With thriving Indigenous experiences, exhilarating outdoor adventures, bustling urban centers, and a prime location (one of only two countries bordered by three different oceans), Canada is an exceptional four-season destination worth visiting more than once.
“At Pan Pacific Whistler, we are proud to have two properties in the heart of the village of Whistler, nestled between mountains, which is the perfect location to explore the area year-round,” said Julie Lanteigne, general manager of Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside and Village Center. From the hotel, guests can take a cable car to the alpine terrain of Whistler Blackcomb, known for skiing and other winter sports, as well as hiking and mountain biking in the summer. In the spring and fall, our team loves to hear from guests about their adventures in the lower elevations, including visits to glacial lakes, waterfalls, and golf courses, before returning to the hotel to relax in the heated outdoor pool or explore the many incredible culinary options in the village on our doorstep.”
Depending on the type of adventure you are seeking, the seasons can often be described like this:
Peak season: June to mid-September is the best time to hike, bike, watch wildlife and explore the lake.
Shoulder season: April to May and mid-September to October are the best seasons for spring flowers and fall colors, respectively.
Off-season: November to March is the best season for skiing and winter adventures.
The best time to go skiing and winter activities in Canada
While Canada’s “off-season” is in the winter, it’s the opposite if you’re chasing knee-deep powder in the Alberta Rockies, British Columbia, or Quebec. “Here, January and March are the best times for snow and sun on the Powder Road in British Columbia,” said Matt Mosteller, senior vice president of Canadian Rockies Resorts. “Whether in a bowl at Fernie Alpine Resort, on a rock slide at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, or the highest vertical terrain in North America, these are my favorite months to find fresh powder.”
In addition to traditional ski resorts, Canada has reason to be considered the birthplace and reigning champion of heli-skiing, thanks to industry pioneer Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH), which operates several lodges in British Columbia. On the coast, the award-winning Bella Kula Heli-sports has a prominent place in the majestic Coastal mountains, with several lodges and a new yacht-based heli-skiing experience. In addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding, December through March is the best season for ice fishing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and winter festivals such as Banff and Lake Louise Snow days, Quebec City’s Mardi Gras, and Winnipeg’s Sailing Festival.
The best time to go hiking in Canada
2017 Canada completed the world’s most extended network of recreational multi-use trails. The 15,000-mile Trans-Canada Trail joins an impressive portfolio of coast-to-coast trails, most of which are best enjoyed in the summer. Nationwide, July and August are safe because there is no snow and temperatures are higher, while spring (April to June) tends to be the time with the most bugs and the wettest. Consider a hut-to-hut hike through the Alpine Club of Canada or an Aboriginal hike with the Alberta Aboriginal Tourism Board, the Quebec Aboriginal Tourism Board, or any other destination Natives around the country.
The best time to visit Canada to see the Northern Lights
The fascinating Northern Lights, the Aurora Borealis, are best observed on winter nights. While they can occasionally be seen across Canada, heading north will increase your chances of catching a glimpse of them. In the far north, the fascinating phenomenon of the midnight sun adds color to summer. At the same time, its counterpart, the polar night, dominates winter, as the sun barely rises above the horizon.
Because of this, the ideal months to see the Northern Lights are from late fall to late winter. Their otherworldly luminous dance has significant Indigenous significance, and to learn about this and have a better chance of discovering them, one can connect with the Yukon. Who What Where Tours Companies such as Inuit Expeditions in northern Quebec or Churchill in Manitoba (the Polar Bear viewing capital of the world) book an aboriginal-led trip to the Northern Lights. “There’s more activity in the north and more darkness,” said David Daly of Wapsk Expeditions. “As long as you have clear skies and darkness, we in Churchill can see the aurora 300 nights a year.” We’ll see some incredible auroras from mid-August to mid-September before it gets dark again.”
The best time to see wildlife in Canada
Canada’s coastline is buffeted by the gentle waves of three different oceans. The terrain also varies from province to province and is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Whether in the Pacific, Arctic, or Atlantic, cetaceans, bears, and Marine life are unique in each environment, especially during the spring thaw in the Arctic Ocean.
“The thrill of adventure is never knowing what you’ll find, but September in northern Canada offers fantastic opportunities to discover some of Canada’s most elusive and wondrous species,” said Martin Aldridge, Manager of critical partnerships and strategic planning at Adventure Canada. “During this period, the region is at its most active, with species such as beluga whales, narwhals, bears, and Arctic foxes becoming active, all taking advantage of the long Arctic summer days and abundant food sources.”
He added: “When I think about my experiences with Arctic wildlife, an exciting summer polar bear immediately comes to mind. A mother and calf were spotted on the sea ice near the bow. They were cautious but curious, and we all watched in awe as they navigated the ice stream, jumping between blocks of ice to approach us. They walked so close that I could see their hot breath as they exhaled while perched on the cold sea ice. Then, after a while, they dived gracefully into the water and swam away. The wonders of wildlife add so much to the Canadian travel experience, from the majestic polar bear to the elusive narwhal; it’s what we know, and watching wildlife responsibly on a Canadian adventure is truly unforgettable.”
South of the Arctic, a large portion of Canada’s wildlife relies on hibernation and migration to survive, making their appearance throughout the year more predictable, with summer often the best time to see them. On the West Coast, these natural cycles play a vital role in both the lives of the animals and the possibility of observing them. The migration of salmon takes place between late August and late October. It is particularly notable as the fish travel from the ocean to rivers to spawn.
The event attracts black and grizzly bears, who seize the opportunity to feast on the salmon before going into winter hibernation. The Kermode bear (or spirit bear), found only in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest, is the rarest globally and is significant to coastal indigenous communities. While many people believe that polar bears are the only white bears in the world, Kermode is also a shade of white but is more closely related to black bears. To maximize your chances of spotting Kermode bears, consider booking a stay at Spirit Bear Lodge or exploring with Maple Leaf Adventures.
The best time to visit Canada for leaf peeping
Many Canadians consider autumn a favorite season. It celebrates the harvest, seasonal change, and the vibrant foliage reflected in lakes and rivers. While amber autumn can be found all over Canada, there are some top places to enjoy it.
In the north, the mountains and the steppes, autumn is fast, sometimes lasting only three weeks. When the Rocky Mountains trees turn a beautiful shade of gold, predicting their time and planning a trip around this transformation can be difficult.
For more predictable fall colors, Ontario and Quebec are the best places to look. Foliage lasts for more than two months in September and October. Consider taking Via Rail from Quebec City to Montreal, which passes through trees dotted with golden hues.
