When to go · Lake Louise
Lake Louise in December
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug midday crowds and full parking; Nov and early Dec for thin snow and closed trails.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- −5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) / −14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 10
- Crowds
- Medium
- Canada overall
- Prices
- High
- Canada overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug midday crowds and full parking; Nov and early Dec for thin snow and closed trails.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- JanuaryGreatInside Lake Louise's best window: Jun–Sep for the lakes; late Jan–Mar for skiing and the ice carving event.
- FebruaryGreatInside Lake Louise's best window: Jun–Sep for the lakes; late Jan–Mar for skiing and the ice carving event.
- MarchGreatInside Lake Louise's best window: Jun–Sep for the lakes; late Jan–Mar for skiing and the ice carving event.
- JuneGreatInside Lake Louise's best window: Jun–Sep for the lakes; late Jan–Mar for skiing and the ice carving event.
Weather in December
- Lake LouiseHighs around -5 °C (23 °F), lows around -14 °C (7 °F), rain on about 10 daysHighs around 23 °F (-5 °C), lows around 7 °F (-14 °C), rain on about 10 days
- Rockies, Canada · Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Yohocool
Lakes thaw in June; Moraine Lake road and many trails open about June–October; wildfire smoke in some summers; ski season December–April.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Christmas and Boxing Day big impact
25–26 Dec · Canada
Most businesses closed on the 25th; Boxing Day sales.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Canada overall
- Medium
- Prices · Canada overall
- High
Canada overall: Christmas markets and ski openings; winter tyres required on many BC highways.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Lake Louise, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Avoid
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: -5 °C (23 °F)23 °F (-5 °C)
Jan: -5 °C (23 °F)23 °F (-5 °C)
Night low
Dec: -14 °C (7 °F)7 °F (-14 °C)
Jan: -14 °C (7 °F)7 °F (-14 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 10
Jan: 10
Crowds
Dec: Medium
Jan: Low
Prices
Dec: High
Jan: Low
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
Jan: 0
December: Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug midday crowds and full parking; Nov and early Dec for thin snow and closed trails.
January: Inside Lake Louise's best window: Jun–Sep for the lakes; late Jan–Mar for skiing and the ice carving event.
Lake Louise: 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
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket