One of the most popular outdoor activities, outside of skiing and snowboarding, of Jasper Pride is the Maligne Canyon Ice Walk Tour, hosted by Sundog Tours. I had gone the year prior, so Rob and Justin took my place while I toured the Lodge. It was Justin’s first time but Rob’s third time doing it.

The walk is something you should experience. Sundog Tours provides the boots and cleats needed, but it is recommended to dress warmly. They also provide the transportation from Jasper downtown to the starting point.

The walk is about 3.5km, mostly downhill. Over the years, Rob has noticed there is less ice to see; it seems that every time we go to Jasper the weather is getting warm earlier than normal. Even though the ice is reduced, it is still an amazing site to see. The core of the ice formation is still in place.

This upcoming year, Jasper Pride is the second weekend of March, so hopefully things will remain cold enough that people can see more of the ice than they could last year.

During the summer, the river is freely running in Maligne Canyon, so visitors walk along the top path of and look down at the waterfalls. When the falls freeze, visitors can take the tour that brings them down onto the frozen river, viewing the falls from below.

Hotels and so forth will freeze water to create ice castles, but the frozen waterfall and the frozen river will be naturally unique every winter. Parts can refreeze, melt away or break off. Even the walk from the starting point to the point of departure is spectacular. Mountains all around Jasper are covered in untouched snow, providing some amazing photos.

If you have not had a chance to go on the walk, book right away before it is sold out. You should not miss this as part of Jasper Pride.

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Contributor Steve Polyak |

Locale Jasper |

Topic Jasper Pride | Maligne Canyon Ice Canyon Walk | Sundog Tours | Travel |

Photo Gallery Jasper |Travel |