When visiting Banff in April, you should be pretty much ready to experience all seasons. These are big mountains, after all, and the weather can be always changeable. Even more so during a transitional month like April.
Overall, it is still more of a winter month and those who love skiing or snowboarding will really enjoy their time here. Don’t take us wrong, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other fun things to do for non skiers, it might just not look like your typical spring like April elsewhere and hiking is still quite limited. However, us locals often call these shoulder season months hidden gems, because of the low crowds and relaxed atmoshere.
Now let’s have a look on everything you should know before your trip to Banff in April!
BANFF WEATHER IN APRIL
Things are still quite wintery (is anyone even surprised at this point?), but spring is in the air! Yay!
April is a shoulder season month which means weather can be a little bit of everything. There will be a mix of sunshine, colder days and even a fresh snowfall. Average temperatures range from +10°C (50°F) to -3°C (27°F) between the day and night and snow melts in the lower elevations, but there is still plenty up in the mountains and ski resorts. Don’t expect to see the blue lakes or go hiking yet this time of a year unless you’re experienced in avalanche terrain. Early spring means avalanche conditions can be very risky in certain areas.
Overall, April is still more suitable for those who like skiing or snowboarding as conditions still remain good. Are you a non skier and wondering if it’s worth it to visit Banff in April? Well, honestly it’s probably not the best month you can pick, but you can still have a great time in Banff in April, plus it’s a quiet and afforable month! It is also the start of the spring grazing season which can be great for spotting animals!
THINGS TO DO IN BANFF IN APRIL
Skiing & Snowboarding
Even though it’s slowly warming up in Banff in April, there is typically still lots of snow around in higher altitudes and skiing conditions remain excellent, especially in the first half of the month. Longer daylight and warm enjoyable temperatures bring the fun spring skiing vibes and you can still catch an occasional powder day too. That being said, every year is different and April is definitely a month that can bring very changeable conditions. Banff is home to three ski resorts and all of them are opened in April:
» Banff Sunshine Village
Known as the snowiest resort, Banff Sunshine Village offers lengthy season that lasts from mid-November until late May.
» Lake Louise Ski Resort
One of the North America’s largest ski resorts with a huge variety of terrain.
» Mt. Norquay Ski Resort
Smaller, family friendly resort located just outside of town of Banff. Also the only option for night skiing in Banff NP!
Snow Tubing
Snow Tubing is such a fun activity with a little bit of adrenaline rush. There are two options to go snow tubing near Banff:
» Snow Tubing at Mt Norquay Ski Resort
Located just 5 minutes from town, this is the largest park in Alberta with 8 high speed lanes!
» Snow Tubing at Lake Louise Ski Resort
Smaller tubing area with 2 lanes, 45 minutes from Banff. Perfect if you’re already planning to visit Lake Louise area.
Stargazing and northern lights
Watching the night sky in Banff is a memorable experience as you’ll find yourself under one of the darkest skies on the planet!
April can be a great time for stargazing as the nights aren’t as cold as in the previous winter months. And if you’re lucky, you might even see the northern lights dancing on the sky! But note that Banff is not a prime location for aurora borealis and we’d definitely recommend travelling further up north to witness the best shows. That being said, Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake or Vermillion Lakes are great locations for stargazing in Banff National Park. Or if you don’t feel like going on your own, you can consider one of these guided tours:
» Banff Sunset & Stars – 2hr Walking Tour
» Stargazing Tour – Kananaskis After Dark
Dog Sledding
Dog Sledding is such a unique way to experience the beauty of Canadian Rockies in the winter. The season runs from December to April and it’s a very popular activity that sells out, so make sure to book ahead. There are multiple operators with different tour options:
» Kingmik Dog Sled Tours
» Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours
» Howling Dog Tours
Horseback Riding Along the Bow River
April in Banff really is a transitional month which means you can do a bit of some winter and some summer activities. Although the main season for horseback riding in Banff starts a bit later, an easy ride along the Bow River is possible in April and it’s such a unique way to experience Canadian Rockies!
Caving
Caving is a fantastic and unique way to experience Rockies. Now you might be wondering – isn’t it still too cold for that in Banff in April? No! Caves have consistent temperature of 5°C (41°F) year-round, so it’s a perfect activity in any season! These guided tours will take you under the surface of Grotto Mountain that hides one of the longest cave systems in Canada! Canmore Cave Tours has been operating in the area since 1992 and has experienced guides that will take you underground. No experience necessary, but note that caving can be physically demanding activity.
Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
If you love to seek new experiences that go beyond traditional activities or simply love animals, there is one hidden gem that is just perfect for a visit in April. It is the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary. Located near Cochrane, just one hour drive from Banff, Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary is currently a home for 43 wolfdogs. They are non-profit organization dedicated to driving awareness and education surrounding wolfdog ownership. You can do a self guided tour where you observe various packs of wolfdogs or a guided tour with a chance to interact with some of the wolfdogs. They might even take a treat from you! We took the interactive tour which was an unforgettable experience.
Wildlife Tours
As the snow starts to melt in lower elevations, it’s the start of the spring grazing season and a great time to spot the wildlife! You can often see elk, deer or bighorn sheep and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a bear as they start to come out of hibernation in April and early May.
Taking a wildlife tour can increase your chances even more as the experienced guides know where to go:
» Year Round Tour: Banff and its Wildlife
» Banff Highlights & Wildlife | Small Group Adventure
» Banff: Evening Wildlife Safari Guided Tour
» Banff: Highlights and Wildlife Group Tour
» Banff: Wildlife and Sightseeing Minibus Tour
Hot springs
There’s nothing like soaking your body in a hot water after a day spent outside. Can’t get much better than that! It is still quite wintery in Banff in April, which means it’s a great time to check some hot springs:
» Banff Upper Hot Springs
Highest operating hot spring in Canada and one of the must-visit spots while in Banff!
» Radium Hot Springs
If you don’t mind 1.5 hour of driving from Banff or heading that direction anyways, Radium Hot Springs is one of British Columbia’s top natural hot springs located in Kootenay National Park.
» Kananaskis Nordic Spa
Ultimate mountain retreat in beautiful Kananaskis Country, just under 1 hour from Banff.
» Fairmont Spa Banff Springs
Award winning day spa inside of the famous Fairmont Banff Springs hotel.
» Hidden Ridge Resort
Guests of this intimate resort tucked away on Tunnel Mountain can enjoy outdoor hot pools with amazing views.
» Fox Hotel & Suites
Have you ever soaked in a cave-like indoor hot pool? You can do so at Fox Hotel & Suites!
Skating on Lake Louise
Being a high elevation glacial lake, Lake Louise typically thaws in late May or early June which means you can usually still walk or skate on it in April. It won’t have the clear blue ice in April as you can see on the right photo (that’s more of a November thing), it’ll be more like on the photo on the left. Note, that the conditions in the mountains vary from year to year, so you should always be cautious when it comes to wild ice, especially if there are above zero temperatures.
Related Blog Post: Banff in Winter: 20+ Best Things to Do
EVENTS HAPPENING IN BANFF IN APRIL
Untracked Concert Series at Banff Sunshine Village
Every weekend from early April to the end of skiing season, Banff Sunshine Village hosts live music in the heart of Canadian Rockies. Untracked Concert Series takes place at Mad Trapper’s Saloon.
Made with Love Banff Food and Cocktail Festival
Second half of April in Banff is all about good food and drink specialities! Made with Love is a new exciting festival that features vibrant local food and cocktail scene, outdoor tasting experiences and special menus in participating restaurants.
ShredAbility at Banff Sunshine Village
ShredAbility is a fundraiser event organized by Banff Sunshine Village and Rocky Mountain Adaptive when teams of 2 race around the mountain on skis, snowboard or sit ski and challenge themselves in Paralympic inspired zones
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING BANFF IN APRIL
» Be ready for a changeable weather
Winters in Canadian Rockies are much longer than in many other parts of the world and it’s most likely going to be colder in April than you’d think. Packing different layers is a very good idea as the weather can be changeable this time of a year. If you’re wondering what other months in Banff look like, see our Best time to visit Banff post where we break down each month in a year.
» Winter tires might be still useful
While the roads might be completely dry around the town of Banff, it can be a different story in higher elevation places and mountain passes. You should still keep the winter tires on if heading to Lake Louise or Icefields Parkway, just in case!
» Check road conditions
The changeable weather of this month brings unpredictable road conditions. It’s always good to check 511 Alberta before your drive to see current conditions.
» Purchase park pass
You’ll need a national park pass for visiting Banff NP or Kananaskis Conservation Pass if venturing to Kananaskis Country.
» Be wildlife aware
Bears come out of hibernation during April and other animals stay active throughout the whole year. Make noise, do not approach animals and carry a bear spray if venturing to trails.
» Moraine Lake Road is closed
Lots of visitors come to Banff to see the famous Moraine Lake, however the road is closed for personal vehicles year round and the public shuttles are running from beginning of June to mid October.
» Don’t expect to see the blue lakes
High elevation glacial lakes like Lake Louise, Bow Lake or Peyto Lake are still frozen in April, so don’t expect to see the bright blue water quite yet. Instead, pack a pair of skates if planning to visit Lake Louise!
» Hiking is limited
Rising temperatures typically bring increased avalanche danger and you should avoid trails that cross avalanche terrain if you don’t have a proper training and gear. You can still hit Johnston Canyon, Tunnel Mountain, Sulphur Mountain or Ha Ling Peak trails as these are on the safer side!
WHERE TO STAY IN BANFF IN APRIL
There is plenty of hotels, lodges or chalets that you can choose from when visiting Banff in April. If we’re honest with you, staying in Banff can get pretty expensive. However, April is when things get much more affordable as it’s so quiet, and it’s definitely one of the best months in terms of accommodation prices. Moose Hotel & Suites or Fox Hotel & Suites are popular options for travellers. Baker Creek Resort (on the photos) is amazing place to stay throughout the year, but especially during the colder months!
While booking ahead is always advised, you’ll probably have more options to choose from in April even if booking last minute. You can also try searching on Vrbo if you’re looking for more home-like experience. Lastly, we have a blog post about Unique Places to Stay in Canadian Rockies where we feature some of our favourite stays in the area!
FINAL THOUGHTS
April in Banff is a quiet time of a year and a perfect time to visit for those travelling on a budget! If you love skiing or snowboarding, or simply don’t mind to embrace the colder and changeable weather, you can have lots of fun! We hope this blog post helped to answer all of your questions about Banff in April, but don’t hesitate to leave us more questions below.
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