When to go · Banff
Banff in May
Good month. Outside the best window (Jun–Sep for lakes and hiking; Dec–Mar for skiing). Across Canada: Victoria Day weekend opens the season; Rockies lakes still frozen at altitude.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 14°C (58°F)58°F (14°C) / 1°C (33°F)33°F (1°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 13
- Crowds
- Medium
- Canada overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Canada overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Jun–Sep for lakes and hiking; Dec–Mar for 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 Banff's best window: Jun–Sep for lakes and hiking; Dec–Mar for skiing.
- JulyGreatInside Banff's best window: Jun–Sep for lakes and hiking; Dec–Mar for skiing.
- AugustGreatInside Banff's best window: Jun–Sep for lakes and hiking; Dec–Mar for skiing.
- SeptemberGreatInside Banff's best window: Jun–Sep for lakes and hiking; Dec–Mar for skiing.
Weather in May
- BanffHighs around 14.3 °C (58 °F), lows around 0.5 °C (33 °F), rain on about 13 daysHighs around 58 °F (14.3 °C), lows around 33 °F (0.5 °C), rain on about 13 days
- Rockies, Canada · Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Yohofine
Lakes thaw in June; Moraine Lake road and many trails open about June–October; wildfire smoke in some summers; ski season December–April.
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 Banff, side by side.
Verdict
May: Good
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 14.3 °C (58 °F)58 °F (14.3 °C)
Jan: -3.5 °C (26 °F)26 °F (-3.5 °C)
Night low
May: 0.5 °C (33 °F)33 °F (0.5 °C)
Jan: -13.5 °C (8 °F)8 °F (-13.5 °C)
Rain days
May: 13
Jan: 12 (better)
Crowds
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Prices
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 0
May: Outside the best window (Jun–Sep for lakes and hiking; Dec–Mar for skiing). Across Canada: Victoria Day weekend opens the season; Rockies lakes still frozen at altitude.
January: Inside Banff's best window: Jun–Sep for lakes and hiking; Dec–Mar for skiing.
Banff: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast