Know before you go
Travelling to Banff National Park and Canada for the first time? Here is some basic travel information to help with your planning process.
Banff and Lake Louise at a glance:
- Location: Alberta, Canada
- Time zone: Mountain Standard Time (UTC -7)
- Closest Airport: Calgary International Airport (YYC)
- Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD)
- Local transit service: Roam Transit
- Parks Canada: All visitors require a Park Pass
- Access to Moraine Lake: Shuttles / tours need to be pre-booked (Summer only)
The most wonderful time of the year!
Looking to spend the festive season in Banff and Lake Louise? The magic of the mountains is even more special around the holidays.
Celebrate with your family and friends. Indulge in magical moments with six weeks of festivities, kicking off in late November with the Santa Claus Celebration of Lights. Drop by the Banff Christmas Market, find magic in the dazzling lights of In Search of Christmas Spirit and feel the warmth as you sip on a specialty hot chocolate.
The entire winter season is full of fun events and festivities, including Ice Magic and Snow Days. Check out the full event calendar here. We look forward to sharing our home with you.
Banff is located in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It's one of five national parks in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. It is located along the TransCanada Highway, a well maintained road open year-round. The closest international airport is Calgary (130 km/87 miles away). You can get here by car, shuttle service or RV. To know more about getting around Banff, visit here.
Banff National Park sees mild summers and cold, snowy winters. It’s been said that the most reliable characteristic of Banff and Lake Louise’s weather is its unpredictability. Be prepared! Make the most of your visit to Banff and Lake Louise by packing for all weather possibilities and checking the forecast and conditions before your trip. Check out the season information here
Check out the weather today and for the next few days in Banff & Lake Louise with our webcams. Keep in mind that temperatures will vary depending on what time of day it is and what elevation you're at. These webcams might help also help to assess traffic conditions.
Before deciding how to spend the day exploring Moraine Lake, it's essential to work out how you'll get there first. You can't drive personal vehicles up Moraine Lake Road at any time of day. This means you must hike, bike, take a shuttle or transit, or go on a tour. To help with your planning, we have created a handy list of all of the options, check it out here. Moraine Lake Road is only open to visitors in Summer.
Get your Winter Park Pass
Don't forget to buy your Park Pass. Everyone visiting Banff or Lake Louise needs to purchase a Park Pass for entry into the National Park. Buy yours online and save time and hassle when arriving at the park entrance.