When to go · Jasper
Jasper in May
Good month. Outside the best window (Jun–Sep (hiking, lakes); Dec–Mar for skiing). Across Canada: Victoria Day weekend opens the season; Rockies lakes still frozen at altitude.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C) / 2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 11
- Crowds
- Medium
- Canada overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Canada overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Jun–Sep (hiking, lakes); 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 Jasper's best window: Jun–Sep (hiking, lakes); Dec–Mar for skiing.
- JulyGreatInside Jasper's best window: Jun–Sep (hiking, lakes); Dec–Mar for skiing.
- AugustGreatInside Jasper's best window: Jun–Sep (hiking, lakes); Dec–Mar for skiing.
- SeptemberGreatInside Jasper's best window: Jun–Sep (hiking, lakes); Dec–Mar for skiing.
Weather in May
- JasperHighs around 16 °C (61 °F), lows around 2 °C (36 °F), rain on about 11 daysHighs around 61 °F (16 °C), lows around 36 °F (2 °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: Victoria Day weekend opens the season; Rockies lakes still frozen at altitude.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Jasper, side by side.
Verdict
May: Good
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 16 °C (61 °F)61 °F (16 °C)
Jan: -2 °C (28 °F)28 °F (-2 °C)
Night low
May: 2 °C (36 °F)36 °F (2 °C)
Jan: -12 °C (10 °F)10 °F (-12 °C)
Rain days
May: 11
Jan: 10 (better)
Crowds
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Prices
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 0
May: Outside the best window (Jun–Sep (hiking, lakes); Dec–Mar for skiing). Across Canada: Victoria Day weekend opens the season; Rockies lakes still frozen at altitude.
January: Inside Jasper's best window: Jun–Sep (hiking, lakes); Dec–Mar for skiing.
Jasper: 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