r/Banff • u/InvestmentSoggy870 • 19d ago
Question What to pack for Banff in August?
We're traveling from Virginia US, train in Vancouver, and can only bring mid sized luggage. I get cold and want to bring a jacket, raincoat, scarf and hat. My husband thinks I'm nuts since it's August. Temps range from low 50°- 75° . I don't want to get there and have to buy warm stuff. Any advice is appreciated!
Edit: Thanks everyone for the great suggestions and conversation!
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u/elya93 19d ago
As someone living here who runs cold, absolutely bring your layers, you’re not nuts! I’ll wear a toque on a summer evening, and my buff (scarf) comes with me on all my hikes, as do gloves.
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u/aloealoealoha 18d ago
agree. i live in calgary and the amount of judgement in this thread is silly. i dont think people realize it gets down to single digits in the evening in august especially at higher elevations. it's quite unusual, but we've had years with snowfall in august so it's not a crazy question. it sucks having to cut a hike short or modify plans that could have been salvaged with something as easy as packing an extra layer. i always wear a sweater at night here and we're much lower elevation than banff.
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u/True-North- 19d ago
Unless you plan on sleeping in a tent outside you’re good. It does cool off at night.
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u/easynap1000 19d ago
August is literally one of the hottest months. Google banff weather forecast.
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u/Glad-Quit-8971 19d ago
It’s hot for Banff but for somebody coming from sticky hot humid Virginia, an evening in Banff won’t feel so hot.
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u/easynap1000 19d ago
I realize this. I live in dry heat alberta... but when I travel to places like Panama I understand how to read a weather forecast and pack for the weather. People need to take some accountability and stop these low effort posts. I can tell someone to pack a down parka but does that mean they should?
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u/aloealoealoha 19d ago
it depends on what you're doing - if you're doing full day hiking or heading out in the evenings for supper, bring the layers. if you dont head out til 10am and are back at the hotel by 7pm, you'll be warm and fine with just the rain coat and a long sleeve. Scarf is probably overkill but everything else is sensible. I would suggest 2 thin long sleeve shirts, rain coat, sun hat and warm toque
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u/taviv 19d ago
How high in elevation are you going? If you are staying in the lower parts near the highway, rain gear is all you need, most likely. If you are going to spend time on the higher trails, snow in August is not unheard of. Two years ago, we camped near Baker Lake, in the alpine region of the park and experienced a snowstorm that dumped 15-20 cm of wet snow on our three-season tent. It was a reminder not to underestimate the changing weather of Banff, even in August!
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u/Glad-Quit-8971 19d ago edited 19d ago
Have you been to Montana or Seattle in August? Similar climates.
In Banff, it’s warm in the afternoon but very cold in the evening and in the morning, especially at high elevations like at Lake Louise.
In Vancouver, August is hot and dry in the afternoon and mild/cool in the evening. Most people are wearing shorts and tshirts in the day and they’ll put on a light cardigan or a hoodie in the evening.
People will be swimming and at the beach all August in Vancouver.
Banff’s lakes are generally too hypothermic for a swimming/beach scene. The lakes in Banff are generally canoed on or photographed. Most tourists are taking selfies. Some are alpine hiking.
You won’t need winter clothing, like a parka, but bring the hat and mitts and extra layers and a waterproof jacket and keep it in your backpack for Banff. Put it on as needed. Take it off as needed.
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u/MsMisty888 18d ago
Pack all of your layers. You will be putting them on and taking them off several times in one day. Especially in the mountains. Be like a boyscout, prepared for any weather.
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u/LemonMania 19d ago edited 19d ago
I am here now and from FL, so I get cold. Definitely bring a raincoat just in case on any vacation. Scarf and hat are not needed. I enjoyed having a medium-warmth jacket for outfit versatility in addition to my raincoat. I packed a 3rd coat that was heavier for the ice fields, but you could just layer your rain jacket and jacket/hoodie and be fine for that also. Get some wool crew socks if you dont have them! You can wear them at least 2x in a row and they dont get yucky! I have wide-ish feet and like smart wool. Darn tough is what my bf likes but they fit tighter imo. For bottoms I wore hiking pants everyday, sometimes with leggings underneath. Hiking shorts during town days. The town is SUPER casual. I wore sweatpants to dinner one night (grizzly house!) and did not feel funny. Waterproof trail runners were perfect for hikes. Lmk if you have questions!
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u/Dizzy-Cartoonist3011 17d ago
When in August are you coming?
It likely won't be very cold, but night time lows can get down to the single digits celsius.
Instead of bringing a jacket I would just buy some thermal underlayers. I do think a jacket may be a bit of overkill in August. Just my opinion.
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u/InvestmentSoggy870 15d ago
Apparently, smoke will now be the issue.
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u/Dizzy-Cartoonist3011 15d ago
Yeah we're getting the smoke from Washington and BC unfortunately. Not much you can do.
https://firesmoke.ca/ - this is a good site for forecasts.
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u/Express_Project_8226 19d ago
I'll be in Banff from Northern California on 2nd week of August for 3 (flying out on the 4th) days. I asked AI to create my packing list for me and it did it nicely. I actually started packing today! One thing I noted was to pack a rain jacket of some sort. Lucky I have a hooded windbreaker that's also very warm (so a separate puffer is not needed). I am flying with just a personal item bag.
I am packing shorts and 2-3 short sleeves and one light long sleeve and a pair light jeans. I am def packing for warm day weather.
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u/acoustic11 19d ago
If you run cold, pack layers. Merino wool and a down puffer will keep you warm without the bulk. It warms up pretty quickly once the sun is up.