What To Do In Banff In November
Photos at Johnston Canyon's lower falls on a guided icewalk with Discover Banff Tours

Banff in November is one of the quietest times of the year to experience the Canadian Rockies, making it the best time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds. Even though November is somewhat of an off-season in Banff, there are still plenty of fun things to do during your trip.

Travelers who plan to visit Banff in November can explore Johnston Canyon’s thundering falls as they begin to freeze, the stunning Canadian Rockies as they sit under a sparkling blanket of snow, and many other beautiful sights and memorable activities to experience.

There’s lots to do, plenty to see, and essential traveling details to catch up on. So, get ready to schedule your trip and learn everything you need to know with the helpful information below about Banff in November.

Bow Valley Parkway winter drive to Johnston Canyon with Discover Banff Tours

What to expect from Banff’s weather in November

Fall is gone and winter is in full force—so, you can expect frosty weather with average temperatures around 1-2℃. By the end of November, snow will be covering the ground, so the chill isn’t just in the air, it’s beneath your feet.

The weather and conditions around Lake Louise in November

Lake Louise is starting to freeze and remains a popular destination, so we want to make sure you have all the information you need. The temps here are also around 1-2℃. It can get pretty windy, and there is around a 30% chance that you will see either rain or snow. All this means is that you need to plan ahead so that you can enjoy Lake Louise to the fullest.

What to pack for your trip to Banff in November

Packing well becomes really important when the temperatures start to drop and precipitation starts to fall, so we want to make sure you’re prepared. A good jacket, a hat, mittens, a scarf, warm socks, sweaters, and layers are a must. You’ll also want a really good pair of boots because sneakers won’t do the trick once November rolls around. If you want to learn more about what to pack, you can check out our Banff seasonal packing guide.

Winter family sightseeing in Banff
Photo Credit: Devaan Ingraham / Banff & Lake Louise Tourism

1. See the frozen falls at Johnston Canyon

The frozen falls at Johnston Cayon are truly a sight to behold and you can beat the crowds to them by visiting in November. You will follow the built-in steel catwalks through the canyon, see great pillars of ice, and see multiple perspectives of this natural beauty—from the lower falls where you can traverse a natural cave to the awe-inducing upper icefalls where you can warm up with a hot chocolate. If you want to sip on a hot chocolate and hit the canyon’s best spots, our Icewalk of Johnston Canyon is a great option! It’s recognised as a Canadian Signature Experience – a collection of once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences found only in Canada.

See the frozen upper falls on the Johnston Canyon Icewalk with Discover Banff Tours

2. Observe Lake Louise as it starts to freeze

Winter is approaching and there has never been a better time to see the rare sight of thawed, blue lakes with a blanket of snow around them. This narrow window is arguably the most beautiful time to see the world-famous Lake Louise. Not only will you have the place to yourself, but you’ll get to see it in a state not many ever do. 

You can save yourself the parking hassles on a guided tour from Banff with a scenic drive along the Bow Valley Parkway on the Discover Lake Louise Fall Tour. You might even see the ice start to form on this famous lake!

See Lake Louise surrounded by snow on the fall tour with Discover Banff Tours
Photo Credit: Mital Patel @mitalpatelphoto
See Lake Louise Fall Tour

 

3. Explore a wild, undeveloped cave

Venture underground into Rat’s Nest Cave – a wild, undeveloped cave under Grotto Mountain; near Banff and Canmore. These guided natural history tours take you climbing, crawling and even squeezing through the depths of the cave.

See the Grand Gallery in Rats Nest Cave on a Canmore Cave Tour in the Canadian Rockies
Photo Credit: Canmore Cave Tours

4. Gaze upon the Canadian Rockies by helicopter

The Canadian Rockies are spectacular at any time of year— so, take to the skies to get a jaw-dropping birds-eye-view! You can take a sightseeing helicopter flight near Banff to see the turquoise rivers and lakes start to freeze and the snowcapped mountain peaks that surrounded them. For that truly romantic occasion, our top pick is the Private Marvel Pass Flight, which includes a 20-minute stopover at Marvel Pass at 7,200 feet overlooking Aurora Lake and surrounded by towering peaks.

Alpine Heli Tour flying over Lake Gloria
Photo Credit: Alpine Heli
Explore Helicopter Tours

 

5. Take in Banff’s best viewpoints

As the weather starts to cool, there’s no better time to see ice forming on the lakes and mountain tops covered in snow. You can explore on your own or you can join a small group tour of Banff that can take you to the best viewpoints with ease (and the possibility to spot elk, deer, and bighorn sheep!). Some of our favourite sights are the Surprise Corner viewpoint of the ‘Castle in the Rockies’, Lake Minnewanka, and the Hoodoos Viewpoint.

For an extra special experience, we recommend the Discover Banff Tour with Gondola, which includes your Banff Gondola ticket and dropoff at your hotel after the tour.

Hoodoods viewpoint on the winter Discover Banff Tour

6. Visit a wolfdog sanctuary

Located just an hour from Banff between Banff and Calgary, the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary is a not-for-profit organisation that rehabilitates and regimes displaced wolf dogs. On top of their wonderful mission and also offer a variety of tours to see wolf dogs up close and learn more about these amazing animals. They have an easy self-guided tour, an intro tour, and an interactive tour that allows you to not just learn about, but interact with the wolf dogs. The interactive tour can sell out weeks in advance, so make sure to book ahead!

Meet wolfdogs on the interactive tour at the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary

See Wolfdog Tours

Even though November is one of Banff’s slowest months, there is still so much to explore, and you can do it all without the crowds! Are you going to beat the crowds to Johnston Cayon, take a gorgeous flight over the snow-capped mountains, or meet some amazing wolf dogs? No matter what you choose, you will be sure to fall in love with the place we call home. 

Is your time in Banff starting in October or extending into December? Check out our recommendations for What To Do In Banff In October and What To Do In Banff In December! For more information and exploration of Banff, visit our blog.

The best Banff activities in November

Wolfdog Sanctuary - Self Guided

The self-guided walk through this Wolfdog Sanctuary in the Yamnuska area lets visitors see the sanctuary at their own pace,
Throughout the day
1 Hour

Wolfdog Sanctuary - Intro

Want to know more about wolfdogs? Learn all about the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary and our wolfdog rescue initiatives during a
10:45am, 2:15pm, 3:45pm, 12:15pm
30 Mins

Lake Louise Spring & Fall Tour

Tour one of the most beautiful and iconic lakes in the world—Lake Louise. Famous for its jewel-like water and nestled
1:00pm
4.25 Hours

Icefields Helicopter Tours

See the Canadian Rockies on our spectacular Icefield helicopter tours with breathtaking views of glaciers, icefalls, waterfalls, alpine lakes and
Throughout the day
20 Mins, 30 Mins, 55 Mins

Private Banff Heli Sightseeing

Located on the south west border of Banff National Park, Marvel Pass has long been a favourite spot for that
Throughout the day
55 Mins
Feed wolfdogs on an interactive tour with Discover Banff Tours
Limited Space

Wolfdog Sanctuary - Interactive

Come enjoy an up-close and intimate look at wolves and wolfdogs on this semi-private guided sanctuary tour with plenty of photo
10:30am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:30pm
45 Mins
Johnston Canyon Icewalk in Banffwith Discover Banff Tours
Most Popular

Johnston Canyon Icewalk®

Johnston Canyon is one of Banff National Park’s most beloved attractions, and the wintertime Icewalk is an expedition that all
8:30am, 1:30pm
4 Hours
9:30am, 11:00am, 12:30pm
4.5 Hours

Canmore Caves Adventure Tour

Adventure Cave Tours: Go Spelunking in Canmore, near Banff, in Rat's Nest Cave Explore Canada like you never have before
8:45am, 10:15am, 11:45am
6 Hours
Most Popular

Canmore Helicopter Tours

A once in a lifetime experience to fly over mountain peaks, alpine meadows, pristine lakes and to the “Matterhorn of
Throughout the day
25 Mins, 35 Mins, 45 Mins

Is there snow in Banff in November?

Skiing kicks off in Banff in November, and you may catch the occasional snowfall but it usually doesn’t stick around until December when the temperatures dip lower.

What is there to do in Banff in November?

November is one of the quietest times to experience the Canadian Rockies, and a great time for seeing frozen falls at Johnston Canyon, helicopter flights, caving and wolfdog sanctuary tours.

Is Lake Louise frozen in November?

Lake Louise typically freezes over in mid November, and it’s a beautiful time to see the icy waters surrounded by snow.

Is Johnston Canyon open in winter?

Johnston Canyon is open year round, and winter is a great time to visit the frozen falls. Parking is limited, so plan a backup option or join a guided tour.

Are there helicopter tours in Banff?

The closest helicopter flights depart from Canmore, 20 minutes from Banff, and take you above Banff National Park to see glaciers, forests and mountain peaks.

Where can I see wolves in Banff?

Located an hour from Banff in Cochrane, Alberta, the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary rescues displaced wolfdogs. Visitors can enjoy interpretive talks at the sanctuary and view wolfdogs up close.