Adventure Engagement Session in Maligne Canyon

Adventure sessions are all about taking the idea of ‘having our picture taken’ and turning it into ‘doing something really cool and fun together that you will enjoy and remember forever…. and having our picture taken at the same time’. Like going on a hike exploring frozen Maligne Canyon in the wintertime for your engagement photos in Jasper.

Adventure Engagement and Portrait Sessions in Jasper National Park

Kinfolk has been photographing engagement sessions, couples, and families all over Jasper National Park for a long time. We absolutely love how accessible the stunning mountain views are. We don’t have to go far past our own front door to get to some great photo spots!

That being said, Jasper is a place for adventure - it’s what folks come here for. That’s why we started offering Adventure Portrait Sessions too. Instead of scheduling in time during your vacation or Jasper visit for a photography session, why not choose one of the outings or adventures you plan to do while in Jasper - and simply turn that into the photo session? Not everyone loves having their photo taken, but just about everyone loves having great photos of themselves doing something they love.

People come to Jasper to explore the outdoors in whatever capacity suits them. No matter what your style, ability, or preference, there are countless Jasper adventures for you, and we would love to take those adventures and turn them into photographs that will provide you with lifelong memories of all the fun you had out here in the mountains.

After all; fun in the mountains is what Jasper is all about!

Maligne Canyon Icewalk Adventure Photography

Calling all snowbirds! Bring your skis, snowboards snowshoes, skates, and sleds and - in this case, your crampons! Jasper National Park is a winter paradise, and the Maligne Canyon Icewalk is known to be one of Jasper’s most unique and memorable winter adventures. The truly stunning experience within the canyon is why it has become a favourite for Jasper adventure-seekers. When it comes to having your photo taken with your loved ones, what could be better than doing it in the depths of Maligne Canyon?

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. 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.

Can I get my engagement or family photos taken in Maligne Canyon?

Yes!! The beautiful thing about Maligne Canyon is that it is open and accessible to all, assuming decent mobility. It is a really great family-friendly activity, and will be sure to be a great memory for kids who get to experience it. If you want to have your photos taken inside the canyon there are definitely a couple of things to keep in mind!

Here are a few:

1) Parks Canada requires excursions into the canyon center have a licensed guide. Check out here and here for more 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 hand-warmers).

4) Wear insulated waterproof footwear.

5) Plan for 3-4 hours to get in and back, with all the photo stops on the way. (This session took 3)

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.

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. If you are planning to go in on your own and have plenty of time and energy, walking up along the river trail from 6th Bridge can be quite nice too, though it adds around 1.5km each way.

Most people who visit prefer to hire a guide or join a tour. That being said, the main canyon trail and lower canyon is open to anyone, it’s just a matter of deciding what risk you are comfortable with. 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. We highly recommend hiring a local guide or joining a tour group unless you are very comfortable with outdoor winter activities and winter safety.

The Maligne Canyon winter season usually starts around late December, once the ice has been confirmed to be strong and stable enough. In 2022 it was actually right at the start of December, which was a nice change! Depending on the year, the season may end between February and late 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!

Conditions are constantly changing in the canyon, and the environment is naturally unpredictable. Be sure to check Parks Canada updates!

⚠ Be aware of hazardous ice conditions in Maligne Canyon. An ice shelf has collapsed in the canyon bottom between the third and fourth bridge, leaving a large ice platform unsupported. This platform is unstable and may give away unexpectedly. pic.twitter.com/E15xGC2DLi

— Jasper National Park, Parks Canada (@JasperNP) January 5, 2023

Things to remember when exploring Maligne Canyon

We are so fortunate to be able to venture into the bottom of Maligne Canyon in the winter time! There are plenty of Canyons in the Canadian Rockies, but the Maligne Canyon environment is very unique due to the draining of much of it’s water flow. Many Rocky Mountain canyons are too dangerous to explore like we can Maligne. With this great privilege comes the great responsibility of respectful and responsible use. That means:

• Pack out what you pack in. We recommend always following Leave no Trace principles.

• Know and follow park rules and regulations.

• 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 Kinfolk chooses to put Nature First!)

• Stay within your comfort and ability. Be careful!

What adventure is calling you?

Exploring Maligne Canyon in the winter is a one-of-a-kind experience unique to Jasper. If Jasper is a place that you love to visit, or even if you are only here just once in the wintertime; Maligne Canyon is not to be missed. We hope that these tips and reminders we’ve shared here will help you to make the very most of your experience and help you to stay safe and have fun!

If you have an adventure that you’d love to do in Jasper, and having incredible photographs to remember it by, get in touch with us! We love to collaborate on unique Jasper experiences and creating artwork that will inspire awe for years to come.

In the meantime, keep exploring, and stay safe!