ICELFIELDS PARKWAY

BOW LAKE

Icefields Parkway Weather

Icefields Parkway weather is best in SUMMER (late June to mid-Sept.), which is definitely high season, especially the school holiday period of July through August. Simply said, the weather is unbeatable. The season is dominated by long, warm—and sometimes hot—days, everything is open, and there’s plenty to do and see. Crowds and difficulty securing campground and lodge reservations are the downsides of summer travel.

Late spring and early fall are excellent times to drive the Icefields Parkway for two reasons: you’ll avoid the crowds, and wildlife viewing opportunities are better. The latter is especially true in SPRING (late Apr. to late June), which is also notable for long days of sunlight (in late June it stays light until after 10 p.m.).

 FALL (mid-Sept. to Nov.) can be delightful, especially September, with lingering warm temperatures and a noticeable decrease in crowds immediately after the long weekend (at the beginning of the month). That said, it can snow at any time of year and by mid-October driving conditions can vary greatly with the onset of snow and ice on the road surface.

The Icefields Parkway remains open year-round, although WINTER brings with it some special considerations. The Icefields Parkway is often closed for short periods for avalanche control; check road conditions in Banff or Lake Louise before setting out. And be sure to fill up with gas; no services are available between November and April.

The Icefields Parkway is covered in snow for most of the winter.

The Icefields Parkway is covered in snow for most of the winter.

Icefields Parkway Current Weather Conditions

To get an idea of the current weather along the Icefields Parkway, check out our Icefields Parkway webcams page. The closest Environment Canada weather station is in the town of Jasper, with current conditions displayed below.