When is the best time to visit Canada?

If you are planning to visit Canada, you might be wondering which time of year is the best - particularly when it comes to the weather. As the world's second largest country, Canada's climate can vary quite a lot from region to region, even in the same province or territory. While we tend to picture the snow capped Canadian Rockies when thinking about Canada, in reality the country's weather is seasonal and the temperature can climb up to 30°C in the summer months. In fact, June 2021 saw a historical high of nearly 50°C in parts of British Columbia. 
Of course, the best time to visit Canada really depends on the type of holiday you are planning. If you are craving the great outdoors and would like to make the most of the country's peaks, lakes and valleys, you'll obviously want to avoid the coldest, wettest months, but this probably isn't such an important factor if you are planning a city break, and ideal if you’re looking to ski!

So, when is the best time to visit Canada? We'll dive into this question in this article, with a look at each of the most popular destinations.

The Atlantic Provinces

This part of Eastern Canada comprises the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. While daily temperatures can vary a lot from region to region, the provinces share the same overriding seasonal characteristics of short, humid summers and cold winters. 

While spring is often hailed as the best time of year to visit Canada, be aware that if you're planning a trip to the Atlantic provinces, it usually rains quite a lot in April. This season is generally short here, and tends to be cool. There are positives about visiting at this time of the year though - it is generally quiet and flowers are in full bloom, and if you are able to avoid the rain, it is a good time to enjoy some hiking. The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo also takes place in June. 

Summer in these provinces brings pleasant weather, with highs of around 27°C, with the added bonus of a nice breeze if you are close to the coast. This is a great time to enjoy the beaches of Prince Edward Island and the three national parks of Nova Scotia. This is also the peak festival period, with events such as the Antigonish Highland Games and Pictou Lobster Carnival taking place in July.

By the time autumn rolls around in September, the temperature has dropped to highs of around 21°C, and it can be close to freezing at night. With the mild temperature and autumn foliage on full display, this is another excellent time to enjoy the great outdoors. As for the winter, December is the wettest month of the year, and January and February tend to be the coldest months, with lows of -15 °C. New Brunswick usually sees the most snow, though the other provinces aren't too far behind. This time of the year is great for skiing and snowboarding.

Central Canada

This expansive region is formed of only two provinces - Ontario and Quebec. Here, you can generally expect to experience warm, humid summers and cold, frigid winters. The shoulder season of March to May is a good time to visit for smaller crowds and events such as the Maple Festival in Prince Edward County. Unsurprisingly, the summer months of June to September form the high season. The temperature is relatively mild, with highs of around 24°C, making it a good time to enjoy some outdoor adventures and take advantage of the 14 hours of sunlight per day. The summer months are busy, particularly in tourist hotspots like Toronto, but it's a good time to come to experience festivals and attractions in full swing. If you want to avoid the crowds in the summer, visit in June or September, when you can enjoy pleasant weather and events such as the International Jazz Festival in Toronto.  

Autumn is another great time to visit Central Canada. The weather is cool, with highs of around 13℃, but the famous fall foliage and fewer crowds more than make up for it. While winter is the best time to visit Canada for snow sports, the bitter cold, often reaching below 0°C can make it undesirable for many travellers, and central Canada is no exception. However, the silver lining is cheaper prices and low tourist numbers, so if you are planning to visit in December to February, be sure to bring layers and an itinerary filled with indoor activities such as Casa Loma in Toronto and the Notre-Dame Basilica in Quebec City.

The Prairie Provinces

The Prairie Provinces include Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Home to the country's most productive farmland, the region is predominantly dry and sees warm summers and very cold winters. Spring and autumn are great times to visit this region. The weather is cool, with highs of around 10°C, but the days are relatively dry and prices are cheaper. If you're visiting in spring, you might like to check out the Lilac Festival in Calgary, when the blooming flowers are celebrated with a parade, craft stalls and live music. 

We think the summer is one of the best time to visit the Prairie Provinces. It doesn't get too hot, with highs of 24ºC, and the longer daylight hours provide plenty of opportunity to enjoy the region's national parks, making it the perfect time for a Rocky Mountains tour. There are also a number of festivals that take place in the summer months, including the Calgary Folk Music Festival, the Calgary Fringe and the world-famous Calgary Stampede. One downside of visiting in the summer is the possibility of rain - June and July are the wettest months for the region. If you can bear the cold temperatures, winter could be a good time to take advantage of few crowds and cheap prices. 
 
The West Coast

Canada's west coast is home to the province of British Columbia, a popular destination for those looking to enjoy a pleasant mix of city and outdoor activities. As an expansive province, the climate varies from one end to the other, with some regions experiencing more dramatic weather than others. It is generally warmer in the south, and the areas next to the coast see more rain. 

Spring in British Columbia sees the bitter cold start to subside in favour of longer days and warmer temperatures, although the weather can be rather unpredictable. This is the best time to visit the Rockies in Canada if you plan to ski, with plenty of sunshine and azure skies. By May, the national parks become more accessible, making it a good time to visit before the peak season sets in.  

Summer in the region sees warm days, particularly in the interior, where temperatures can reach 30°C. This is the best time to visit Vancouver, Canada's coolest city, as the weather is milder but still warm at around 22°C, and the months of July and August are the driest, making it a great time to visit the gardens of Vancouver Island or relax in Stanley Park. The end of the summer marks the start of the salmon run, attracting hundreds of bears to the province's rivers, making it a great time for wildlife watching.

Winters in British Columbia can vary quite dramatically by region. In the interior, winters are often bitterly cold with plenty of snow, while the coastal areas enjoy milder temperatures, rarely falling below freezing. Destinations such as Grouse Mountain come alive with people enjoying skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports from December.
 
Northern Canada

This region encompasses Yukon Territory, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. It is characterised by long, chilly winters and short summers. Much of this region is tundra, with permanently frozen ground. Spring arrives in late April and is over by the end of May. This season sees snow begin to melt, although temperatures generally only see highs of 10°C.

Summers are a little bit warmer, with highs of around 25°C, although temperatures of almost 40°C have been recorded in some areas. This is the best time to visit Canada's northern regions, with the snow all melted and valleys, lakes and mountains accessible once again. The days are very long - with some areas seeing up to 24 hours of sunlight in the height of summer. 

Like spring, autumn is a short season in northern Canada. The days become shorter and by mid-October snow often starts to fall. Temperatures can range from -15°C to 10°C. Winter is the worst time to visit for sightseeing and outdoor activities, with freezing temperatures as low as -40°C and short, dark days. There is one caveat, though - the winter months of December to February are the very best time to see the Northern Lights.

So, there we have it - our guide to the best time to visit Canada. Hopefully this has been helpful for your trip planning to this captivating country. Whether you visit in the middle of summer or the depths of winter, the best time to visit Canada really depends on the activities you plan to do - after all, who wants to go hiking in a snowstorm?! It has to be said that the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn provide some of the best weather and value, however, whatever you are planning on doing.