Thinking about visiting Banff in November and not sure what to expect? We’re here to help you find out!
November is considered to be one of the shoulder season months here in Canadian Rockies and it definitely is that time of a year when things slow down a lot. You might come across the opinions that this is the worst month of a year to visit. While it’s true that hiking season is over and skiing is not quite in the prime conditions yet, we personally believe there is a beauty to be found in Banff National Park any time of a year! In fact, there is a chance to witness some incredibly unique nature conditions in November and the lowest crowds as well as lowest prices are great added bonuses.
Now let’s talk about all the details, so you know what to expect!
BANFF WEATHER IN NOVEMBER
Like we mentioned before, November in Banff doesn’t have a great reputation and it is the least favourite month for many, but there are two things that always makes us really excited for this month! Number one is a combination of a first snow with lakes that aren’t frozen yet (sooo pretty!). Number two is when the lakes actually freeze for the very first time and you can experience skating on a clear wild ice! Of course, nothing is guaranteed in the mountains, but November is typically a month that brings these conditons. Either way, it’ll most likely be much colder than you expect!
The average temperatures range from about 1°C (33°F) to -8°C (17°F) between the day and night, so the winter is really taking over. In fact, ski resorts open again in the second half of the month starting one of the longest skiing seasons in North America. Whether you plan to ski or not, you’ll definitely want to pack winter clothes!
November in Banff is as quiet as it can get here, but there are still things to do and lots of fun events to attend, so let’s break it down!
THINGS TO DO IN BANFF IN NOVEMBER
Visiting lakes after a first snowfall
We always say that shoulder season in Rockies is so underrated and this photo taken in November is a proof of that! The first snowfall typically arrives some time before the lakes freeze over. And let us tell you something – the combination of open water and fresh snow is a PURE MAGIC! Late October and first half of November is usually the best time to witness these conditions. And the scenes like these are one of the reasons we can’t believe that this is the quietest time of a year! Here are some beautiful lakes you shouldn’t miss after the first snowfall comes to Banff National Park:
» Lake Louise
» Peyto Lake
» Emerald Lake
» Bow Lake
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! November is a great time for stargazing as we have some of the longest nights in a year that are not that crazy cold yet. 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 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
Skating on frozen lakes
Skating on wild ice is something that always gets our hearts pumping! There is something incredibly freeing about being in the middle of the lake knowing you can’t access these spots in other seasons and knowing there is a whole other world underneath you. While skating on lakes is definitely possible throughout the winter, November is typically the month you can catch the clear ice without snow right after the lakes freeze for the very first time. It is easily our favourite thing to do in Banff during the colder months and again – one of the main reasons we think the shoulder season in Canadian Rockies is incredibly underrated! These are some epic lakes for wild ice skating around Banff:
» Vermilion Lakes
» Lake Louise
» Johnson Lake
» Spray Lakes Reservoir
» Gap Lake
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. Every year can be completely different.
» 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.
Observing frozen bubbles
Frozen bubbles are cool natural phenomenon that occurs when methane bubbles rise to the surface and become trapped in the ice as the lake freezes. These bubbles can be seen in many different frozen lakes in Canadian Rockies, but they obviously need to be clear of snow – which often happens in November!
Now if seeing frozen bubbles is your number one bucket list experience, then you’ll want to plan your visit a bit later in the season. By far the best place to go to see frozen bubbles is Abraham lake, but due to its size, it typically freezes later in the season. Best time to catch the frozen bubbles at Abraham Lake is usually between early January to late February.
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 November. 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.
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! November is one of the best times to check some hot springs 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!
Skiing & snowboarding
Believe it or not, but skiing in Banff in November is possible! With a season that can last up to 7 months, it is no surprise that Banff is one of the North America’s best skiing destinations. While the season typically runs from November to May, you’ll want to visit a bit later than in November if perfect skiing conditions are your priority. December to mid April is when the conditions tend to be ideal. There are three ski resorts in Banff National Park:
» 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!
Related Blog Post: Banff in Winter: 20+ Best Things to Do
EVENTS HAPPENING IN BANFF IN NOVEMBER
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.
Banff Mountain Film Festival
Banff Mountain Film Festival runs every year from late October to early November, bringing films and stories of adventure and mountain culture from around the world to Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity!
Hot Chocolate Trail
Shoulder season in Banff is a good time for doing a flavourful adventure through the town! More than 20 restaurants and cafes each offer a limited-time festive-themed hot chocolate as part of Hot Chocolate Trail event that starts in mid November and runs to the end of the year.
In Search of Christmas Spirit
Someone might say that November is a bit too early for Christmas activities, but our winters are much longer, so we’re allowed to bring the holiday spirit into town sooner! In Search of Christmas Spirit is a free (but ticketed) outdoor experience at Cascade of Time where a live Christmas story is told by the wildlife of Banff National Park. The event runs from mid November to the end of the year.
Banff Craft Beer Festival
Beer lovers might as well plan their November visit around Banff Craft Beer Festival! This event is all about treating your taste buds as you can try food and drinks of over 40 vendors from across the province!
Banff Christmas Market
November in Banff is a time to start enjoying the holiday cheer before the actual holiday crowds arrive. Banff Christmas Market happens on the weekends in second half of November and takes place at Warner Stables. There are over 100 artisinal vendors, live music and much more. This is a ticketed event!
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING BANFF IN NOVEMBER
» It’s wintery!
Winter arrives much sooner in Canadian Rockies than in other parts of the world and you’ll definitely want to pack winter boots and clothes when visiting Banff in November! Don’t expect any fall colors in November. 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 once the first snow comes. And chances are, you’ll be glad to have them in November!
» Check road conditions
November is one of the months with a very changeable weather which can bring 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 typically go into hibernation from October to November, but they can awaken during their sleep and other animals stay active throughout the year. Make noise, do not approach animals and carry a bear spray if venturing to trails (even in the winter).
» 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.
WHERE TO STAY IN BANFF IN NOVEMBER
There is plenty of hotels, lodges or chalets that you can choose from when visiting Banff in November. If we’re honest with you, staying in Banff can get pretty expensive. However, November is when things get much more affordable 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.
While booking ahead is always advised, you’ll probably have more options to choose from in November 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
November in Banff is a wonderful time to visit for those who don’t mind embracing the colder weather and want to see the park without the crowds and for better prices. We hope this blog post helped you to determine if it’s a good month to visit for you and if there are questions we haven’t answered – feel free to ask in the comments below!
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