Jasper Winter Elopement in Maligne Canyon
2024/2025 Winter Update: Maligne Canyon will be closed this year after the Jasper Wildfire. Maligne Lookout is open!
Jasper National Park is a winter wedding paradise, and the incredible Maligne Canyon is one of the most unique places for adventure elopement and wedding photography here. With the trailhead only 10 minutes from the townsite, the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park is a frozen favourite for locals and visitors alike to explore in the winter season. The Maligne Canyon Icewalk is known to be one of Jasper’s most unique and memorable winter adventures. There is really nothing quite like looking up at the towering walls of the narrow canyon, with frozen waterfalls held in time all around you.
Despite being close by, it is not for the faint of heart! People will need to have good physical ability for winter hiking, and the round trip will take more than an hour just to walk in and out, without considering time for photo stops. Adventuring in a frozen canyon in the Rockies can be dangerous, and it is important to get familiar with how to stay safe - especially if you are thinking of going in a wedding dress!
How and when can I go inside Maligne Canyon?
There are multiple points of access to Maligne Canyon, but the best ones for winter adventure are either at the bottom of the canyon at Fifth Bridge (our favourite), or at the top, next to the Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen. There is plenty of parking at both of those locations. You can also find a good map and information there at the trailheads.
There is nothing stopping anyone from heading in to the canyon on their own, although most people who visit prefer to hire a guide or join a tour. For people looking to hire a private guide for themselves or a group, get in touch with one of the local Tourism Jasper affiliated guides. The Maligne Canyon winter season usually starts around late December, once the ice has been confirmed to be strong and stable enough. Depending on the year, the season may end between February and March. Keep in mind that there is very little sunlight in the canyon, so it is best to go in the mornings or early afternoon. This also means that it is always quite cold in the canyon, so be sure to wear lots of layers!
Can I get my wedding pictures taken in Maligne Canyon?
A fresh dusting of snow on the trees is all that most people need from their winter wedding, but for the more adventurous types there is always the option to kiss your new husband beneath thousands of pounds of frozen waterfall icicles! If that is your kind of thing, then here are a few things to keep in mind when planning to have your wedding photos taken in the canyon.
1) Hire a local licensed guide. Check out this link and this link for details.
2) Hire a local professional photographer who knows the canyon inside and out (like us!).
3) Pack extra layers, snacks, water, and other essentials (like handwarmers).
4) Wear insulated waterproof footwear.
5) Plan for 3-4 hours to get in and back, with all the photo stops on the way.
6) Bring any necessary equipment (ice crampons and headlamps are helpful, for example).
7) Hire a guide if you are not very comfortable with the risks of winter canyoning, or ask your local photographer about other similar, less intensive locations.
If you are planning a trip into Maligne Canyon as part of your wedding, it might make the most sense to have the ceremony at the trailhead or somewhere else, and then just the two of you and your photographer go into the canyon for photographs - rather than having any guests come with you. This is the most simple way to mitigate risks associated with cold, accidents, different skill levels, canyon overcrowding etc. That being said, people have eloped with their closest friends and family in the heart of the canyon before! Just make sure everyone is aware of and prepared for what they are undertaking. It is also required by the national park that you hire a licensed guide to bring your group inside.
Things to keep in mind
The canyon environment is really unique, and it is completely inaccessible to us most of the year. It is only during the coldest winter months that we have the privilege of walking deep into this truly impressive feature of rock and water. As always, it’s important for us to do our part in keeping it pristine. That means:
Pack out what you pack in. We recommend always following Leave no Trace principles.
Know and follow park rules and regulations (This includes having a licensed guide)
Consider the impact of your choices, and of course never carve letters, names, etc into rocks or trees.
Always try to leave natural places as good or better than you found them. (This is why we choose to put Nature First!)
Stay within your comfort and ability. Be careful!
Conclusion
Having your wedding photos taken in front of a frozen waterfall in the heart of Jasper National Parks’ deepest canyon is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a once-in-a-lifetime day; that much is certain! But whether or not it is for you is… a different story. We hope that the information above helps you decide if the adventure into the canyon is a good fit for you. If the answer is yes, or if you’d love to create something similar for your Jasper winter wedding photos, then be sure to get in touch with us and check if we are available for your date!
If you are planning a small wedding or elopement in Jasper National Park, or in Maligne Canyon, check out our Elopement Photography pricing at the link below, and get in touch with any questions!
