Ice Walking

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Ice Walking

About Ice Walking

Take in winter sunshine shimmering on a frozen creek, towering waterfalls held still by the cold, creating enchanting and glistening ice formations, and captivating caves and tunnels carved out of ice and preserved during the winter months in the Canadian Rockies. An ice walk is a truly unique and truly Canadian twist on a nature walk, and tours are available throughout the mountainscapes of Alberta.

Picturesque Beauty

Walk along a frozen river at the base of a deep canyon and marvel at the breathtaking atmosphere of an amazing winter wonderland. Snow and ice-covered landscapes are yours to explore, and you will discover a unique world of blue pillars, sparkling walls, and glowing pools of water. Try a tour at night to experience the same area in an entirely new way, with your headlamp illuminating the magical sights around you.

Safety First

Your tour guide will provide not only all necessary safety equipment, but also advise you on successfully and safely navigating the terrain, and use their expert knowledge to judge the environment and make decisions about your route in the moment in order to ensure risk is minimized on your adventure, so you can relax and have an awesome time.

Learn As You Go

On your tour, you will be treated to the expert knowledge of your guide. Informative and interesting interpretive tours will help you learn about Karst topography, history of the area, fossils, and pictographs. Your tour guide will enhance an already enchanting experience with personalized conversation and fascinating facts.

Tours with Ice Walking

Upscale Jasper Experience

3 days

FROM $1225

Take your next winter adventure to new heights with a luxurious mountain retreat! Experience the sparkling ice of Maligne Canyon to the snowy peaks of the Rockies, with the comforts of the Fairmont.

Winter In The Alberta Rockies

8 Days

FROM $1469

Winter in the Canadian Rockies is the perfect time to experience your favourite cold weather activities. This unforgettable 8 day, 7 night package is accessible daily.

Build Your Own Tour

Let’s make a trip that’s uniquely yours! You decide how long, which types of areas to explore, number of inclusions, everything. Start planning now and make your dream trip a reality.

Staff Picks

Maligne Canyon

Explore the absolute beauty of Jasper's deepest accessible canyon, filled with natural ice sculptures. You'll first circle the canyon from above on the boardwalk, and then head down and take it all in from a completely different perspective!

Johnston Canyon

A highlight of this Banff tour is the "Cathedral of Ice", where you can take a break and watch ice climbers scale the magnificent frozen falls.

Grotto Canyon

This 5.2 km round-trip adventure outside of Canmore includes amazing views of the Bow Valley mountains and an inclined narrow slot canyon for part of the journey.

ADVENTURE

Benefits

Feel Happy

Spending time in nature with some light exercise improves your mood and energy levels by creating natural feel-good chemicals in your brain.

Improved Immune System

Breathing in the fresh, crisp air on your ice walk boosts your oxygen intake and can help build a stronger response against viruses, colds, and flus.

Bliss Out

Get away from the hustle and bustle of life, descend into a quiet, intriguing canyon, and contemplate the still water, frozen formations, and sparkling serenity around you, for a truly soothing, meditative experience.

Essential Gear and Equipment

Be sure to dress warm in synthetic or wool layers (and a waterproof outer layer) and bring mitts, a neck warmer, and toque. Your tour guide should provide all specialized equipment needed for your ice walk, including a helmet, waterproof boots, and ice cleats.

Also, don’t forget to bring along a camera to capture the icy wonders!

Tips

Anytime you decide to go explore nature, you should…

Check the weather.
Research the route and take a map with you.
Carry the proper gear for the experience.
Bring extra food.
Tell someone where you are going.
Check with the Parks or tourism office for closures and wildlife updates.
Follow the Leave No Trace principles.
Do not feed, touch or approach wildlife.

Move slowly and mindfully – an ice walk is definitely not a race. A slow pace will help you navigate the slippery terrain safely, as well as give you more opportunity to enjoy your surroundings. Make sure you’re staying aware of your environment, as ice tends to fall when it melts!

Resources

Did You Know?

A truly wondrous and natural phenomenon shows up every winter at Abraham Lake. The lake’s famous ice bubbles are truly a sight to behold, along with other quirky ice formations in the area. Tours out of Nordegg, Alberta will bring you to the best and safest spot to marvel at the bubbles, as well as the rest of the scenic views around you.

Have Questions?

Sometimes it’s just easier to talk to someone. Give us a call and let’s discuss how we can create your unique experience.