When to Go to Banff NP & the Canadian Rockies

When to Go to Banff NP & the Canadian Rockies

The main attractions in the Rockies can get crowded in summer, so try to reach them early in the day if you want to avoid the crush. If hiking is your passion, remember that high-altitude trails may be snow-covered well into June. Animals are more common before the July crowds arrive, although you are still certain to see plenty in midsummer. In winter, although the bears are hibernating, you can still see elk and bighorn sheep, which often forage for food near the roads and meadows in the valleys. Wildflowers, especially in the alpine meadows, reach their peak from early July to mid-August.

In the Rockies there's the year-round possibility of snow, although in summer it's usually only at higher altitudes. The weather is best during the mid-June to mid-September period, but you can avoid crowds and make substantial savings on lodgings by scheduling your visit outside this period. Compare rates, though, as many hotel operators are now aware that they can keep rates high from mid-May to early October and still fill their rooms.