When to go · Banff
Banff in October
Good month. Outside the best window (Jun–Sep for lakes and hiking; Dec–Mar for skiing). Across Canada: Foliage in Ontario, Québec and the Maritimes early in the month; mountain roads get snow.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) / −2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 11
- 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: Foliage in Ontario, Québec and the Maritimes early in the month; mountain roads get snow.
Is another month better than October?
October is rated good. These months rate higher:
- DecemberGreatInside Banff's best window: Jun–Sep for lakes and hiking; Dec–Mar for skiing.
- JanuaryGreatInside Banff's best window: Jun–Sep for lakes and hiking; Dec–Mar for skiing.
- FebruaryGreatInside Banff's best window: Jun–Sep for lakes and hiking; Dec–Mar for skiing.
- MarchGreatInside Banff's best window: Jun–Sep for lakes and hiking; Dec–Mar for skiing.
Weather in October
- BanffHighs around 9.1 °C (48 °F), lows around -2.4 °C (28 °F), rain on about 11 daysHighs around 48 °F (9.1 °C), lows around 28 °F (-2.4 °C), rain on about 11 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: Foliage in Ontario, Québec and the Maritimes early in the month; mountain roads get snow.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Banff, side by side.
Verdict
Oct: Good
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
Oct: 9.1 °C (48 °F)48 °F (9.1 °C)
Jan: -3.5 °C (26 °F)26 °F (-3.5 °C)
Night low
Oct: -2.4 °C (28 °F)28 °F (-2.4 °C)
Jan: -13.5 °C (8 °F)8 °F (-13.5 °C)
Rain days
Oct: 11 (better)
Jan: 12
Crowds
Oct: Medium
Jan: Low
Prices
Oct: Medium
Jan: Low
Festivals listed
Oct: 0
Jan: 0
October: Outside the best window (Jun–Sep for lakes and hiking; Dec–Mar for skiing). Across Canada: Foliage in Ontario, Québec and the Maritimes early in the month; mountain roads get snow.
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