When to go · Athabasca
Athabasca in May
Good month. Outside the best window (Jun–Sep (warm, long daylight); Feb–Mar for cross-country skiing). Across Canada: Victoria Day weekend opens the season; Rockies lakes still frozen at altitude.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 17°C (62°F)62°F (17°C) / 4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 9
- Crowds
- Medium
- Canada overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Canada overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Jun–Sep (warm, long daylight); Feb–Mar for cross-country skiing). Across Canada: Victoria Day weekend opens the season; Rockies lakes still frozen at altitude.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated good. These months rate higher:
- JuneGreatInside Athabasca's best window: Jun–Sep (warm, long daylight); Feb–Mar for cross-country skiing.
- JulyGreatInside Athabasca's best window: Jun–Sep (warm, long daylight); Feb–Mar for cross-country skiing.
- AugustGreatInside Athabasca's best window: Jun–Sep (warm, long daylight); Feb–Mar for cross-country skiing.
- SeptemberGreatInside Athabasca's best window: Jun–Sep (warm, long daylight); Feb–Mar for cross-country skiing.
Weather in May
- AthabascaHighs around 16.8 °C (62 °F), lows around 3.8 °C (39 °F), rain on about 9 daysHighs around 62 °F (16.8 °C), lows around 39 °F (3.8 °C), rain on about 9 days
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Canada overall
- Medium
- Prices · Canada overall
- Medium
Canada overall: Victoria Day weekend opens the season; Rockies lakes still frozen at altitude.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Athabasca, side by side.
Verdict
May: Good
Feb: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 16.8 °C (62 °F)62 °F (16.8 °C)
Feb: -4.8 °C (23 °F)23 °F (-4.8 °C)
Night low
May: 3.8 °C (39 °F)39 °F (3.8 °C)
Feb: -15.7 °C (4 °F)4 °F (-15.7 °C)
Rain days
May: 9
Feb: 8 (better)
Crowds
May: Medium
Feb: Low
Prices
May: Medium
Feb: Medium
Festivals listed
May: 0
Feb: 0
May: Outside the best window (Jun–Sep (warm, long daylight); Feb–Mar for cross-country skiing). Across Canada: Victoria Day weekend opens the season; Rockies lakes still frozen at altitude.
February: Inside Athabasca's best window: Jun–Sep (warm, long daylight); Feb–Mar for cross-country skiing.
Athabasca: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings