Early winter · Weather & things to do
Lake Louise in December
This is the coldest month in Lake Louise: highs average 19°F (-7°C) and lows 4°F (-15°C), with about 2.6 in (66 mm) of rain or snow.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 43/100, 7th of 12.
- Avg high
- 19°F (-7°C)
- Avg low
- 4°F (-15°C)
- Rain or snow
- 2.6 in (66 mm)
- Humidity
- 95%
- Cloud cover
- 73%
- Daylight
- ~7 h 38 min
- Comfort score
- 43/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Highs only reach about 19°F (-7°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Average lows of 4°F (-15°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
About 2.6 in (66 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 38 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 38 min of daylight.
- Comfort improves from 37/100 in November to 43/100.
- 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 4°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 2.6 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Lake Louise in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Lake Louise Village Grill & Bar
Family-run since 1990 above Samson Mall. Burgers and Chinese-Western comfort food, open late with a full bar.
Lake Louise Gondola
Summer gondola on the ski hill with grizzly-habitat views and an interpretive centre.
Moraine Lake
Glacier-fed lake below the Valley of the Ten Peaks; reached only by shuttle or tour.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Boathouse
Rent a red canoe for a paddle on Lake Louise.
Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail
Flat path along the turquoise lake toward Victoria Glacier.
Nearby in December
- Banff in December~31 mi · highs 21°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Jasper in December~129 mi · highs 25°F, 1.1 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, drier
- Glacier National Park in December~212 mi · highs 21°F, 2.6 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Whistler in December~310 mi · highs 33°F, 9.6 in rain or snow · 7°C (13°F) warmer by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~2,099 m to Lake Louise's ~1,540 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.
Lake Louise in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Lake Louise?
It's middling, scoring 43/100. The best months are July & August, at up to 86. Expect highs of 19°F (-7°C) and 2.6 in (66 mm) of rain or snow. Our Banff & Jasper Loop recommends Jun – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Lake Louise in December?
Average highs are 19°F (-7°C) and average lows 4°F (-15°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Lake Louise in December?
Some: about 2.6 in (66 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 2nd-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 37.8 in (961 mm).
What should I pack for Lake Louise in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 4°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 2.6 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Lake Louise
Planning Lake Louise in December?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.