Spring Thaw in the Canadian Rockies - Photographing Banff and Canmore in May

Visiting the Canadian Rockies in late spring can feel like stepping into two seasons at once. Much of this region's charm for me lies in the picturesque glacial lakes, which can stay iced over into the early summer, so I was initially hesitant to visit at this time. In May, snow still lingers on the mountain peaks and higher trails, while lakes begin to thaw, revealing clear blue water beneath. Winters are long here - Canmore had its last snowfall just days before we arrived in early May - but the shift is surprisingly quick. Within a week, chilly mornings near freezing gave way to warm afternoons, and the landscape transformed almost daily. I've come to appreciate this time of transition - unpredictable but full of beauty.

The higher-elevation lakes further north in Banff National Park, like Lake Louise and Peyto Lake, were still thawing, but by mid-May the last ice had disappeared from Two Jack Lake.

Spring Awakening at Two Jack Lake

I took the first photograph about an hour before sunset. The lake was now fully clear of ice, revealing crystal clear water by the shore where I was standing. The snow on Mount Rundle created striking contrast, accentuating the mountain's iconic ridges. Perfect conditions like this at Two Jack Lake are rare. For a brief while, the water remained perfectly still, creating a mirror-like reflection of this beautiful spring scene.

Take a piece of the Rockies home - view prints here

The exact timing of the meltdown and arrival of warmth can vary from year to year, but by the middle of May it was a completely different atmosphere in the Rockies. Trees were just starting to bud, and much of the vegetation hadn't yet turned green, but the scenery was already gorgeous. Our timing was just right. I would have loved to stay another week or two to witness the full arrival of summer, but this was the next best thing!

Evening Glow by the Bow River

Castle Mountain is another favourite landmark of mine, particularly this spot along the shore of the Bow River. I've always been drawn to this mountain's unique structure, which is unlike any other in the Canadian Rockies. I set up on the shore of the Bow River in Banff National Park on a cloudy afternoon in May, unsure if I’d catch any sunlight. Soon enough, the clouds parted just enough for the sun to illuminate the evergreen trees and cast a spectacular pink glow across the sky behind the mountain. Moments like these keep me returning to the Rockies - witnessing fleeting light and colour that no photograph can fully capture.

Spring Morning at the Three Sisters

The Three Sisters are an iconic Canmore landmark and one of my favourite places to visit. This particular spot, right at the edge of town, has grown more popular over the years, but early mornings still offer a good chance of solitude. With the peaks still capped in snow and the forests gradually awakening from winter, early spring at the Three Sisters feels beautifully serene.

With summer drawing to a close, I look forward to seeing snow back on the mountain peaks. Scenes like the one below from Two Jack Lake are among my favourite - lakes free of ice, warm days and cool evenings, and light snow adding texture to the mountain peaks. I captured this shot not long after the first, as the sun dipped below the horizon and painted the clouds behind Mount Rundle in a gorgeous pink hue. This will always be a special place for me, one of the first I visited in Banff and now experienced across all four seasons.

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