Early winter · Weather & things to do
Jasper in December
This is the coldest month in Jasper: highs average 25°F (-4°C) and lows 11°F (-12°C), with about 1.1 in (29 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 45/100 (10th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 25°F (-4°C)
- Avg low
- 11°F (-12°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.1 in (29 mm)
- Humidity
- 94%
- Cloud cover
- 75%
- Daylight
- ~7 h 22 min
- Comfort score
- 45/100 · Fair
What December feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 25°F (-4°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Average lows of 11°F (-12°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Precipitation is light, about 1.1 in (29 mm) of rain or snow, and since the average temperature is below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 75%.
Daylight is short, roughly 7 h 22 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are July & August.
- Shortest days of the year, about 7 h 22 min of daylight.
- Comfort improves from 42/100 in November to 45/100.
- 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 11°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 Jasper in December
With highs near 25°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Maligne Lake Cruise
Boat cruise to Spirit Island on Jasper's largest lake.
Athabasca Falls
Powerful falls squeezing through a quartzite gorge.
Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure
Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier from the Icefield Centre.
Jasper Brewing Co.
Brewpub on Connaught Drive, the first brewery in a Canadian national park.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 25°F.
Sunwapta Falls
Falls cutting through a gorge just off the Icefields Parkway.
Nearby in December
- Lake Louise in December~129 mi · highs 19°F, 2.6 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Banff in December~158 mi · highs 21°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Whistler in December~283 mi · highs 33°F, 9.6 in rain or snow · 4°C (8°F) warmer by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,786 m to Jasper's ~1,060 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.
Jasper in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Jasper?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 45/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are July & August. Expect highs of 25°F (-4°C) and 1.1 in (29 mm) of rain or snow. Our Banff & Jasper Loop recommends Jun – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Jasper in December?
Average highs are 25°F (-4°C) and average lows 11°F (-12°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Jasper in December?
Not much: about 1.1 in (29 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 26.6 in (676 mm).
What should I pack for Jasper in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 11°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 Jasper in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.