Best time to go to Canadian Rockies
 

I would like to spend a week in the Rockies; I do not want to go during the winter or when it is likely to rain.
Is there a time when good weather (ie, 50 plus, little rain) is likely and the number of tourists is not at its peak?
Thanks.

Hmm. Good weather and no tourists? I don't think this AND condition is likely.

I suggest mid June or mid September.
The problem with late spring is capricious weather and the threat of avalanches in some areas. By mid to late September, you might have a golden day, or you might have a sleet storm.

Also, a lot depends on where you want to go. At the higher elevations frozen precipitation is a possibility even in late August.

I can remember hiking in 5 inches of snow at Lake O'Hara on August 24 and a being pelted with wind-blown sleet on the Iceline Trail in the first week of September.

Mountains make their own weather and predicting exactly what will happen is not possible.

The most likely time for good weather as you describe it is from mid June through the first week of September.

At least that has been my experience.
Personally, I don't like mid June because the high lakes, around 6 - 7,000 feet high are still frozen over and some trails are still closed because of ice patches in critical spots.

Even in early July Lake McArthur, which is at about 7,400 feet, can be 70% ice covered. Lake Louise is about 5,700 feet above sea level, so it should be relatively ice free by July 4th.

Late June, maybe, before school is out.

I've been in Banff on Labour Day in the snow.

But the weather is variable, and mid-May to late Septermber could meet your requirements.

BAK

We have been to the area in early to mid September for the last 2 years, and have loved this time. While there is a chance of rain and snow (both of which we encountered on both trips), there is also a great chance of some beautiful weather (even shorts and t-shirts!). The lakes look gorgeous and have been accessible at that time, in our experience. Crowds have not been a problem.

This year we are going in late May, mainly due to a family member's limited availability. We are looking forward to seeing how the area looks at this time of year, but I'm sad to think that we probably won't be able to get to one of our favorites - Takakkaw Falls - and possibly not to Moraine Lake either.

So, my vote would be late August or up to mid September.

I wouldn't get too worried about the number of tourists. The Canadian Rockies spans a big area and while some areas will be crowded, getting away from the parking lot will get you away from most of the people. We did a few short hikes and had the trail to ourselves much of the time. Certain places will be crowded unless you are there very early. Johnston Canyon was one that was for us as was the trail to Parker's Ridge, but they were still nice.

We went in July and even though there were tourists everywhere it did not seem overwhelming ...

We were there in midd june 2004, and had very nice weather; no rain, only sunny days, not too hot, no cold. However, I understood from messages in a discussion forum, that a week after this, it was very cold. So, you never can be sure..

We are planning to be in the LL/Banff area in the period of June 23-June27.
If the lakes are thawed by then, does it mean we are probably going to see the turquoise water or does the colors come later in the summer?

(this is seemingly a stupid question, but we're coming a long ways to see the beautiful colors in the canadian rockies, so we would really like to know. We might even consider delaying our entire trip to later,if "necessary" .

Thanks for your feedback.

As soon as the lakes are thawed, you get to see their turquoise colour.

You are going at what I consider to be an ideal time, namely, the second half of June. Another good time to go is September. These are times when the lakes are looking their best, but tourism is less busy than it is in July and August.

You will just escape the Canada Day long weekend (around July 1st), when the busy season in the mountains starts.

Thanks Judy for your reply ; we'll be keeping our original plans. (was not looking forward to rebook the whole trip :)

Hey now. Come on. The crowds are not THAT bad except maybe on the streets of Banff or in Lake Louise Village.

I have been to Takkakaw Falls many times in the high season. Tain't that bad. It is not like you cannot see the falls!

Nor is it that you cannot see Moraine Lake, for gosh sakes. Just climb up on that rock pile at the end of the lake and people don't usually make it up there.

The only two places I have been where the crowd was thick are Johnston Canyon where I could not find a place to park, and Peyto Lake because every tour bus in captivity stops there.

I will admit also that the paved area at the chateau end of Lake Louise can get thick as well, particularly after 9 am when the tour buses begin to multiply in the parking lot and disgorge twice as many passengers as they seemingly can hold.

Solution, walk a half a mile on the trail and people start to drop away.

I guarantee you that if you hike up to Farview Mountain that the crowd will be sort of thin. Moreover, you will enjoy those who are up there. Better still, the view of Lake Louise is without peer!


Also, if you want an uncrowded view of Takkakaw, hike up the side of the valley on the Iceline Trail that starts at Whiskey Jack Hostel. Once you are up above the level of the brink of the falls, you can see it in total. Not many people up there to block your view!\

Just take binoculars!!

marking