Winter in the Canadian Rockies is a landscape photographer’s dream, where snow-covered peaks, frozen lakes, and ethereal light create a landscape unlike any other. From the iconic ice bubbles of Abraham Lake to the morning light bathing the mountains in Banff National Park, and from the snow-covered mountain passes in Kananaskis to the dramatic scenes along the Icefields Parkway, every scene offers a new opportunity to capture the raw beauty of winter. Braving the cold is part of the adventure, but the rewards with winter photography in the Canadian Rockies are unparalleled: sunrises that last forever, frozen waterfalls, open creeks running towards majestic, snow-covered peaks. In this guide, I’ll take you along on my 2025 winter photography trip to the Canadian Rockies, sharing some of my favourite locations, tips for shooting in extreme conditions, and the magic that makes this season so special. Whether you’re an experienced shooter or planning your first photography adventure, this guide will help you capture the Canadian Rockies at their most spectacular.
2025 marked my sixth annual winter pilgrimage to the Canadian Rockies. Five years ago, my focus was solely on Abraham Lake and a few spots in Banff National Park, but I had little understanding of timing and how it affects photography. I visited the usual tourist hotspots, often in less-than-ideal conditions, and my photos suffered as a result.
Through trial and error, I’ve learned that timing is everything in the Rockies. If you visit too early, large lakes like Abraham Lake and Lake Minnewanka aren’t fully frozen. If you arrive too late, a warm Chinook wind may have melted the ice, muddying its once-clear surface. After several failed attempts, I’ve found that the best time for winter photography in Banff is the last two weeks of January. Lakes have frozen solid enough to walk on but remain largely free of snow, and by this point in the season, the landscape is also simplified under a meter of snow, eliminating distracting underbrush and enhancing compositions.
Another factor I carefully plan around is the moon. Its position shifts each year depending on its phase, and I always look for opportunities to incorporate it into my compositions. This year, one particular shot stood out to me–capturing the moon setting behind Crowfoot Mountain at Bow Lake. Having explored this location extensively over the years, I had a specific composition in mind, one that would take advantage of the soft, directional light of the moon.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Few photography locations in the Canadian Rockies draw me like the peaks and landscapes in Kananaskis Country, which is why Canmore, Alberta, is usually the home base for winter photography adventures. With Kananaskis right on the doorstep and Banff National Park, Yoho National Park, and the Icefields Parkway all within a couple of hours, I’m never far from my favourite photography spots.
Leading up to any trip, I monitor weather conditions obsessively. I track forecasts for snowfall and temperature, hoping for a 10-20 cm snowstorm to blanket the landscape. Fresh snow simplifies the scene, coating trees and covering footprints that would otherwise disrupt my compositions. Temperature is just as crucial—if it’s too warm, snow melts from the trees, and delicate ice features along creeks disappear. Believe it or not, the best winter photography conditions happen when temperatures stay around -15°C or colder.
This year, 2025, marked the driest January in 139 years in Canmore, Alberta. According to mountain ski park webcams, there was no snow on the trees anywhere. Fortunately, the forecast called for frigid temperatures early in my trip, so I knew I needed to prioritize open water shots. When temperatures drop to -25°C, the edges of creeks freeze over, creating some of the most incredible foregrounds I’ve ever seen. Understanding the conditions before arriving allows me to plan my photography around what’s available rather than chasing what isn’t.
On Day 1, my priority was scouting. Webcams and forecasts provide a good starting point, but nothing replaces boots on the ground. That morning, I photographed Mount Murray (which requires some waders and snowshoes to experience) and explored different locations in Kananaskis Country (including the aspen forest along Highway 40, pictured above) and in Banff National Park. Snow was almost nonexistent, but the bitter cold had left plenty of ice and frost along open creeks. And lakes that are typically snow-covered, like Spray Lakes, remained open this year. There were even some incredible ice features on Lake Minnewanka that you’ll see later.
My first morning rarely produces my best images, but it gives me a crucial understanding of the landscape. Instead of forcing shots in conditions that aren’t ideal, I adjust my plans to make the most of what nature offers. For example, I had originally planned a sunset snowshoe hike to Chester Lake (below), but since that area looks best under heavy snowfall, I shifted my focus to locations that better suited the conditions.
My top priority for this trip was capturing Bow Lake under the moonlight. I had two opportunities to photograph this scene, with the most ideal conditions expected on my second day. Thankfully, the cloud forecast was in my favor—while not completely clear, there wasn’t 100% cloud cover, meaning my chances were high.
My day began at 4 AM, followed by a 90-minute drive up the Icefields Parkway to one of the most breathtaking locations in Banff National Park. Having explored this area in previous years, I already had a composition in mind: a few scattered trees in front of Crowfoot Mountain, perfectly arranged to create depth and balance.
As I snowshoed out to my spot, the moon danced in and out of the clouds, casting shadows across the snow. After carefully framing the shot in the stillness of the night, the moon finally illuminated the landscape in a way that felt magical. The shadows of the trees created natural leading lines, drawing the viewer’s eye toward the mountain. The only thing missing? A fresh coat of snow on the trees. Having photographed this scene under better snow conditions in past years, I couldn’t help but imagine how much more striking it could be. I suppose that just gives me a reason to return—or a shot for you to try on your next winter photography adventure in the Canadian Rockies.
My original plan was to stay at Bow Lake for sunrise, but as the first glow of twilight appeared behind the mountains, I started to wonder—was this the best use of my time?
Bow Lake is stunning, but it truly shines under deep snow. This year, the shallow creek was completely frozen over due to the extreme cold, eliminating one of my favourite foreground elements. Since I had photographed better conditions here before, I decided to be greedy—a last-minute sunrise run up the Icefields Parkway to Mount Chephren at Waterfowl Lakes.
While many photographers shoot Mount Chephren from the lakeshore, I had a different composition in mind—a perspective I had scouted before, along the creek that flows out of the lake. The challenge? Accessing this spot requires chest waders since the creek is fast-moving and can reach waist-deep in certain areas.
As I arrived, the pre-dawn glow was building, and heavy clouds swirled around Mount Chephren. I quickly threw on my waders, rushed down to the creek, crossed the icy water, and moved closer to the mountain. What I found left me speechless – the frigid temperatures had created giant ice shelves covered in delicate frost flowers, forming the most incredible textures I had ever seen.
I set up my shot, waiting as the clouds shifted. The sun remained hidden, and 45 minutes passed after the official sunrise before the first rays of light broke through, casting a dramatic glow on the peak. The wait was worth it. The scene before me was nothing short of breathtaking – a reminder that one of the biggest advantages of winter photography in the Canadian Rockies is the extended golden hour. Unlike in summer, when the sun rises quickly and light disappears within minutes, winter’s low sun angle stretches the golden hour into an experience that lasts an hour or more.
No winter photography trip to the Canadian Rockies would be complete without a visit to Abraham Lake, home to its world-famous ice bubbles. After a successful morning, I made the drive the rest of the way to the famous lake with a plan: explore the lake, find the best bubble formations, and capture Mount Michener with a wide-angle lens at sunset.
But I had another goal in mind. Ever since Adam Gibbs and Jeremy Jackson revealed the submerged aspen trees along the west shore of Abraham Lake in the fall, I’ve been searching for a winter equivalent—aspens frozen in the lake’s stunning blue ice. In past years, I never had any luck. The water levels had always receded before freezing, leaving nothing but dry trunks standing in the wind. But this year was different.
I could hardly believe my luck when I stumbled upon a patch of aspens frozen into the lake’s surface. Even more incredible was the fact that they were on a plateau, meaning the water had to freeze extremely quickly to encase them before it drained away. I knew I was witnessing something truly special.
The conditions were perfect. Low cloud cover in the southern sky allowed for both warm sunlight and soft, diffused light, creating beautiful shifts in mood. I spent hours exploring this small grove of aspens, coming away with some of my favorite images from the entire trip.
When shooting forest scenes, I typically rely on a telephoto lens to isolate specific details and create compression. But this time, I ran into a problem—the glare on the ice muted the rich blue tones I wanted to capture. The obvious solution was a polarizer, but I had left mine behind for that lens.
That’s when I switched to my wide-angle lens, even though I rarely use it for forest compositions. By getting extremely close to the trees and angling my lens downward, I was able to cut through the glare with the polarizer I had for that lens while taking advantage of wide-angle distortion, which stretched the trees in a way that added depth and drama. To my surprise, the results were far better than I had anticipated.
After an enjoyable many hours in the aspen grove, it was time to visit the lake and I threw on my ice cleats and spent another many hours exploring for compositions that led nicely to the mountain and set something up but the light never fully co-operated, at least not like I’ve been able to experience here before.
I ultimately only kept one photo from that evening, this intimate scene of the bubbles on Abraham Lake. I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect, top-down view of the bubbles since I first visited 6 years ago. A scene where I could use the wide-angle distortion to my advantage and create the feeling that the bubbles were rushing towards the center. Out of all the images I captured that evening, this is one that stood out.
If you’re planning your first winter photography trip to the Canadian Rockies or simply haven’t explored it yet, Johnston Canyon’s frozen waterfalls are an absolute must-see. Few places compare to the sight of towering ice formations, where cascading water freezes into unique blue sculptures.
On Day 3, heavy cloud cover created the perfect conditions for photographing this popular spot. The soft, diffused light eliminated harsh shadows and highlights, allowing the textures and colors of the ice to shine without distraction.
The hike itself is relatively easy, and by mid-to-late January, the trail is usually well-packed. However, some years bring extra icy patches, so packing ice cleats is a smart precaution—especially if you plan to reach the Upper Falls, the highlight of the hike. The massive ice wall is a favorite among climbers, and for photographers, it offers endless creative opportunities. With a telephoto lens, you can spend hours capturing intricate details, abstract compositions, and the ever-changing textures of the stunning blue ice.
The morning of Day 4 began at Spray Lakes in Kananaskis, where I photographed some incredible ice formations and bubbles. The compositions were stunning, but the light never cooperated. Knowing how rare it is to get clear, exposed ice on Spray Lakes, I made the decision then and there—this would be my final sunrise location the next morning.
To wrap up the day, I headed to Lake Minnewanka for my third attempt at photographing the sunset at the lake of the trip. On my first day in the Rockies, I had stumbled upon a small ice cave, just big enough to fit my camera. The composition it offered was unlike anything I had seen before, and I knew I had to capture it under the right conditions.
The biggest hurdle was physically composing the image. The cave was so small that I couldn’t flip out my screen, and I could barely fit my hands inside to properly focus stack the scene. My first attempt was a frustrating exercise in trial and error, and I quickly realized that without a way to see what my camera was seeing, I’d never frame the shot correctly.
After some detective work, I discovered Nikon’s SnapBridge app, which allowed me to remotely adjust exposure and trigger the shutter via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth—the perfect solution.
Armed with my new setup, I returned on Day 3 for Attempt #2. Everything seemed to be working until… my phone died halfway through the shoot. I had foolishly left my charger behind, and just as I had confirmed that the app worked flawlessly, I lost my ability to compose the shot. The light didn’t materialize that evening anyway, so while frustrating, it was ultimately just another learning experience.
I had ironed out every issue by the time I made my third attempt. My phone was fully charged, I knew exactly where to position my camera, and I even brought pine cones to help level it inside the ice cave. This time, I was fully prepared. As the sun dipped and began to skim the horizon, high-altitude clouds caught the evening glow, while the mountain was bathed in golden light. Everything came together exactly as I had envisioned—and I walked away with one of my favorite images ever from the Canadian Rockies.
The final shoot of the trip had arrived. After this morning’s sunrise, I would be saying goodbye to the Canadian Rockies—but not before capturing one last incredible image. This wasn’t just about ending the trip; it was about creating something truly unique.
I had my sights set on Spray Lakes, eager to return to the ice formations I had scouted the morning before. The forecast called for clear skies in the east and scattered clouds above the lake, the perfect setup for dramatic, directional light to illuminate the peaks.
Since I had never photographed these particular mountains at sunrise, I wasn’t sure exactly when they would catch the morning light. But thanks to PlanIt Pro, a photography planning app, I knew they would be lit at some point—it was just a matter of waiting.
I hiked out to the exact spot I had geo-tagged on Google Maps and settled in. The morning was calm and frigid, my breath visible in the icy air. I scanned the horizon, eager for the first rays of sunlight to strike the peaks.
Suddenly, the mountains across the lake lit up in warm golden light. My heart sank—had I miscalculated? I quickly spun around and snapped a few frames, but the scene didn’t resonate with me. I trusted my instincts, turned back to my original composition, and waited.
The wait was agonizing. But then—it happened.
The sun finally broke through, casting its glow on the mountains I had been patiently watching. Just as the light reached its peak, a delicate layer of low cloud drifted into the scene, perfectly framing the mountain. It was the perfect finale to an unforgettable winter photography trip in the Canadian Rockies.
Winter photography in the Canadian Rockies is a truly unforgettable experience, offering a landscape transformed by snow, ice, and dramatic light. Whether you’re chasing the ice bubbles of Abraham Lake, photographing frozen waterfalls in Johnston Canyon, or capturing the sunrise in Banff National Park, the opportunities for breathtaking images are endless. However, winter conditions can be challenging, so proper planning and preparation are essential for a successful photography adventure.
Winter photography in the Canadian Rockies requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to adapt. But when everything aligns—the light, the snow, and the composition—it results in some of the most magical and rewarding images you’ll ever capture. So bundle up, brave the cold, and immerse yourself in one of the most spectacular winter landscapes on Earth. Happy shooting!
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