0 of 88 packed
Documents & money 0/12
Tech 0/6
Layers for any season 0/11
Winter, November to April 0/11
Health, bugs & sun 0/11
Hiking, parks & bear country 0/13
Road-trip kit 0/8
Traveling with kids 0/7
Before you leave home 0/9
Clear every tick on this list?
What to add, month by month
The basics above work all year. This is what to add for the month you travel. Typical January highs run from 45°F (7°C) in Vancouver to 18°F (-8°C) in Quebec City and -7°F (-22°C) in Yellowknife, and cold snaps run 20°F (11°C) or more below the averages.
| Months | Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic | BC coast | Rockies and Prairies | The North |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December to February | Full winter kit: parka, insulated boots, toque, mittens, thermals, ice cleats | Rain jacket, warm fleece, waterproof shoes; full winter kit for Whistler | Full winter kit; Winnipeg and the Prairies are colder than the mountain towns | Expedition-weight parka and boots rated to -40; many aurora tours rent or include them |
| March and April | Winter coat and waterproof boots for slush; layers for warm afternoons | Rain gear and a light warm jacket | Ski layers; still full winter in the mountains | Full winter kit; March is still deep winter |
| May and June | Light jacket, rain jacket, long sleeves, head net and repellent for blackflies | Light layers and a rain jacket | Warm layers, rain jacket; high trails stay snowy into July | Layers, a head net and strong repellent; nearly round-the-clock light, so pack an eye mask |
| July and August | Summer clothes for humid heat, a light layer for air conditioning and lake evenings | Summer clothes and a fleece for evenings | Shorts and T-shirts plus a warm layer; mountain nights are cool | Layers, rain jacket, repellent and a head net |
| September and October | Sweaters, a warm jacket and a rain jacket; frost on fall-color mornings | Rain gear returns in October | Warm jacket, hat and gloves; snow can fall late in September | Winter coat, hat and gloves; first snow in October |
| November | Winter coat, boots and gloves; gray and wet with first snow | Full rain gear; storm-watching weather in Tofino | Winter kit for early-season skiing | Full winter kit |
Watch out
You cannot fly with bear spray in carry-on or checked bags on US or Canadian airlines. If you fly in, buy it at an outfitter or hardware store in the Rockies or BC, and leave it behind before your flight home. Canada also treats pepper spray made for use on people as a prohibited weapon, so only cans labeled for animals are legal. See Safety.
What to leave at home
- Cannabis in any form. It's legal in Canada and in many states, and it is still illegal to carry across the border in either direction. That includes edibles, vape cartridges, oils, CBD products and medical cannabis with a US prescription. See entry rules.
- Pepper spray, mace and stun guns. Sprays meant for use on people are prohibited weapons in Canada. Check the glovebox before you drive north.
- Any firearm you haven't declared and arranged in advance. Most handguns can't come in at all, and undeclared firearms are seized. See entry rules.
- Firewood. Buy it where you camp, to stop invasive insects spreading. See national parks.
- Fresh meat, eggs, dairy and plants you mean to replant. Declare all food at the border; rules on meat, poultry and eggs can change quickly during outbreaks such as bird flu.
- A radar detector. They're illegal in most provinces, including Ontario and Quebec, and police can seize them. See driving.
- A plug adapter. Canada uses the same outlets and 120-volt power as the US.
- Large amounts of cash, unless you declare it. You must report C$10,000 (about $7,140) or more in total when you enter.
Not sure what the weather will be? Check our month-by-month guide, and for deep cold see winter in Canada and northern lights.