Moraine Lake is one of the most popular spots to visit in Banff National Park and the Canadian Rockies, and for good reason! It is absolutely stunning. But with its popularity (and the emergence of social media!) brings a ton of crowds, which can really dampen the magic of Moraine Lake. Most travelers think that a solution to this (and a way to save money visiting Banff), is to plan a trip to Moraine Lake in winter.
Because Alberta is colder and there is snow everywhere, it can draw less crowds than the busy summer months.
Living 4 hours away from Moraine Lake, I have visited quite a few times, and completely understand the draw to visiting with less crowds and during a potentially cheaper time of year.
Unfortunately, a lot of things are closed in the winter in Banff National Park. And visiting Moraine Lake in the winter is, for the most part, not possible.
In this article, we’ll go through whether or not you can visit Moraine Lake in the winter, the reasoning why, and other information on Moraine Lake that will help you plan your trip. We will also look briefly at other things you can do in Banff National Park during the winter time.
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Can you go to Moraine Lake in the Winter?
The short answer to the question: “can you go to Moraine Lake in the winter?” is unfortunately, no.
The road to Moraine Lake closes in October, usually the weekend of Canadian Thanksgiving. Moraine Lake road opens back up again usually around May long weekend, or at the beginning of June.
How to Get to Moraine Lake in Winter
The only way to get to Moraine Lake in the winter is to cross country ski up the road. Parks Canada creates ski tracks to make it easier to ski up and down.
However, this will not bring you to the lakeshore. It will only bring you close to Moraine Lake.
Where the ski tracks end is where the dangerous avalanche zone begins. It is not recommended to go past the end of ski tracks.
Also keep in mind that there is limited-no cell phone reception on the Moraine Lake road. Be prepared in case you run into danger with a satellite phone for emergencies.
Can you hike to Moraine Lake in Winter?
Technically, you could hike to Moraine Lake in winter. However, it is not advised to do so. In order to hike up, you would need to rent snowshoes and be sure to stay off the cross-country ski tracks.
As mentioned above, past the end of the ski tracks is a dangerous avalanche zone. It is not recommended to hike past the end of the cross country ski tracks. I believe there is typically a sign warning of the avalanche risk here as well.
It is not worth it to try to get to the lakeshore and put yourself in danger!
Does Moraine Lake Freeze?
Yes, Moraine Lake does freeze in the winter season! If you visit when the road first opens near the end of May/early June, you will most likely still see part of the lake frozen with ice and it will not be the famous blue colour just yet.
Is Moraine Lake open in December?
No, Moraine Lake is not open in December. By December, the risk of avalanche has begun and you should not journey to the lakeshore.
What is the Best Time to go to Moraine Lake?
The best time to go to Moraine Lake is in the summer. Yes, it is so busy!! But it is so worth it to brave the crowds in order to see the stunning, electric blue water against the 10 peaks of Moraine Lake.
The beautiful lake gets bluer and bluer as summer progresses, meaning by late August the lake will be amazing! (Although it is incredible no matter when you go).
Another amazing time to visit Moraine Lake is in the fall, and if you can time it properly, after the first snow dusting. If you visit Moraine Lake during this time, the lake will not have frozen yet, meaning it is electric blue with the trees and mountain tops dusted in snow. It is absolutely breath-taking!
Most travelers believe that crowds will die down in the fall season, however during the larch season, the lake is busier than ever. There isn’t really a time to visit Moraine Lake without crowds, unless you visit before the Moraine Lake road opens to shuttles and buses, or right after it closes (however it is an incredibly small window of time).
Find out our Best Moraine Lake Tips here!
Visit Moraine Lake Before the Road Opens to Cars
There is a short window of time to visit Moraine Lake after the risk of avalanche, but before the road opens to buses and tours, in the Spring. Parks Canada will plow the road, if there is any snow on it, and you can either hike or ride your bike up the Moraine Lake road to try to avoid crowds.
Typically, the best time to do this is the weekend before the road opens, as the road should be cleared and ready by then for driving, which will make it easier to hike or bike.
The road up to the lake is basically all uphill, so having an e-bike will make the journey waay nicer!
You can also try to visit right after the road closes, as long as it is safe to do so depending on the amount of snowfall!
Banff to Moraine Lake: The Moraine Lake Shuttle + Getting to Moraine Lake
Moraine Lake is located about an hour from Downtown Banff, but is still located in Banff National Park.
In 2024, you cannot drive yourself to Moraine Lake. The Moraine Lake road is closed to personal vehicles, and only tour buses, shuttles, and commercial vehicles are allowed up the road. The beginning of the road is monitored by Parks Canada employees to stop personal vehicles from driving up.
You can only visit Moraine Lake by vehicle (the methods below) when the road is open, typically from late May/early June, to Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend in October.
Moraine Lake Tours
If you choose to take a tour to Moraine Lake, most tours will pick you up from Downtown Banff, however be sure to check the starting point of your particular tour.
- Sunrise at Moraine Lake, then to Lake Louise Tour
- Half Day Tour to Moraine Lake and Lake Louise
- Open Top Shuttle to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
Parks Canada Shuttle
Taking the Parks Canada Shuttle to Moraine Lake will require you to park at the Park and Ride lot at the Lake Louise Ski Resort.
Or, if you are staying at the Lake Louise Campground, there is a shuttle that will connect you from the campground to the park and ride lot. This option is only for campers, as there is nowhere for non-campers to park at the Lake Louise Campground.
If you are coming from Downtown Banff and want to use the Parks Canada Shuttle, you can take ROAM Transit to the Lake Louise Village, and the Parks Canada Connector Shuttle will take you to the Park and Ride, where you will get on the Lake Shuttle.
This year, the Parks Canada Shuttle opens for reservation bookings on April 18, 2024 for Summer 2024.
Commercial Shuttles
There are some businesses who provide a shuttle service to Moraine Lake, such as Fairview Limos or Mountain Park Transportation. They pick you up from places in Lake Louise Village, meaning you’ll have to get yourself to that location for your shuttle!
ROAM Transit
The public transportation system of Banff National Park, ROAM Transit, runs a bus service to Moraine Lake during the fall hiking season (usually mid/late September – October). This service does fill up so be sure to book in advance.
The Moraine Lake bus with ROAM transit does not run at any other point of the year, however buses do run to the Lake Louise lakeshore year-round.
Visiting Banff National Park in Winter
Although Moraine Lake is closed in the winter, there are still a lot of amazing spots to visit in Banff during the winter season!
- Lake Louise is open year-round! A beautiful spot to visit in the winter. You can ice skate on Lake Louise, enjoy the ice magic festival, take a sleigh ride, or have lunch inside the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
- Go wild ice skating on one of Banff’s many lakes
- Complete one of the many winter hikes Banff has to offer
- Ride the Banff Gondola in winter for amazing views
- Visit Peyto Lake in the winter, or drive the Icefields Parkway in winter
- Go skiing, snowboarding, or snow-tubing!
Or continue on to experience winter in one of the other national parks of the Canadian Rockies – Jasper National Park!
Moraine Lake in Winter Summary
Although it would be absolutely breath-taking to visit Moraine Lake without the summer crowds during the winter season, visiting during the winter months brings a lot of challenges and limitations! The closure of the road to Moraine Lake in October, along with the dangers of the avalanche zone, makes visiting Moraine Lake in winter not possible.
You are able to get close to Moraine Lake in winter by either cross-country skiing or snowshoeing up Moraine Lake road, you should not go past the end of the ski tracks into avalanche territory (meaning you should not go all the way to the lakeshore).
Although Moraine Lake is closed in winter, there are still so many other things to do in Banff National Park during wintertime! Lake Louise is open year-round and is still worth visiting during winter, or go wild ice skating on Banff’s lakes, or head out on one of the many ski hills!
Ultimately, the best time to visit Moraine Lake remains in the summer, in order to see the electric blue water the lake is known for! Although you will be battling the crowds at the lake, so prepare yourself for that! Visiting during the fall is also an amazing time to visit (but still busy).
Banff National Park is a year-round destination, but if Moraine Lake is at the top of your Banff bucket list, make sure to plan to visit when the road is open and accessible, and not during the winter months!
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Hey! I’m Kat. Based in Alberta, Canada I love to travel to the Rockies and explore new places around the world. Follow along on my adventures and find inspiration and tips for your own travels.
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