When to go · Lake Louise
Lake Louise in May
Good month. Outside the best window (Jun–Sep for the lakes; late Jan–Mar for skiing and the ice carving event). Across Canada: Victoria Day weekend opens the season; Rockies lakes still frozen at altitude.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 14°C (57°F)57°F (14°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 for the lakes; late Jan–Mar for skiing and the ice carving event). 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 Lake Louise's best window: Jun–Sep for the lakes; late Jan–Mar for skiing and the ice carving event.
- JulyGreatInside Lake Louise's best window: Jun–Sep for the lakes; late Jan–Mar for skiing and the ice carving event.
- AugustGreatInside Lake Louise's best window: Jun–Sep for the lakes; late Jan–Mar for skiing and the ice carving event.
- SeptemberGreatInside Lake Louise's best window: Jun–Sep for the lakes; late Jan–Mar for skiing and the ice carving event.
Weather in May
- Lake LouiseHighs around 14 °C (57 °F), lows around 2 °C (36 °F), rain on about 11 daysHighs around 57 °F (14 °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 Lake Louise, side by side.
Verdict
May: Good
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 14 °C (57 °F)57 °F (14 °C)
Jan: -5 °C (23 °F)23 °F (-5 °C)
Night low
May: 2 °C (36 °F)36 °F (2 °C)
Jan: -14 °C (7 °F)7 °F (-14 °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 for the lakes; late Jan–Mar for skiing and the ice carving event). Across Canada: Victoria Day weekend opens the season; Rockies lakes still frozen at altitude.
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