Jasper National Park has gorgeous frozen waterfalls & here’s how to climb them

Is there anything more beautiful than a frozen waterfall? Maybe — the view from the top.

Waterfall ice and mixed climbing are an exciting and invigorating way to enjoy the great outdoors, even in the coldest months of the year. This thrilling activity has grown in popularity over the years, and fortunately for us Albertans, Jasper National Park is a prime destination for reaching new heights.

The largest concentration of established ice routes can be found along the Icefields Parkway, between Lake Louise and Jasper, but there are hundreds of ice clumps located across the mountain National Parks.

The higher the elevation, the colder it gets, which means the earliest ice climbs form near the Columbia Icefields on Highway 93 as soon as October. By late November, most of the valley bottoms have begun to freeze.

If elementary school science failed you the same way it failed me, you may wonder how such an incredible phenomenon occurs. Basically, waterfall spray freezes from the outside in. Ice forms on the surrounding rocks, getting thicker and thicker until the waterfall is covered. It sounds impossible, but when you face these falls in the heart of winter, you’ll see that Mother Nature is capable of magic.

Unless you’re already an experienced climber, you can’t randomly decide to do an ice climb. Fortunately, if you want to try it out, there are guided tours available that require no previous experience. You’ll be provided with the gear and training before an expert guide helps explore places in the park that are inaccessible to most visitors.

Group tours are $225 per person, while private guided ice tours start at $750.

Sadly, Maligne Canyon — one of Jasper’s most iconic landmarks — is closed for the Winter 2024-25 season due to safety concerns following this summer’s wildfire. However, Jasper’s people are as resilient as its nature, and to ensure an amazing climbing experience, your guide will choose the perfect location for your group based on current conditions.

Ice routes are usually in their best condition from December to March, so there’s still time to experience world-class climbing at Jasper National Park.

Ice Climbing – Jasper National Park

Where: Rockaboo Mountain Adventures, 610 Patricia Street, Jasper, Alberta

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