The best time to visit Canada

January is an undoubtedly cold time of year in Canada, with temperatures reaching negative daily. However, visiting during this time can be a good chance to avoid the overwhelming busy times of the festive season and school holidays. The Rossland Winter Carnival in the Kootenay Rockies can be a great experience with bobsled races, performances and an ice palace beer garden.

Winter in Canada offers an array of sporting and cultural events both indoors and out. Banff, Whistler and Jasper offer phenomenal ski resorts or perhaps be a spectator of an ice hockey match, arguably the country’s favourite sport. This is a lovely time to visit Nova Scotia as there are milder temperatures. Quebec Winter Festival also takes place in February; lasting 14 nights, it’s notable for its ice and snow sculptures.

While March can be a good off-peak time to visit, it is worth being prepared for drastic weather changes. However, this also means lower costs and fewer crowds. The mountains are still open for the ski season and cities are ideal as there are fewer tourists. Coastal British Columbia, like the Great Bear Rainforest, is milder; embark on a cruise and spend time in search of the spirit bear. Newfoundland and Labrador are great at this time of year for iceberg viewing along Iceberg Alley. This is a fabulous time for heading further north to Churchill.

April marks the start of spring across Canada, a time to avoid crowds and discover all that the country has to offer with comfortable temperatures on average. Coastal areas will usually be milder than inland areas. Soak in the hot springs at Hot Springs Cove in Clayoquot Sound or venture to New Brunswick or Newfoundland to see vast icebergs on eastern Canada’s shores.

May is a favourable time to visit Canada, with temperatures rising, avoiding school holidays and off-peak rates. The southern cities are mild, but the coastal areas are wet and further north it’s cold. The days are getting longer, meaning you’ll have more time to explore. This is the shoulder season for travel. If you’re heading further north, May is a great time to see narwhals around the Arctic Bay.

The Tulip Festival in Ottawa takes place this month to celebrate the return of spring; more than 300,000 tulips bloom along the Rideau Canal. Jasper National Park is great for wildflowers, waterfalls and wildlife, particularly birding. Spend time in New Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy, kayaking in the rocky outcrops, or white water raft down British Columbia’s Kicking Horse River, which has 7.5 miles of rapids.

For many travellers, June is the ideal time to visit Canada. Just before peak season, the weather is favourable and most of the trails and seasonal activities will have opened. June is the start of summer, with temperatures varying from warm to hot across the country. Inland and eastern parts are the warmest and most humid, but this is still the shoulder season for Canada.

As Canada moves into summer, there are exciting festivals and events for you to enjoy. Montreal Jazz Festival showcases 3,000 artists from more than 30 countries and Vancouver is home to a Dragon Boat Festival, the biggest festival of its kind outside of Hong Kong.

Summer in Canada calls for longer days to explore the natural beauty that awaits outdoors whether it’s hiking, fishing or camping. Temperatures average around 25°C, making cities quite warm but head into the wilderness or by the coast to enjoy the open air. The Rocky Mountains are wonderful in summer, but British Columbia is fabulous for a remote natural experience. Nova Scotia has mild temperatures, perfect for driving the Cabot Trail, kayaking in the Bay of Fundy, visiting Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse and hiking in the Cape Breton highlands.

With summer comes different events and festivals to enjoy. The 1st July is Canada day, with parades, fireworks and Canadian delicacies. Vancouver also hosts its Celebration of Light this month with music, lights and a firework competition.

Summer is considered the peak season with warm temperatures and all attractions open. August is slightly cooler and drier than in July but it’s still warm. It is worth noting this time of year can be quite busy as both international domestic travellers are on holiday this month; make sure to book well in advance. August also marks the start of the early salmon run.

Summer brings a plethora of different festivals to Canada. Folkorama in Winnipeg is a festival celebrating its multiculturalism with mouth-watering cuisines and interesting displays. Kamloopa Powwow in British Columbia celebrates Secwepemc culture with music, dance, arts and crafts, as well as other traditional celebrations.

As autumn rolls in, temperatures milder. September is a great time to avoid massive crowds and experience all that the country has to offer in comfortable weather. Warmer in the southern regions, wettest on the coast and colder in the north. Autumn colours start to move through the country, with maple trees being their most colourful in September. Further north, beluga whales can be seen in the Hudson Bay and the Northwest passage in shallow bays.

Temperatures continue to drop in October, with cloudy days and rain possible. The autumn foliage is in full bloom across the country. This can also be a good time to take advantage of off-peak rates, however, it’s worth bearing in mind that the weather can vary and some coastal towns will have started to close for the season.

November is a good time of year to visit the cities of Canada. It’s too late to view the foliage and a bit too early to go skiing yet. Make sure to wrap up for sightseeing in Montreal or Quebec. Weather conditions across Canada will vary a lot this month. Visit the Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival for bird watching, eco-tours and tasty salmon feasts.

The build-up to the festive season is in full swing across the country. Snow may have already started, making the perfect scene for ice skating and markets. Vancouver has relatively mild conditions but Toronto hosts a great winter market; enjoy warming food and drink, shop local crafts and ice skate in the city centre.