Early winter · Weather & things to do
Banff in December
This is the coldest month in Banff: highs average 21°F (-6°C) and lows 6°F (-15°C), with about 1.9 in (48 mm) of rain or snow.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 46/100, 9th of 12.
- Avg high
- 21°F (-6°C)
- Avg low
- 6°F (-15°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.9 in (48 mm)
- Humidity
- 96%
- Cloud cover
- 68%
- Daylight
- ~7 h 41 min
- Comfort score
- 46/100 · Fair
What December feels like
Highs only reach about 21°F (-6°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Average lows of 6°F (-15°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
About 1.9 in (48 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with temperatures averaging below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Only about 7 h 41 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December sits mid-table; the best months are July & August.
- Shortest days of the year, about 7 h 41 min of daylight.
- Comfort holds steady from November (44 → 46/100).
- Our Banff & Jasper Loop recommends Jun – Sep, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 6°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Banff in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Banff Gondola
Gondola up Sulphur Mountain to a summit boardwalk with views over six ranges.
Johnston Canyon
Catwalks bolted into a limestone canyon lead to Lower and Upper Falls.
Cave and Basin National Historic Site
Birthplace of Canada's national parks, with a thermal cave and marsh boardwalk.
Wild Flour Bakery
Banff bakery-café for breakfast sandwiches, pastries and coffee.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 21°F.
Park Distillery
Banff's distillery restaurant with glacier-water spirits, cocktails and campfire-style cooking.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Nearby in December
- Lake Louise in December~31 mi · highs 19°F, 2.6 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Jasper in December~158 mi · highs 25°F, 1.1 in rain or snow · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, drier
- Glacier National Park in December~185 mi · highs 21°F, 2.6 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,960 m to Banff's ~1,388 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Banff in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Banff?
It's middling, scoring 46/100. The best months are July & August, at up to 89. Expect highs of 21°F (-6°C) and 1.9 in (48 mm) of rain or snow. Our Banff & Jasper Loop recommends Jun – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Banff in December?
Average highs are 21°F (-6°C) and average lows 6°F (-15°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Banff in December?
Not much: about 1.9 in (48 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 3rd-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 30.9 in (785 mm).
What should I pack for Banff in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 6°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Banff in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.