conditions permitting); Ski season (november into may, peak january to march).