The best time to travel to each of Canada’s provinces and territories

Introduction

It can be hard figuring out how to make the most of your working holiday in a country as vast as Canada. If you only have one chance to experience each province, you’ll want to pick the best time to travel. Summer is the optimal time if you want guaranteed warm weather, and shoulder seasons are often recommended for lower crowds and cheaper prices.

In this guide, we’re diving deeper into the different seasons and reasons that you’ll want to consider when planning your trip to each province and territory (in alphabetical order).

Alberta

If you’re specifically interested in Calgary and cowboys, you won’t want to miss the Calgary Stampede in July. However, if you’re looking for a tranquil escape into the Rocky mountains, you have more choice of when to travel.

Many of the main attractions in the Rockies, such as the road to Moraine Lake or the Maligne Lake cruises, only open in the warm months (usually late May or early June to mid-October). To avoid the summer crowds and the increasing risk of wildfires, we recommend waiting until fall to visit (late September to October).

If you can make it to Alberta more than once during your time in Canada, we recommend a second visit during the winter months. This will give you the opportunity to try skiing and other unique winter activities, such as the Maligne Canyon ice walk (open December–March) or the Lake Abraham ice bubbles (usually visible from mid-January into February).