Touring - Biking in Canadian Rockies

I'm going with a group of eight on a VBT Bike Tour of the Canadian Rockies the first week of September. Has anyone else done this tour at this time of year. Any advice would be appreciated, especially advice on what to wear and what type of weather to expect.

I've always toured in July and August, but the first week in September should be fine. Maybe a touch cooler and fewer tourists. The really nice thing is that it is significantly dryer. Trust me - I've been drenched and cold on the Icefields Parkway. Here's the Environment Canada weather website for Alberta:

http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climate_normals/index_e.html

The two most important pieces of clothing are a polar-fleece earband and ski glove liners. You can have a great jacket, but if your head and hands are cold you are miserable.

I live an hour from Banff and all I can say for September is be ready!

It could be hot and sunny, cold and rainy - and there could be a snowstorm. I was watching the a women's world cup mtn bike race in Canmore on July 4th one year. It was warm and sunny on my condo deck on the other side of the valley from the race, it was a bit overcast in the Canmore Nordic Centre parking lot and by the time we hiked onto the course it was snowing. All bets are off in the mtns around here.

If you check the weather the week before you arrive that should give you an idea, but I would keep checking right up until the morning you fly out and have cold weather gear ready.

Nights here are quite cool even in the summer so if you guys are camping out have something warm to wear for the mornings and evenings. On the plus side it is beautiful in the mtns and in Sept you'll see them as the snows start to fall and it is way less busy than in the summer. As long as the weather holds I really like riding in the mtns in the spring and fall.

Where are you guys going in the Rockies? Have an awesome time!

We are riding in the Banff and Lake Louise Area and staying in hotels and cabins.

What a great time you will have! I saw snow there in early september. Second the recommendation for gloves and ear covering.

I hope you have a great our. I am planning on doing a bunch of rides on the weekends in the Rockies in September so I'll keep my fingers crossed for the weather! If you need any help just drop me a line, but I imagine your tour company has everything sorted out for you.

I live a couple hours away from the Rockies, and have done most of my life.

As someone else mentioned, be prepared for anything. Early September can be lovely ... but you are riding in the mountains and weather systems move through quickly and things can change very quickly. One minute it might be quite warm and sunny ... the next it might be snowing.

Bring tights, rain jacket, full-fingered glove, headband and possibly a balaclava, just in case.

Traffic will be very heavy Labour Day weekend, especially on Sept 3rd and 4th. I cycle toured this area (Golden-Radium-Lake Louise-Jasper Rtn) last September and had a really wide range of weather from warm sunny, almost-summer-like days around Lake Louise to heavy snow on Sunwapta Pass about September 10th - 12th. Overall the weather was not great, cloudy with some drizzle or rain most days. Just as bad were the icy road conditions I encountered on Bow Pass and Sunwapta Pass on the southerly leg of my trip (about Sept 14th-16th).

If you're just doing day rides, you can pick low-elevation rides on the poor weather days and you will have several options to chose from in Lake Louise area.

Have Fun.

I will be leaving in three days to bike out to the Rockies from Saskatoon. I will be there for about a week in the later part of August and will be taking emergency winter gear as well. Bad weather can move in fast in the Rockies. I am a little leary about using my hammock in the mountains but I do have a down winter bag I am taking with me which should keep me warm to conditions below freezing, even in the hammock.

It sounds like there are going to be quite a few tourers around there this time of year. I look forward to seeing other bike tourers on the road. There aren't many on the roads in Saskatchewan.

Yes, but the ones that *are* there, you can see for miles. ;)