Canada has four well-defined seasons, each equally beautiful. Each season is ideal in its own way for travellers to enjoy their Canada multi-centre holidays. The best time to visit Canada depends on which region you are visiting and what you are looking to do there.
Summer: June to August is the high tourist season with locals and tourists looking to make the best of the great weather. Long, sunny days and temperatures in the 20s C (and sometimes 30s) bring people into city streets and nature trails in national parks. The humidity is slightly higher during these months, but it’s not uncomfortable.
Autumn/Fall: September and October see cooler temperatures. The scenery changes as trees display their fall colours—deep reds, fiery goldens, bright yellows, and more. Autumn is the best time to visit Niagara Falls in Canada—the summer crowds are gone, and you can see the waterfalls against a riot of colours..
Further north in the Yukon, it is salmon spawning season, so you can watch bears make their way to waterbodies to catch their favourite snack.
Winter: Winter sets in by October and November, with some places receiving their first snowfall as early as mid-October. Resorts prepare for ski season. From December to March, the slopes are full of skiers and snowboarders, as it is the best time to go to Canada for winter adventures. Be sure to layer up for sub-zero temperatures. The lively Quebec Winter Carnival takes place in late January and early February. This is the best time to visit Canada if you plan to see the Northern Lights.
Spring: By April, it starts to warm up, and it’s the last chance to hit the ski slopes. Weather conditions can be unpredictable, and you may experience rain, snow, and sunshine within the span of a few days. By May, temperatures are in the double digits, making it the best time to visit Canada without the crowds.
Sightseeing and hiking: June to August provide the best conditions for outdoor activities, with 12-15 hours of daylight and moderate temperatures. However, it is also when the country’s national parks receive the most visitors, so book ahead, especially if you want to visit popular destinations such as Banff or Jasper.
Northern Lights: With much of Canada inside the Auroral Oval, the country offers fabulous opportunities to witness the Northern Lights. The best time to experience this phenomenon is from November to March-April and late August to October. Northern Manitoba, Alberta, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories are the best places to see the Northern Lights.
Whale watching: The giants of the ocean visit the waters off Canada’s coasts between April and October. Victoria, Vancouver, and Tofino are some of the best places in British Columbia to go whale watching.
Skiing and winter activities: The skiing season can start as early as mid-November and extend as late as mid-April. Peak season is from mid-December to March. British Columbia has some of the best ski resorts in the province, including famous Whistler Blackcomb
With significant temperature variations between seasons, what you pack for your trip to Canada depends on when you travel to the country.
Hiking – If you are travelling to the national parks in summer, pack cotton or quick-dry long-sleeve T-shirts and hiking pants. Weather conditions can change dramatically, so carry a windcheater and sweater for cool evenings.
Warm layers – Spring and autumn evenings are cold and can be rather unpredictable. Carry warm layers. Rainwear is a must, as is a warm scarf.
Bring your warmest jackets if you plan to travel during the winter. Thermals, woollen socks, gloves, winter caps and warm shoes are a must if you visit during the peak winter months.
Discover the allure of Canada in each season! Contact us and allow us to show you a Canada that is much more than the “Great White North”.
“I’ll never forget seeing my first breaching orca whilst I was in Canada – it was a truly memorable moment.”
Holiday in Canada, the land of polar bears, fusion cuisine, indigenous histories, and vibrant cities that rest cheek-to-cheek with abundant natural beauty.
Our Canada multi-centre holidays offer contrasting aspects, from cosmopolitan cities to rugged landscapes.
A famous waterfall, a world-class train ride, cosmopolitan cities, and stunning natural beauty—all these make it to our exciting list of things to do in Canada.
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