Banff in December: Here’s ALL You Need to Know

Banff in December is one of the best times of the year to visit the Canadian Rockies. If you are into winter, snow, and hot chocolate, that is. December in Banff is the most magical time of year. You are almost guaranteed a white Christmas, so if that is what you are after, then consider Banff and the Canadian Rockies a top holiday vacation choice.

If you ski or snowboard, you’ll also love visiting during the month of December, as the SkiBig3 Resorts offer fantastic riding in throughout the month. Besides that, December means that holiday cheer is all around you in Banff. Even if it is -15°C outside, having a bad day in the most beautiful place on earth is hard to accomplish.

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Things to Know Before Visiting Banff in December

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How Cold is Banff in December?

December is a very cold time of year in the Canadian Rockies. In fact, some of the most frigid weather of the entire year arrives now. The average temperature is about -5°C, and after dark, it plummets below -10°C, but don’t be surprised if it reaches -15°C or even -20°C.

That being said, the weather in the Canadian Rockies in December can be pretty pleasant, with many sunny days throughout the month. When you’re standing in the sun, even in December, you can feel relatively warm – for Alberta that is. The winter air in Banff and Lake Louise is very dry and cold — we highly recommend protecting your skin with some good moisturizer.

If you’re coming from elsewhere in Alberta, you may find it surprising that Banff in December can feel warmer. The prairies see far more drastic shifts in weather with the wide open spaces. Our mountains and trees do provide some cover from the worst weather.

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How much does it snow in December?

You can expect snow in December, especially as the month progresses. Every Christmas we’ve spent here has been white with plenty of snow on the ground. The ski resorts in the valley and all along the Icefields Parkway get plenty of snow. The Canadian Rockies are some of the most reliable mountains in the Northern Hemisphere for early-season ski conditions. Of course, it is the weather we’re dealing with, so every year, month, and week is different.

December, on average, sees about 10cm of snowfall per week. Snow doesn’t fall every day, but according to Snow Forecast, it snows 3.6 days a week on average. The closer you get to Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway, the more snow you will notice. The high peaks and ski hills receive the most snow, while the town of Banff receives a moderate amount. We generally say you’re guaranteed a White Christmas — I hope we’re never proven wrong.

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What’s a typical day like in December?

December has some of the shortest days of the year. You can expect the sun to rise just before 9 a.m. and set around 4:30 p.m. for most of the month. The good news is there’s a lot you can accomplish outside in those short hours, and there are many sunny days in December as well (but that means not a ton of snow). If you’re ski bums like us, you may pray for fog, clouds, and sweet, powdery goodness instead of sunshine.

Skiing and snowboarding are in full swing in December. The earlier in the month that you are on the mountain shredding it, the less busy it will be. Expect holiday crowds at the ski resorts from around December 23rd until after the New Year.

The same goes for the rest of the park. Banff gets noticeably busier around the holidays until about a week after January. Visitors flock here to spend Christmas inside a snow globe, but don’t worry, it’s nothing compared to the summer crowds.

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Festivals in Banff in December

December is awash with festivities. Obviously, there’s Christmas, the run-up to New Year, and general holiday season fun throughout Banff and Lake Louise for most of the month.

There are also events like the Banff Christmas Market, Carols in the Park, the Santa Clause Parade of Lights, In Search of Christmas Spirit at Cascade Gardens, Christmas at the Castle at the Banff Springs Hotel, and a Mountaintop Christmas on top of Sulphur Mountain.

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What to Pack for a December Trip?

Layers, layers, and layers. December in Banff is one of the coldest months of the year, and you’ll want to prepare accordingly. That means a proper winter jacket, thermal underwear, merino wool socks, winter boots, gloves, scarf, and a hat, at the very least.

You’ll want to pack a sweater and comfortable pants for indoor time. Don’t bother with any kind of summer gear during this time, and unless you plan on having an extravagant dinner out, I wouldn’t advise bringing a dress or dress shoes. A decent sweater and boots are what we like to wear for nice outfits to enjoy a romantic meal.

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What Are Chinook Winds?

If you’re visiting Alberta in the winter, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with Chinook winds, also known as “Chinooks.” A Chinook is a weather phenomenon in Southern Alberta where warm, dry wind from the Pacific blows eastward over the Rockies after passing through British Columbia. These warm winds can shift the temperature by over 20°C in just one day!

You’ll notice the Chinooks from a rapid change in temperatures and sometimes strong winds that can reach dangerous speeds. What I love most about the Chinooks is their ability to create the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets in the Rockies.

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Can You Visit Lake Louise in December?

December is one of the best times to visit Lake Louise! It’s not nearly as busy as Banff in the summer, but just as beautiful – just make sure you wear a warm jacket, as it’s colder at Lake Louise than in Downtown Banff.

Expect an Ice Castle to be built by mid-December, as well as the famous ice bar. Head here with family and friends to feel merry and jolly and enjoy a walk around the ice castle and a hot chocolate. You can also take a horse-drawn carriage around the lake and enjoy the ice skating rink at Lake Louise, which the Fairmont maintains.

Another fun thing to do is ski or snowboard at Lake Louise Ski Resort. As there’s almost nothing open on Christmas Day, heading to the ski resorts is a great Christmas Day activity once the presents are unwrapped.

Although there are crowds, it’s still pretty easy to get parking and enjoy Lake Louise to the fullest in the winter. Just dress warm and get to Lake Louise early. It’s the shortest month of the year, and you can expect the sun to set before 5 p.m. I would suggest getting to Lake Louise around 10 a.m. for full sunshine on Lake Louise – once the sun dips behind Mount Victoria, it gets chilly!

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Things to do in Banff in December

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Enjoy the Christmas Festivities

You can’t visit in December and ignore the Christmas cheer! From Downtown Banff to Lake Louise, there is always a place to listen to jingles and drink mulled wine.

My favorite thing to do around Christmas time in Banff is visit the Banff Springs Hotel and head to Carols in the Park, but there is so much more! Here is a rundown of all that is on offer for Christmas 2025.

Banff Christmas Market

The Banff Christmas Market is at the Banff Train Station this year. It’s in late November and early December each year, as Banff becomes too busy during the holidays to host it in December. However, I should mention it in case you visit in November and December. The Christmas Market is a fun event where you can enjoy local food, shop from local artisan booths, and take photos with Banff’s favorite Clydesdale horse.

Entry is $15 a person, and events take place on November 20-23, 28-30, and December 5-7 and 12-14, 2025. Tickets must be pre-purchased. Find the schedule here.

Christmas at the Castle

Christmas at the Castle takes place at the Banff Springs Hotel, aka “The Castle.” Each year they host a ton of fun holiday events.

Prior to 2020, even if you were not staying at Banff Springs, you could still freely walk in and see all the beautiful Christmas decorations and festivities here. However, now only guests are permitted to enter most of the hotel premises. So if it’s in your budget, we highly recommend booking a stay here for the holidays.

From November 28, 2025 – January 1, 2026, “Christmas at the Castle” takes place here, with different events throughout the season.

New For Christmas, outside guests are allowed to visit and see the Christmas decorations with a $20 donation per person going back to the Make a Wish Foundation.

Their North Pole is a great place to bring the kids to enjoy crafts, such as building a Gingerbread House. They also have the Christmas Concert Series featuring a variety of Canadian musicians performing on different dates throughout December. There is also an amazing outdoor space that has a skating rink, fire pits with s’mores, and even a curling rink. There will be beer and wine served for the adults!

You can book a Christmas at the Castle package that runs between December 14, 2025 – January 5, 2026. The package includes luxury accommodation, access to all the hotel events and activities in-room decorated Christmas Tree, and complimentary self parking.

Christmas Carol at The Castle

The Tale of Scrooge returns to the Castle with puppets, beautiful singing and soundscapes, and special performances on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Seeing A Christmas Carol in Banff is one of the best things to do for families.

A Christmas Carol runs from Dec 5 – 28, 2025 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. More information can be found here.

In Search of Christmas Spirit

This is a live Christmas story told by an impressive light display that starts from Banff Avenue Square and runs through the Cascade of Time Garden. This is a free experience that typically takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete. Although it is free, you still need to register for tickets beforehand. So grab a hot chocolate and enjoy.

In Search of Christmas Spirit happens at the Cascade of Time Garden on select dates from November 13 – December 31, 2025.

Banff’s Hot Chocolate Trail

The Banff Hot Chocolate Trail will have you and the family stuffed with whipped cream and sprinkles. The trail highlights the best places to grab a hot chocolate in Banff, if you are staying for a few days challenge yourself and try them out!

The hot chocolate trail takes place at select cafes around Banff from November 13, 2025 to February 8, 2026

Santa on the Slopes

Head to the SkiBig3 resorts any day five days before Christmas and be on the lookout for Mr. and Mrs. Claus. They are frequently seen shredding on the days leading up to Christmas. If you want to dress up like Santa yourself, you get to ski for free on December 25th!

Brewster Country Christmas Dinner

Want to enjoy a festive Christmas dinner in a dance barn with the family? The Brewster Country Christmas Dinner only happens a few nights a year and will fill you up on a home-cooked hearty meal. Arrive by sleigh from the Fairmont Chateau to a band playing and line dancing.

The Country Christmas Dinner is only on December 19th, 23rd, 26th, and 29th and can be booked here. The cost is $160 for adults and $110 for children 6-12 (Children 5 and under are free). Sleighs depart from the Chateau at 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

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Ski or Snowboard

There are three epic ski resorts in Banff to enjoy (and Nakiska in Kananaskis is close by). Snowboarding at all of the SkiBig3 resorts was our primary reason for heading to Banff in the winter before we settled on moving here. SkiBig3 is a collection of three mountain resorts, all within Banff National Park. You have Lake Louise, Banff Sunshine, and Mt. Norquay, all fantastic and unique ski resorts.

Mt. Norquay is the closest ski resort to town, while Banff Sunshine is about 20 minutes away, and Lake Louise is about 40 minutes away. They are all great options! If you can only choose one, we highly recommend Lake Louise. We think it has the best views and terrain. It’s where we ski every season!

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Cross Country Ski/Nordic Ski

Cross-country skiing is a low-impact sport that gets your heart racing and allows you to slide across the snow. One thing you can’t argue against is the pristine wilderness beauty Nordic skiers will find themselves, especially in Banff.

Cross-country skiing is a serious hobby here, and you’ll find plenty of people getting out there and stretching their legs. The Nordic Center near Canmore is a popular and safe place to cross-country skiing with the family. Though there are plenty of trails in Banff and Kananaskis to enjoy.

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Ice Skate or Play Hockey on Lake Louise

There is no place to ice skate in Banff that is more iconic or scenic than the famous Lake Louise. Not much of a surprise, but it’s regularly been considered one of the world’s best ice skating rinks.

It’s also tremendous as the frozen lake is maintained by the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The lake is regularly cleared of snow and resurfaced, so visitors can enjoy ice skating at Lake Louise every day, regardless of conditions on other natural lakes. This also creates a safe skating place, rather than wild skating on other lakes in the Rockies.

Lake Louise, every few winters, can freeze very early before a significant snowfall, and the result is a blue glass lake. It’s an absolutely stunning natural occurrence and can happen in November, but don’t count on seeing the lake this way as November is generally the worst month to visit Banff and many visitors avoid this month.

The lake freezing like this doesn’t happen often. I say this only to manage expectations, as the surface will likely be a frosted white, but the views are stunning nonetheless!

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Hike Johnston Canyon

The Johnston Canyon walk is one of the best hikes you can enjoy in Banff in the winter. Even though it’s one of the busiest trails in Banff in the summer, the winter offers a completely different experience. During the winter, the area experiences significantly less tourism than in the summer, but it remains popular. Therefore, you may want to consider visiting on weekdays in the morning if possible.

If you want to see a frozen waterfall, you’ll want to hike to the end of the Johnston Canyon trail to see the upper and lower falls. If you’re lucky, you may get to see some ice climbers in action here in December! The Johnston Canyon Trail follows a well-maintained pathway with a gradual elevation gain. Though it’s incredibly icy in the winter, microspikes are highly recommended.

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Go Dog Sledding

One of the best things to do in Banff in the winter is go dog sledding. Howling Dog Tours tours run out of Canmore and will take you dog sledding deep in Kananaskis, or you can head to Lake Louise to mush your way around there.

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Check out Nearby Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake is a stunning lake in Yoho and makes for a great family-friendly day out. Emerald Lake freezes over in the winter, and you won’t see any of that dazzling emerald color. However, the natural shape of the surrounding mountains and the lake’s elevation create a microclimate that encourages a heavy amount of snowfall in the winter. Meaning a visit to the lake feels like stepping into a complete winter wonderland.

You can take a leisurely stroll along the lake, snowshoe, or cross-country ski. Or book one of the cozy romantic cabins at the Emerald Lake Lodge.

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Take an Authentic Horse Sleigh Ride

In the wintertime, you might not be able to take to the trails on horseback, but you can ride on a horse-drawn sleigh at Lake Louise or around Downtown Banff.

There aren’t many places where you can still ride in a real sleigh through a winter wonderland, which makes a horse-drawn carriage ride around Lake Louise (bookable at the Fairmont) a fantastic thing to do in Banff in December. Check out Banff Trail Riders for magical rides around Downtown Banff!

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Enjoy the Lake Louise Ice Bar

Every year around the holidays, the Fairmont Lake Louise creates an entire bar – out of ice! They have heaters to keep warm, a full bartender serving up spiked hot cocoa, and a maple syrup popsicle stand, which really impresses the kids!

Between the ice skating, horse-drawn carriage ride, and the ice bar, you could spend an entire day at Lake Louise in December! Just make sure to bring a good winter jacket.

We find Lake Louise is often 5-10° colder than the Town of Banff. Typically, we wear our down parkas unless we are doing something active. Some great ones are from Patagonia and are perfect for winter in Banff.

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Wild Ice Skate

November and December are the best months out of the entire year for ice skating on frozen lakes. It’s during this time that many of the Banff lakes freeze over.

The trick to feeling like you are ice skating in heaven is to catch them shortly after they freeze, but before a heavy snowfall comes and covers the ice. Keep in mind that skating on frozen lakes is a risky activity and you should always check the thickness of the ice yourself before venturing out. You can do this with an ice screw. See all of our safety tips, plus favorite lakes to ice skate on.

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Snowshoe

One of the best things to do in the winter in the Rockies is head out for a snowshoe. Some of the most popular snowshoes are in Kananaskis Country. My favorite area is Chester Lake, Troll Falls, and Sawmill Loop Snowshoe Trail.

There are a few good ones in Banff, such as Taylor Lake, Fairview Lookout, and the Ink Pots Trail. You can rent snowshoes at Snowtips-Bactrax. If you are venturing into avalanche terrain, it’s crucial to have avalanche safety knowledge; please don’t decide to go snowshoe up a random mountain without proper awareness—tourist deaths have occurred this way.

Alternatively, you can join a guided snowshoe tour. The most popular one in the valley is the Top of the World Snowshoe, which sells out often!

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Hike Up Tunnel Mountain

Tunnel Mountain is an accessible mountain in Banff that is fun to summit year-round. As a tradition, we bring the family up here every winter as they love the views you get over the Town of Banff and Bow Valley from the top.

In December, you can expect a pretty well-packed trail, as this is a popular hike. That is unless you are the first one up after a fresh snowfall. Then it may be worth it to bring microspikes or snowshoes to break the track. At the very least, ensure you have waterproof hiking boots in December.

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Soak Up the Views at Lake Minnewanka

One of my favorite places to head to in Banff in December is Lake Minnewanka. It’s lovely to see the whole area covered in snow. Lake Minnewanka is likely yet to be frozen, meaning you’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful, unfrozen lake dominated by Mount Girouard ahead.

There are some excellent trails to walk around here in the winter, and if you bring some warm soup or a hot cup of tea, there are even picnic benches around the lake to sit by and warm up.

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Drive the Icefields Parkway

The Icefields Parkway is considered one of the most beautiful drives in the world. It connects Banff to Jasper over a 232 km stretch of double-lane highway. I love driving it in the summer, but it’s also wonderful in the winter. Seeing all the peaks topped with fresh snow and the lakes frozen over will make you feel as if you are dreaming.

Even if you aren’t heading all the way to Jasper, it’s worth just driving a portion of the Icefields Parkway to see sights like Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, and Mistaya Canyon.

Pay attention to the road conditions in the winter. It’s a road that should only be driven by experienced winter drivers, and winter tires are a must! If there’s been recent snowfall or a big winter storm is on the way, you don’t want to be on this road. Stay up to date with road conditions on 5.11 Alberta. It’s worth noting that there are no services on the Icefields Parkway in the winter.

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Soak in the Kananaskis Nordic Spa

The Kananaskis Nordic Spa is in the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge in Kananaskis Country. Right near the base of Nakiska Ski Resort is this beautiful hotel. Their new Nordic Spa is the ultimate space for relaxation in the mountains.

Here they have an Eucalyptus Steam Room, an Alchemist Steam Room, a Finnish Sauna, an Exfoliation Cabin, and so much more. You could easily spend a whole winter day here enjoying the pools and other amenities.

If you really want to have a fabulous wellness weekend in the Rockies, book a stay at the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, so you never have to hop in the car.

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Hop on the Fat Bike

Fat biking is a fun activity to enjoy in December. You can rent fat bikes at Snowtips Bactrax and hit the trails. The best fat bike trails are the Goat Creek Trail, the Lake Minnewanka Cascade Trail, and the Moraine Lake Access Rd (this road ends at a viewpoint overlooking the Consolation Valley and Ten Peaks; any further is avalanche terrain). Though if you are new to fat biking, we highly recommend joining a guided tour to show you the ropes!

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Catch the Northern Lights

Thanks to the short days, December is one of the best times of the year to catch the Northern Lights. With the sun setting at 4:30pm, there is plenty of nighttime to see the aurora.

The Northern Lights aren’t on display every night in Banff during the winter. You’ll have to be pretty lucky to catch them in the Canadian Rockies. Look for a clear night when the Kp index is high. See all our tips for capturing the Northern Lights in Banff here.

We often get asked about aurora tours. However, because of the irregularity of seeing the northern lights (we only see them a few times a year), there are no set “aurora tours.” Instead, you can join this popular stargazing tour, a 2-hour walking tour under the dark night sky.

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Go Up Sulphur Mountain

I say “go up” because there are two ways up Sulphur Mountain. One is a 1-2 hour hike via a series of switchback trails, and the other is the more leisurely way on Banff Gondola ride.

Both are great options that you can do in the winter. It just depends on what kind of day you want to have! Sulphur Mountain is a fun winter hike in Banff, and once you reach the top, you’ll have access to all the Banff Gondola facilities, like the Sky Bistro and the Interpretive Center. Access to these facilities is for everyone, regardless of whether you hiked or paid for a Banff Gondola ticket.

The best part is that if you get up to Sulphur Mountain around the holidays, you might get to enjoy the Mountaintop Christmas. This is where Santa’s Workshop is, as well as a warming igloo and plenty of cheerful decorations and festivities.

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Drive the Bow Valley Parkway

The Bow Valley Parkway (also known as the 1A) connects Banff to Lake Louise and serves as a great alternative to the Trans-Canada Highway. In the summer, it’s a great place to cycle, but in the winter, it’s a beautiful road to drive below frosted trees.

One of my favorite stops along the Parkway is Morant’s Curve. This is a photography point and where many photographers hang out in the freezing cold with hopes of seeing the train come around the tracks under Mount Temple.

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Driving in the Winter

Anyone planning to rent a car and visit in December should be prepared for winter driving. We almost ALWAYS get at least one major snowstorm in December, and the roads can become very dangerous. You can check 5.11 Alberta for road conditions.

It’s best to rent a car with winter tires. If you rent a car for your trip to Banff, ensure that the vehicle is equipped with winter tires or, at the very least, all-season tires. Keep in mind that rental agencies in Calgary don’t automatically give them to you just because it’s winter. Additionally, if you plan on driving the Icefields Parkway or into British Columbia in the winter, it is mandatory to have winter tires on your vehicle.

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Where to Stay in December?

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Pros and Cons of Visiting Banff in December

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Is December a Good Time to Visit Banff?

Many locals rave about December in the Rockies, and I can’t disagree with them. December is one of the best times to visit Banff, if you love building snowmen and sipping hot cocoa by the fireplace, that is.

There are a full range of winter attractions and activities during December, and the holiday cheer before Christmas in the air is truly contagious. Fat biking, snowshoeing, ice skating, dog sledding? Everything winter is on offer right now. Bring your warm jacket and snow boots, and prepare to see those red and green Christmas lights twinkle underneath the colossal peaks.

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