Best time to travel to Canada

People of many nationalities have found refuge in Canada, as it is one of the safest countries in the world. It has a high standard of living, a stable economy, delicious maple syrup and incredible nature!

Canada is an exceptional place for the four seasons that deserves to be visited many times. That's why Travel + Leisure tells you when to go here and what to look for.

Skiing and winter recreation

If you want to see big snowdrifts, the best time to do so is in January and March. During this period, you can relax at one of the ski resorts, go skiing and unwind in the midst of nature.

Additionally, Canada can rightly be considered the birthplace and reigning champion of heliskiing thanks to industry pioneer Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH), which operates numerous lodges throughout British Columbia. Bella Coola Heli Sports has a prominent place among the majestic Coastal Mountains, with several lodges and a new yachting experience. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, the period from December to March is best for winter fishing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and winter festivals such as SnowDays in Banff and Lake Louise, Carnival in Quebec City and Festival du Voyageur in Winnipeg.

Canadian hiking

In 2017, Canada completed the world's longest hiking trail. The 15,000-mile-long Trans-Canada Trail captures nature and scenery, most of which is best enjoyed in the summer. July and August are safe months across the country with no snow or heat, and spring (April-June) tends to be the wettest. We also recommend considering a hut-to-hut hike through the Alpine Club of Canada or taking an indigenous-led hike with Indigenous Tourism Alberta, Indigenous Tourism Quebec.

Watching the Northern Lights

The mesmerizing Northern Lights are best seen on winter nights. While it can be seen from time to time across Canada, heading further north increases your chances of seeing it. Because of this, the ideal months to see the northern lights usually range from late fall to late winter.

Seeing wildlife

Canada is home to many animals.

"The excitement of traveling is never knowing what you'll see and experience, but from June to September in northern Canada, the chances of spotting some of Canada's most elusive and magnificent species are pretty high," says Martin Aldrich, manager of Adventure Canada. "During this period, the region is at its most vibrant, alive with species like beluga whales, narwhals, bears and arctic foxes taking advantage of the Arctic's long days and abundant food sources in the summer."

South of the Arctic, many animals are hibernating or migrating, so the chances of seeing them increase. Moreover, the summer months are often the best time to observe. On the west coast, these natural cycles play a crucial role in both the life of the animals and the likelihood of seeing them. Salmon migration, which occurs from late August to late October, deserves special attention as these fish travel from the ocean to rivers to spawn.

Incredible Canadian autumn

Autumn is a time of bountiful harvest and colorful foliage. While the orange hues of autumn can be found all over Canada, there are some of the best places to enjoy them to the fullest.

For a fall trip, Ontario and Quebec are the best options, where the leaves stay for more than two months in September and October.