Winter Field Guides

Going to Abraham Lake to view the ice bubbles can be a fun and safe adventure. That being said, there are always risks associated with playing outside and ice walks are no different.

Safety starts with your knowledge, experience and skills. You should be familiar with assessing ice conditions, have the right equipment and have a plan before you head out on Abraham Lake. This is the same as knowing the basics before heading up the chairlift to ski or going up a frozen waterfall to climb.

Keep in mind that Abraham Lake is a large reservoir, used by TransAlta to generate power. The water level drops throughout the winter, creating changing ice conditions which combined with the strong winds can make it an unforgiving place to explore.

To make your adventure safer, we recommend that you avoid the ice between the dam and Windy Point. In the areas we suggest in our guides, only go on the ice where you can see that the ice is thick enough and avoid areas where creeks and rivers enter the lake. Bring ice cleats along and never go down a steep area that you may not be able to easily climb back up. Avoid snow-covered areas since they may be hiding weak ice underneath.

We’ve put together an Abraham Lake Ice Safety Guide to help you get started. If you’re unsure or need more information than what we’ve shared, we recommend that you go with a guide.

The short answer is that it depends.

Going looking for ice bubbles is a little like wildlife viewing. You never know how the conditions will change and while we can highlight some of the spots where you’re most likely to find them there are no guarantees.

We can usually get on the ice at Preacher’s Point by mid-November since the southern third of the lake usually freezes 4 to 8 weeks before the rest of the lake. This area gives some unique ice features and views. It is where we find large patches of tiny bubbles and see the ground underneath the ice. It’s also a popular time to catch the sunburst between the peaks of Ex Coelis Mountain.

If you’re looking for the deeper stacks of bubbles over turquoise water then the best time is shortly after the rest of the lake freezes. This usually happens sometime between early December and mid-January depending on the year. Planning a visit between January 10 and 25 is usually a safe bet for those views, but keep in mind that conditions change from year to year.

February usually brings a few snow storms, which combined with the cracks caused by the lower water levels, make for some amazing views with reasonably clear ice.

Towards the end of February the temperatures start to rise and the sun is now warming up the ice throughout the day. The ice starts to get cloudy and finding clear ice bubbles requires exploring more shaded areas or where earlier snowfall protected the ice underneath from the sun.

As March rolls in the ice bubbles disappear as the ice turns cloudier. At this time of the year we find amazing ice features, looking like flowers and lace patterns.

You can look back through our ice condition updates and photos to get a sense of what the lake looks like throughout the year.

We often get asked what the best choice is between two or three dates, usually weeks in advance. We wish we could tell you that January 22nd will be absolutely perfect but the truth is that we don’t know.

Even looking at the next 24 to 48 hours can be challenging with the local weather forecast being quite unreliable due to the unique weather patterns of Abraham Lake.

That being said, we have a good idea of what to expect at different times of the year after over a decade of guiding tours on Abraham Lake. Have a look above for what to expect at different times of the year and reach out if you have something specific you would like to experience on a tour.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the unpredictable weather also means that storms and a snow-covered lake tend to only last for a day or two. Our recommendation, especially for photographers, is to plan on spending four days in the region. This usually gives a window that allows us to catch a colourful sunrise and sunset, enough time for the winds to clear large patches of ice, and plenty of time to get the photo you’ve been dreaming up.

You can find out more about current conditions and what the lake looks like at different times of the year here.

Absolutely not. You’ll find a lot of information on our site to help you plan a visit on your own.

Going out with a guide has a few obvious benefits like increased safety, having ice cleats provided and spending less time trying to figure out where the best location is on that particular day.

Our tours are designed so that you can fully enjoy the awe-inspiring beauty of the ice bubbles on Abraham Lake. Our local guides, small groups and mountain hospitality mean that you are free to enjoy the moment while we explore at your pace.

Find out more about our winter tours here.

Yes on most days. You can almost always find a patch of clear ice that is large enough to enjoy skating.

Skating is a great way to explore areas that are further from the access point. One tip, start your adventure by skating into the wind. This way the return is much more enjoyable.

Skating has a bigger impact on the ice than walking with ice cleats and it’s appreciated by others who are also enjoying the ice if you choose an area with fewer people or less bubbles when planning a group skate on Abraham Lake.

We have a limited selection of nordic skates, ideal for covering longer distances, available for rental in addition to our skating tour.