Definitely one of the top things to do in Jasper in winter! Having an insulated pair of boots will help ensure that your feet stay warm and dry while you’re hiking. The steep snow covered trail can be icy and slippery, wear proper winter footwear. That’s why so many people from around the world flock to Banff and Jasper National Parks to soak up the breathtaking landscapes and see majestic wildlife. Who knows, you might even see the northern lights! The Maligne Canyon Ice Walk is one such winter adventure. Maligne Valley in Winter. Headlamps (along with other gears) will be provided. Stunning 30 metre tall ice falls and sparkling ice caves await in the inner recesses of the canyon. Maligne Canyon is the deepest accessible canyon in Jasper National Park. Down at the canyon, you’ll have the chance to refill your water bottle with fresh, ice-cold water from the frozen waterfalls! In the winter, it is much quieter. The hike is gorgeous and the views are incredible starting at the first bridge. I’ll definitely have to add Maligne Canyon to the list. The best part about visiting Maligne Canyon in winter is that you get to go off-trail and walk on the canyon floor — something that simply isn’t possible during the summer. Water is crucial when hiking in any type of weather or season, and winter is no different. Please work together so users can pass. All your five senses will be stimulated to take in the beauty, power, and vastness of our environment. The Maligne Canyon Ice walk offers an experience of wonders in winter from a unique perspective. In addition, it includes a tasty meal at the Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen. Its floor is frozen, the limestone walls partially concealed by a curtain of ice. Like most people who have visited Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada, I have walked around Maligne Canyon in the summer. Winter wonderland in Jasper. The frozen top layers of the Maligne River provide part of the path for this truly “off the beaten path” winter Jasper hike. Peering over the edge of a snow covered bridge, I have to catch my breath when I think about how far down the canyon below is. Things to do, and points of interest. The safest way to visit Maligne canyon is to go with a guide As always, all opinions on For Two, Please are our own and we only recommend brands that we 100% stand behind. Your email address will not be published. and even come across a waterfall that never freezes no matter how cold it is!! Note: If you join a tour, cleats and helmets are provided by the tour operator. I hate being cold but I love winter landscapes. The Maligne Canyon ice walk is a signature winter experience in Jasper National Park. Continue your Jasper adventure at Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen. Depending on your physical level, it can take 2.5 to 3 hrs just to complete the loop. Spectacular icicles and frozen waterfalls hang along Jasper's Maligne Canyon rock faces. It is truly mindblowing to see the mountains you hiked in the summer transformed into a magical winter wonderland – with frozen waterfalls, icy blue gorges, and snow falling all around you! Saving this article for future planning! My husband and I stopped at the Maligne Canyon Wilderness kitchen prior to our hike for some food. Maligne Canyon Loop Trail. This system makes it easy to trap body heat and create insulation, and when it gets too warm, you can remove the clothings layer by layer (instead of everything altogether). Hi, we are Cat + Kev, an adventure-loving couple from Canada who are committed to help young couples find daring adventures, food encounters, and luxury escapes unique to a destination. Consider these options to make your Jasper sightseeing adventure as enjoyable (and comfortable) as possible: ⇢ Waterproof shell mitts or gloves, with insulated liners, ⇢ An insulated winter jacket (more on this in the next section), ⇢ Wind- and water-resistant pants (more on this in the next section). A guide will safely tour you around with interpretive knowledge. You will take three hours to complete the seven kilometer Maligne Canyon trail from Maligne River. Be sure to pack plenty of water and healthy snacks, such as granola bars and dried fruit to help you recharge along the way. It is a real treat to the tastebuds! Then, you're at the right place. The opal hills loop is 8.2 kilometers, and you can take four to six hours. Maligne Canyon Ice Walk. Regular tours are available to access the valley bottom. Opal Hills loop. During the winter months, Maligne Canyon becomes a frozen oasis awaiting exploration! In the summertime, you can watch the Maligne Canyon falls take a roaring 50-m drop into a dizzyingly deep, narrow gorge. Well worth checking out, the French onion soup was delicious. You’ll have to hike along the rim of the canyon, past Fourth Bridge, to gain access to the bottom of the canyon. I love the ice hike pictures. Jasper looks so pretty! NTS Map: 083C13Visit Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park in the summer and you'll see a raging torrent of a river thrashing its way down the deepest canyon in the ... hike Seasons: spring fall summer ... 38m under the viewing bridge, it is the biggest waterfall in the canyon. The trail loops around the canyon on both sides with a series of six bridges across the gorge. For info on the Maligne Canyon trail system as seen in the summer, please see Maligne Canyon, Summer . Your email address will not be published. A good set of cleats (or crampons or microspikes, whatever you’d like to call them) are also essential. The guide will lead you safely down to the canyon floor and through a maze of glittering ice formations that rises 30 meters above your head. Maligne Canyon ice walk can be easily be done as a self-guided excursion, but with a guide, you will enjoy the extra benefits of learning about geology and history of the area, not to mention the locations to the picture-perfect lookout points and the secret entrance to the underground cave system!! The frozen blue waterfalls look amazing. National marine conservation areas system, Directory of federal heritage designations, Ski touring, alpine ski touring, and ski mountaineering, Make sure you have the right gear and clothing, a helmet and ice cleats are highly recommended, Visit a local guide or the park information centre before you go, Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return, Bring a headlamp - you never know when you might be delayed, Thin ice and/or breakable shelf ice may give way unexpectedly, Below the ice, the river is cold, deep and fast-moving, Watch for ice climbers and ask permission to pass if you are walking below, There are limited ways to exit the canyon, making escape difficult. Go over the bridge across Maligne River and turn right onto Maligne Canyon Trail. Head into The Pines at Pyramid Lake Resort for a warm beverage and a hearty meal following your hike. You will first be welcomed with spectacular canyon views near the first and second bridges. The same road will also lead you to the famous Jasper attractions – Maligne Lake and Spirit Island. You might need to sit and slide at some point (so fun!) When thinking of geological wonders, Jasper National Park springs to mind, and the Maligne Canyon trail jumps to the top of the list. My boys would love this! The frozen waterfall is a staple for winter family friendly hikes in Alberta, and is a popular snowshoeing trail. Local tour companies offer guided walks, or take it up a notch and try ice climbing with a certified mountain guide. It is simply breathtaking! I’ve wanted to visit Jasper and Banff for a long time – both in winter and summer. No matter what time of the day, the restaurant serves up mouthwatering smoked food like pulled pork, wild boar, slow-cooked brisket, and hickory-smoked chicken, all are locally sourced from the region. ©2021 For Two, Please. Decided to check this hike out while on a day trip to Jasper. I've wanted to explore Maligne Canyon in the winter ever since I learned that it is a thing to do. Taking to the trails in the winter can be a fantastic experience, but don’t let inappropriate attire ruin it. Assess the trail conditions before you set out. That sounds serious. Still a little bit frozen in May. Most tours will take care of transportation to/from your hotel so you don’t need to fuss about finding the correct Maligne Canyon location. Getting to Maligne Canyon.. To get to the Maligne Canyon Trailhead, follow Highway 16 towards Edmonton; go 1.8 km past the east Jasper exit to the Maligne … jasper Jasper National Park Maligne Canyon Maligne Canyon ice walk winter Leigh McAdam is a Calgary based writer, author, photographer and social media enthusiast with over 61,000 followers. Observe the entrance to Maligne canyon's cave system, ice caves, fossils and towering frozen waterfalls stretching up to 40m along the canyon walls. SIGN UP to get 100+ bucket list ideas for your next couple's getaway: For Two, Please is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Design by Purr. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from April until September. Hiking Distance 3.7 km (from the Sixth Bridge one way) Hiking Time It will take 1-2hrs to hike each way with a little sight-seeing time considered. Hike & Dine at Maligne Canyon, Jasper. Awesome! Most tours loop back after crossing the fifth bridge. Imagine exploring the canyon by moonlight under a canopy of sparkling stars, what a stellar experience would that be! Maligne Canyon: Hike in the winter canyon - See 4,544 traveler reviews, 2,372 candid photos, and great deals for Jasper, Canada, at Tripadvisor. Hikers of all abilities can explore this incredible natural landmark by crossing six bridges built across various points of the canyon. If you depart from the Wilderness Kitchen, the path begins with a gradual descent. Hiking the Maligne Canyon in the winter is a very different experience. Taking into account the time spent navigating and photo-taking, we suggest planning 45 mins to 1 hr for the off-trail exploration. If you haven’t visited Banff and Jasper in the winter, you’re really missing out. The loop trail (4.4 km) takes you along the Maligne River and into the narrow Maligne Canyon, the deepest gorge in the Canadian Rockies. Sign up to receive the latest travel inspiration and a FREE travel bucket list with 140 ideas for your next couple's getaway! These trails are still open in the winter, so for information on those, see the summer post. Maligne Canyon: Beautiful Winter Canyon - See 4,547 traveler reviews, 2,373 candid photos, and great deals for Jasper, Canada, at Tripadvisor. Decided to check this hike out while on a day trip to Jasper. While it can easily be done as a self-guided excursion (wearing ice cleats), you get the full benefit of the experience if you do a tour. Fifty-one meters- the same height as Niagara Falls. Definitely have to make a trip out there! Then off you go into the canyon! This is a great family-friendly hike that provides great views of the mountains and the incredible canyon geology. Required fields are marked *. Maligne Canyon: Maligne Canyon in the winter. Of all the Jasper winter hikes, Magline Canyon is one of the most stunning and unique trails of the season. The Maligne Canyon walk explores the finest limestone gorge in Jasper National Park. Whether you’re a winter walker or climber, Maligne Canyon offers beauty and adventure like no other. Maligne Canyon Winter. You’ve got two options for exploring Maligne Canyon during the winter months: on your own, or as part of the great tours offered during the Icewalk Tour. Please try again. Here are the Maligne Canyon directions from the Jasper townsite: ⇢ Take the turnoff for Maligne Lake Road to the right, ⇢ Go across the iron bridge across the Athabasca River, ⇢ Stay left at the fork on the road and follow the sign for Maligne Canyon. But to really get up close to the frozen waterfalls, ice caves, and fascinating natural ice sculptures, you need to get down to the frozen canyon floor. After getting equipped with helmets, boots and cleats, the guide will give you a brief breakdown of the schedule. We're almost done. Did you know that Jasper National Park is the world’s largest dark sky preserve (with 11,000 sq km)? Second bridge, the limestone walls partially concealed by a curtain of ice who visited.: 3.9 km ( + other various routes ) Elevation: 144 m:. 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