What To Wear In Banff In Winter
If you need guidance on what to wear in Banff in winter, we have the perfect packing list. It’s best to come prepared because winter in the Canadian Rockies can be frigid. Winter temps in Banff can alternate between 3C° to -5 C°, down to a whopping -40 C° – yikes – that’s the same in both Celsius and Fahrenheit. Temperatures can be extreme here in Alberta, or they can be extremely mild. One thing is certain: it’s the mountains, and you never know what you’ll get!
Never fear – the most frigid temperatures happen only a few times in the winter. Plus, with proper packing and the right clothes, we rarely let the cold deter us from enjoying the beauty of the Canadian Rockies. You’ve probably heard this before, but the key to staying warm in winter is layers. This means a solid exterior layer in the form of a warm jacket.
The last one is super important, as the wind can pull the heat away from your body and leave you feeling much colder. Let’s dig into our complete winter packing list for the Canadian Rockies.
What to Wear in Banff in Winter
Here is a short rundown which includes ski/snowboarding gear and winter fun clothes. We’re active individuals and love winter sports, so you’ll find a good mix of lifestyle clothes and technical apparel for winter weather. This packing list is just to give you an idea of what’s helpful to pack for Banff in the winter. Of course, you know your wardrobe best!
- Winter Parka
- Down Jacket
- Sweater
- Flannel
- Casual Pants
- Fleece-lined leggings
- 1 x Top Base Layer
- 1 x Bottom Base Layer
- 2-3 x Wool Underwear
- 2-3 x Wool Socks
- 1 x Mid-Layer Jacket
- 1 x Insulated Jacket
- 1 x Snow Pants
- 1 x Mitts or Gloves
- 1 x Balaclava
- 1 x Buff Headwear
- 1 x Goggles (if skiing or snowboarding)
- 1 x Helmet* (if skiing or snowboarding)
Dress For Your Winter Activities
Don’t just think of nice outfits and sweaters when thinking about what to wear in Banff in winter. Just because there is snow on the ground doesn’t mean you can’t be active in the winter. We’re big winter sports fans, and there are many things to do in Banff in the winter. Some of our favorite things to do in the winter are ice skating, snowshoeing, ice climbing, snowboarding/skiing, and even a nice winter hike.
Depending on your Banff itinerary, we lean more toward packing for an active winter holiday than a posh winter holiday. That means technical clothes like down jackets, shells, softshell pants, and thermals. Banff is a small mountain town; locals dress casually or in technical mountain gear. There is no need for trendy jackets, dress shoes, or fur coats here unless that’s your style! Everything is a lot more relaxed than, say, the European Alps or Aspen.
Winter Temperatures in the Rockies
Winter in the Canadian Rockies lasts longer than in most parts of the world, and snow is often on the ground from mid October to May. Banff is a cold place, and we’ve seen snow every month of the year – yes even August. Below are the average winter temperatures in Banff to give you a better idea.
These are just the averages; however, Banff is notorious for its Chinook winds, which cause wide temperature swings where one day will be a mild 32°F/0°C the next can drop down to a bone-chilling -22°F/-30°C.
Weather is unpredictable much further out than a week or two, so you should pack and plan for freezing cold temperatures in the winter and continue to monitor the weather closer to your trip. For the purpose of this article, when I’m talking about winter, I’m referring to the following months.
- Banff in November: 33° / 17°F or 1° / -8° C
- Banff in December: 23° / 7°F or -5° / -14°C
- Banff in January: 25° / 7°F or -4° / -14°C
- Banff in February: 32° / 11°F or 0° / -12°C
- Banff in March: 39° / 18°F or 4° / -8°C
What are Chinooks?
If you’re visiting Alberta in the winter, you should familiarize yourself with Chinook winds or just “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 by rapid temperature changes and sometimes strong winds that can reach nearly dangerous speeds. However, what I love most about Chinooks is their ability to create some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets in the Rockies!
What to Wear in Banff in Winter
Winter Parka Down Jacket
If you have a proper winter jacket handy, it’s great to pack one. We wear heavy down parka jackets with hoods for running errands in town or walking around the neighbourhood when it is really cold (typically December through February). It’s great for people who come to Banff to pack at least one heavy winter jacket. These are great for sipping hot chocolate at Lake Louise, going on a horse sleigh ride, or even going for a dog sled when you’re not very active.
We strongly prefer down jackets as they provide a lot of warmth, but the real key here is a jacket with some weight that will help block the wind and insulate. When we travel with our bulky parkas, we wear them on the plane, as an oversized winter jacket can quickly eat up half your luggage. When we play tourist around town and visit all the popular sights, we love to throw on our big, comfy down parkas. Patagonia makes fantastic winter parkas!
Down Jacket
A down jacket is different from the parka mentioned above. We take a light, packable down jacket on almost every trip and use ours all the time around Banff. It’s a really versatile piece of clothing because it can be packed down and travel in your suitcase. It’s great for mild days in the early season, around October/November, or springtime from March to May.
We even wear them in the summer as it’s always down jacket season in the Canadian Rockies. If you’re feeling the chill, a packable down jacket can also be an excellent insulator/mid-layer. That’s also great for skiing or snowboarding, as you can wear them under your shell.
The versatile coat can also be worn for cross-country skiing, ice skating, or snowshoeing. Our favorite down jackets are the Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody and the Arc’teryx Thorium, but when we want something a little lighter we’ll also go with the Arc’teryx Atom.
Fleece
I mean it when I say I LIVE in fleeces throughout the winter. Fleeces are exceptionally great in the shoulder season months of November, April, and May when it’s still chilly outside, but not enough to warrant a full parka.
I have multiple Patagonia Retro style fleeces, which are warm enough to wear like a jacket when it’s around 0 degrees. I also love Cotopaxi fleeces which are warm and fuzzy – great for sitting by the fire!
Cute Sweater
Every visitor should pack at least one sweater for a Banff winter! I wear sweaters between October and April and go heavy on them around Christmastime in Banff! Bring one or two, and then look for a few when strolling Banff Avenue – they are everywhere!
Flannel
A flannel for men or women is classic in Canada, especially in winter. Flannels here are stylish enough to wear to any dinner at a restaurant or relaxed enough to wear ice skating or hiking. The thick cotton is cozy and provides a lot of warmth.
Casual/Hiking Pants
A casual pair of hiking pants for walking around town is great to pair with a sweater or wear during winter activities. If we’re going for an easy hike like climbing up Tunnel Mountain, cross-country skiing, or a snowshoe on a mild day, we rarely wear snow pants and instead use a synthetic pair of pants with thermals underneath.
These pants can vary from basic hiking pants to more technical soft-shell pants. They’re more comfortable and less goofy than bulky snow pants. It’s best to go with whatever synthetic pants you have at home. Ski pants are best reserved for winter activities like tubing, skiing, or dog sledding.
Thermals
A quality base layer is made from a natural fiber like wool, as it has excellent technical advantages. Wool can resist odor, wick away sweat or snow, and provide warmth. If wool is cost-prohibitive, choose thermals from a polyester or nylon blend.
It’s best not to wear a cotton base layer, as cotton pulls body heat away and remains wet for an extended period. After testing, we’ve found Woolx, Smartwool and Icebreaker to be our favorite wool baselayers. They have tremendous comfort and performance. For a more affordable base layer with plenty of longevity, we love the synthetic base layers from Helly Hansen.
Base layers for your legs are great for walking around town or for any winter activity you may enjoy. You don’t want to wear your ski pants to the bar, but jeans may be too cold. However, if you slip on a pair of thermals underneath, it makes life a lot warmer. Note size charts, as top and bottom sizes can be different when purchasing. Consider your base layers one of the top priorities when packing for Banff in the winter.
Fleece-Lined Leggings
Any woman travelling to a cold destination should have a pair of these. One of my favorite items in the winter is fleece-lined leggings. Regular leggings are far too cold for me to wear here in the winter, but a good pair lined with fuzzy fleece on the inside? I have numerous pairs from Amazon!
Wools Socks
For any trip in the winter, it’s a good idea to pack a few wool socks for your days out exploring or skiing. Opt for a material such as wool or synthetic for your socks, like thermals. Do not wear cotton socks when doing any activities out in the snow, like snowshoeing, hiking, or skiing, as they will almost certainly lead to cold feet. For most, any wool or warm synthetic socks will do the job.
However, if you plan to ski, it’s a good idea to try out some ski-specific wool socks as they have attractive features. Opt for a medium or slim sock. Loose or bulky socks can trap moisture and bunch up, which results in cold feet. On that note, do not wear two pairs of socks, as they will also trap moisture. The key to warm feet is dry feet! The last thing we put on before heading out the door are our socks, don’t wear them in a hotel bathroom! Almost all our socks are from Darn Tough, they have the cutest graphics!
Winter Boots
You aren’t going to want to trudge around town in a pair of sneakers during your whole trip. Pick up a pair of functional but stylish boots with a high ankle to prevent snow. We have a pair of Sorel boots and Fubukis for deep snow days in Banff. However, most winter snow depths aren’t bad in town, so any sturdy boots will work perfectly. Columbia makes some great inexpensive ones.
Casual Gloves or Mitts
I suggest bringing at least one pair of casual gloves or mittens for walking around. I personally like the ones that have touchscreen fingertips. Many ski-specific mittens and gloves also come with liners that work well for casual use around town.
Toque or Beanie
You’ll definitely want a way to protect your ears and head from the cold. A hat (called a toque in Canada) is one of the best ways to retain body heat. We just got some hats from Toques From The Heart, which makes some tremendously comfortable, warm, and excellent-quality hats. The best part is the company gives away a toque to a Canadian in need with the sale of every hat.
Microspikes
Microspikes are a cheap investment that will come in handy if you plan on doing any winter hiking. They are especially helpful if you have plans to hike Johnston Canyon, which is a very icy trail.
You can purchase microspikes on Amazon before your trip (just make sure to keep them in your checked luggage). Alternatively, you can buy them at any Canadian Tire when you get to Alberta. Lastly, if you don’t want to purchase them, Snowtips Bactrax in downtown Banff rents them out for about $15.
What You Don’t Need to Bring to Banff in Winter
- Club Dresses: There really aren’t many clubs in Banff or Canmore, besides the Dancing Sasquatch in Downtown Banff where the Aussie workers hang. There is no need for a short clubbing dress. The best thing you’ll find here is a brewery or distillery where you would instantly feel out of place in a short dress.
- Heels: There’s absolutely no scenario in the Canadian Rockies where you will need heels, especially in the winter. Oh yeah, and don’t go hiking in them – that’s a bad idea.
- Super Dressy Clothes in General: Both men and women don’t need to worry about getting super fancy here unless you want to or have a very nice evening planned at the Banff Springs. A cute sweater and black pants and flats work just fine if you’re going to a nice event. If the ladies really want to dress up, a nice sparkly skirt with tights and a nice sweater.
- Bottled Water: The one thing that drives me nuts every year is the grocery stores that sell cases of bottled water and the visitors who think they need to buy them. Not only is this a waste of plastic, but it’s truly unnecessary with the excellent water quality in the valley. There is no need to worry about the tap water here. It’s SO good and completely fine. Please don’t buy bottled water here.
Where to Get Winter Clothes
If you’ve forgotten any items, don’t worry, there are plenty of places to purchase winter necessities in the Rockies. From high-end to low-cost, you can get almost anything you need on Banff Avenue. Other places to head are:
- Switching Gear in Canmore: Consignment shop specializing in outdoor goods.
- Canadian Tire and Marks: You can find cheap “workman” like gear here. Marks often has specials on sweaters, socks, hats – you name it!
- Valhalla in Canmore: Outdoor store with all the latest goodies.
- Monods in Banff: From ski gear to casual boots, you can find all the name brands here.
- Columbia Store in Banff: For mid-range outdoor apparel at a reasonable price.
