Planning a trip to Banff in January and wondering what to expect? You’ve come to the right place! This blog post is all about Banff in January – from what the weather looks like to best things to do and events you can attend during your stay. We personally love this month for chasing frozen waterfalls, because that really is something unique that you cannot witness in many other parts of the world. It sure is a crispy month, but you’ve probably heard that saying. There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. So if you’re ready to embrace the winter, let’s get to everything you need to know before your visit!
BANFF WEATHER IN JANUARY
January is typically the coldest month in Banff in the whole year. Not originally coming from Canada, we like to say that January’s outdoor activities are for the brave ones haha.
The average January temperatures in town can range from about -5°C (23°F) to -15°C (5°F) between the day and night, however we occasionally get severe temperature drops that go even below -30°C (-22°F) and days with wind chills can also feel much colder than what you see on the thermometer. That being said, Alberta’s climate is very dry, which makes the cold more bearable comparing to the wet cold climates.
Banff in January can be a magical experience as Canadian Rockies are blanketed in snow and look like a winter wonderland. Things slow down a bit after holidays and with these cold temperatures, it’s a good time to enjoy Rockies with fewer crowds. Plus there is usually plenty of sunny days too. This is a perfect month to explore all things frozen, but you’ll definitely want to pack lots of layers and keep moving while outside!
THINGS TO DO IN BANFF IN JANUARY
Skiing & snowboarding
With a skiing season that can last up to 7 months, it is no surprise that Banff is one of the North America’s best skiing destinations. Season typically runs from November to May, with ideal conditions from December to mid-April. Banff is home to three ski resorts:
» 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!
Crosscountry skiing
Downhill skiing is what typically comes to mind with winter in Banff, but there are some beautiful cross-country skiing trails too and many of them are trackset. Pick one of the recommended cross-country ski trails from Parks Canada website for an amazing active winter day. We personally love the Spray River West Trail as you can easily jump on the Roam bus that will take you to the beginning of this double track-set trail. As we previously mentioned, avalanche danger exists during the winter in Banff NP, so make sure to read through our checklist in the next article section. Lastly, you can consider taking a beginner lesson if you want to try cross-country skiing for the first time:
Winter hiking, snowshoeing and icewalks
Winter hiking around Banff is definitely a bit more limited comparing to summer, but not impossible! There is plenty of beautiful trails that you can visit in the winter and everything looks sooo pretty with a layer of snow. That being said, it’s important to keep in mind that avalanche danger exists in the mountains around Banff from November to June. If you have no experience in avalanche terrain, we’d highly recommend sticking to recommended winter hiking trails or snowshoeing trails from Parks Canada website. These trails stay pretty well-trafficked throughout the whole year, making it easy to visit them even without snowshoes. You should however consider packing them after a fresh snowfall. Here are some of the best hiking/snowshoeing trails to visit in Banff in January:
» Johnston Canyon
» Tunnel Mountain
» Sulphur Mountain
» Sundance Canyon
» Peyto Lake Viewpoint
» Taylor Lake
» Fairview Lookout
Winter hiking/snowshoeing safety checklist:
» Always check avalanche danger conditions before hitting any trail. Avalanche Canada is a great resource for doing that!
» Check chosen trail conditions on Parks Canada website.
» Bring ice cleats/microspikes! Trails can get slippery and having ice cleats or microspikes on your shoes makes all the difference. You can rent them in Banff, but there is plenty affordable options on Amazon for pretty much the same price as 1-day rental.
» Pack extra layers. Temperatures are dropping quickly once the sun goes behind the mountains and you never know what can happen, so having extra layers is extremely important!
» Beware of wildlife – While bears are denning during the winter, they can awaken any time and other wildlife like cougars or wolfs stay active. Make noise, carry bear spray and do not approach the animals.
» Consider carrying satellite communicator such as Garmin inReach (Amazon Canada or Amazon US) if venturing to poor or no cell service areas.
Exploring frozen waterfalls
Canadian Rockies are known to be a home of beautiful waterfalls that you can visit during summer, but they are just as magical in the winter when they freeze! Imagine hiking through a beautiful winter landscape with a real treat in the end! Before heading out, make sure to check our winter hiking/snowshoeing checklist that we’ve mentioned earlier in this article. Can’t miss frozen waterfalls around Banff in January:
» Johnston Canyon
» Frozen waterfalls at the end of Lake Louise
» Wapta Falls
» Grotto Canyon
» Troll Falls
Ice climbing
As the temperatures drop and waterfalls freeze into icy sculptures, it’s time for another unique and exhilarating activity – ice climbing. Whether you’re a seasoned climber or a novice eager to experience the thrill from this adrenaline activity, Banff is a perfect playground inviting everyone. Johnston Canyon, Cascade Falls, and the spectacular Icefields Parkway are just a few of the iconic locations where ice climbers test their skills. Never tried ice climbing before? Try one of these beginner-friendly guided tours:
» Banff: Introduction to Ice Climbing for Beginners
» Experience Ice Climbing in Banff, Canada
Hot springs
There’s nothing like soaking your body in a hot water after a cold day spent outside. Can’t get much better than that! There are few options to do so in or around Banff:
» 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 frozen lakes & observing frozen bubbles
Skating on wild ice is something that always get our hearts pumping! There is something incredibly freeing about being in the middle of the lake knowing you can’t access these places in other seasons and knowing there is a whole other world underneath you. It is easily our favourite thing to do in Banff during all winter months! While the clear ice mostly happens when the lakes freeze for the first time around November, some bigger lakes (like Minnewanka or Abraham lake) freeze later in the season and there might be another chance to catch epic conditions in January.
Wild ice skating safety checklist:
» It’s extremely important to realize that skating on wild life involves some risks. Take safety precautions before venturing onto any frozen lake.
» Check the ice thickness. Recommended minimum ice thickness is at least 4″ (10 cm) for a single person and 8″ (20 cm) for a group of skaters. Ice screws that are typically used for ice climbing can be also used to quickly test ice thickness. You can consider these ice screws from MEC.ca.
» Consider recent weather conditions.
» Remember that every lake needs different amount of time to be safe to skate on. If you saw people skating on a lake, it doesn’t mean that it’s safe to skate on and it certainly doesn’t mean that another lake is safe to skate on.
» Don’t go skating alone.
» Avoid areas that are close to a river or creek entering the lake.
» Consider carrying satellite communicator such as Garmin inReach (Amazon Canada or Amazon US) if venturing to poor or no cell service areas.
Related Blog Post: Banff in Winter: 20+ Best Things to Do
BANFF JANUARY EVENTS
Banff SnowDays Festival
Banff SnowDays Festival is a 12 days celebration of all things wintery! The festival starts in third week of January and goes to the beginning of February with multiple events and activities happening around Banff and Lake Louise. Think winter galleries with ice and snow sculptures, play zone or skijoring event. Lot of fun! The whole program can be found on here.
Nightrise at the Banff Gondola
The Nightrise comes to life as the sun sets over the Banff National Park and it’s a whole different way to experience the Banff Gondola and Sulphur Mountain summit! This after-dark multimedia experience runs every year from mid November to the end of March and always starts after a sunset, which means you’ll have to book your tickets accordingly.
Ice Magic at Lake Louise
Ice Magic is actually a part of the SnowDays Festival, but it takes place in Lake Louise on selected weekend evenings in January and February and it’s a ticketed event. Visitors take a stroll through ice sculpture gallery while being surrounded by beautiful nature of Canadian Rockies.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING BANFF IN JANUARY
» She’s a cold one!
Winter temperatures in Banff can go below -30° on extreme days, so make sure to have the warmest clothes you own!
» She’s a long one!
Winter in Banff lasts much longer than in other parts of the world. 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.
» Winterize your vehicle
Even though winter tires are not required by law in Alberta (with some exceptions such as on Icefields Parkway), we’d absolutely not recommend driving without them.
» 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 can awaken during their winter sleep and other animals stay active throughout the year. Make noise, do not approach them and carry bear spray.
WHERE TO STAY IN BANFF IN JANUARY
There is plenty of hotels, lodges or chalets that you can choose from when visiting Banff in January. If we’re honest with you, staying in Banff can get pretty expensive. It is simply the centre of all activities in Banff NP, so there is a price that comes with it. Moose Hotel & Suites or Fox Hotel & Suites are popular options for travellers. Keep in mind that Banff gets busy during both summer and winter months, so make sure to book in advance. 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
Visiting Banff in January is like stepping into a winter wonderland that offers all winter activities that you can think of! It’s truly a magical (though cold) time of a year to visit and we hope this guide will be helpful for your planning. Are there questions we haven’t answered? Leave us a comment below and we’ll do our best to help!
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