I recall getting off the plane in Austin TX in July - the heat hits you over the head...As a Canadian who thinks nothing of be out in -30F weather and hates +95F I toughed it out.

Canada in the winter especially in the rockies is a wonderful place.

So the next time you are sitting in rush hour traffic on Stemmings Freeway, think of what it would be like to hear the sound of snow crunching under your feet, making stars in the snow, the silence of the forest..until a raven starts squawking or boarding/skiing down a mountain on a sunny day or chilling out in a cafe with a nice cup of hot chocolate.

Hello mrkindallas. There are many on this board who appreciate your original post, so thank you for the link and your tips. Personally, my experience with Fodor's Canada board has been 100% positive with respect to helpful, patient, positive and knowledgeable advice - so please read any and all responses with that in mind.

Enjoy your trip to Canada. You'll be in one of the most stunningly beautiful areas in this country and I know that, whatever the weather, you'll be be in awe! Looking forward to your trip report when you return.

Studying weather "averages" is a positively futile endeavor. There also is absolutely no telling whether the "probability of the predictions being correct" will occur while you happen to be there either.

If you're going to Banff/Lake Louise in January, you should expect winter weather. Could be the worst expected - or not. Whether it will be "horrible" or not depends upon your expectations. It will, indeed, be WINTER.

An example: We live in New Hampshire and often head for the White Mountains in the fall. Some years (on the very same weekend) we've glad we've brought our down parkas for the frigid and gloomy weather, other years it's been over 80 and we're wearing shorts and tee-shirts. Once in a while, it' been in-between.