LAKE O'HARA

LAKE O’HARA.

Lake O’Hara Weather

Only the bravest swim in local lakes, and even in mid-summer the water is only a few degrees above freezing.

Only the bravest swim in local lakes, and even in mid-summer the water is only a few degrees above freezing.

Lake O’Hara weather is like other subalpine areas of the Canadian Rockies. The elevation of Lake O’Hara is 2,115 metres (6,940 feet), meaning long winters and short, cool summers.

The bus shuttle begins in SPRING, usually in mid-June, although at this time of year, Lake O’Hara is usually still frozen and smaller lakes at higher elevations remain frozen into early July.

The SUMMER months of July and August are the prime months to visit, with wildflowers at their peak in late July/early August. A “heat wave” may see temperatures reaching 29°C (84°F) – about as hot as it ever gets at the lake. But even on warm summer days, overnight temperatures can drop to 4°C (39°F) or cooler, so plan accordingly if you are camping.

Temperatures during September, the first month of FALL, are distinctly cooler than summer, especially for those camping, when you can expect frost most nights, and even snow. For many visitors, the last two weeks of September, when the forests of larch have turned a brilliant gold colour, is their favourite time to visit the lake. The scheduled bus service ends in early October, by which time larch needles have fallen to the ground and daytime temperatures are often around freezing.

In WINTER, access is restricted to those willing to cross-country ski along an 11-kilometre trail linking the Trans-Canada Highway to Lake O’Hara. Accommodation in winter is at the Alpine Club of Canada hut or between late January and early April at Lake O’Hara Lodge.

Lake O’Hara Webcams

There are currently no webcams at Lake O’Hara. Instead, check out the Yoho National Park webcams to get an idea of local weather conditions.

Current Lake O’Hara Weather

The closest weather station to Lake O’Hara is at Field in the Kicking Horse Valley. See below for current conditions.