Canada in May

Victoria Day weekend opens the season; Rockies lakes still frozen at altitude.

• Pacific coast · Vancouver, Victoria, Tofino, Whistler (ski)best weather

  Mild and rainy October–April, with snow only in the mountains; dry, sunny summers.

• Rockies · Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, Yohofine

  Lakes thaw in June; Moraine Lake road and many trails open about June–October; wildfire smoke in some summers; ski season December–April.

• Prairies · Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatoonfine

  Very cold winters (−30 °C spells), warm sunny summers; Calgary Stampede in July.

• Ontario and Great Lakes · Toronto, Ottawa, Niagara Falls, Algonquinbest weather

  Humid summers, snowy winters; late September–October foliage in Algonquin.

• Québec · Montréal, Québec City, Laurentians, Charlevoixfine

  Deep snow and −20 °C in winter (Québec Winter Carnival in February); festival summers.

• Atlantic Canada · Halifax, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton, Newfoundlandfine

  Cool, foggy springs; July–September is the season; icebergs off Newfoundland May–June; post-tropical storms in autumn.

• The North · Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Dawson City, Iqaluitfine

  Midnight sun in June–July; northern lights and −30 °C from about November to March.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Victoria Day (Journée nationale des patriotes in Québec)

  Monday before 25 May

  Unofficial start of summer; campsites full.

Crowds · Canada

Medium

Prices · Canada

Medium

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

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Rated best or good this month

• Pacific coast

  Best weather of the year (Vancouver, Victoria, Tofino, Whistler (ski))

• Ontario and Great Lakes

  Best weather of the year (Toronto, Ottawa, Niagara Falls, Algonquin)

• Toronto

  Mild; patios open.