Late December 2025 — In Banff, Alberta, temperatures have plunged to −12°C (feels like about −16°C to −18°C) with scattered afternoon flurries, according to The Weather Network and local observations, marking an early winter shift that’s leaving light snow on roads, trails and high passes.
511 Alberta reports sections of the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) and the Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93N) are partially snow- or ice-covered; drivers should be alert for slippery surfaces and black ice. Parks Canada notes that snow tires or chains are required by law on some mountain routes — for example, the Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93N) — between November 1 and March 31, and that requirements on other routes can begin as early as October 1. Parks Canada also urges drivers to slow down and leave extra stopping distance in winter conditions.
Parks Canada’s trail conditions bulletin warns that higher-elevation routes are snow-bound and can be icy. The agency recommends hikers carry trekking poles and wear ice cleats when venturing above the townsite.
According to Rocky Mountain Outlook, Banff Sunshine Village is targeting a November 8 season launch while Lake Louise Ski Resort aimed for a November 5 opening, with operators using the current cold snap to run snowmaking ahead of schedule.
Forecasters say the light but persistent flurries — dropping about 0.1 to 0.3 cm of snow per hour — are expected to continue through the week. Seasonal outlooks point to a La Niña-influenced winter for 2025/26, which could bring more cold snaps and increased snowfall for Banff and the Bow Valley.
