The Five Best Locations To Skate Wild Ice In The Canadian Rockies

Wild Ice is the phenomenon where in early winter or late fall as the temperatures start to plummet, the lakes in the Canadian Rockies freeze. This freeze can be gradual where portions of a Lake freeze over slowly or incredibly quick. This incredibly quick freeze creates the best conditions for wild ice. It means the entire lake will be completely flat with glass like ice on the surface, creating the most immaculate and spooky skating rink you can imagine.

In this blog I will go over my favourite locations for skating, plus some tips and tricks to keep you safe while doing so.

Top 5 Locations:

• #1 - Lake Louise - Lake Louise is one of the most beautiful locations on the entire planet, and with it being at a higher altitude to most lakes it means it will generally have a fast thick layer of ice almost overnight. However with Lake Louise there is one issue. The most stunning Wild Ice is for a very short window. You must catch the ice here before it snows. Once it snows even a little it will be almost impossible to skate and also dangerous as you won’t be able to see what is below your feet. Which could mean cracks or thin parts that can be incredibly hazardous. However, if the conditions align and you are there for that short window. You will be graced with dark blue glass that stretches the entire length of the lake.

• #2 Vermillion Lakes- - Vermillion Lakes are some of the most photographed here in the Rockies due to their proximity to town and relatively shallow depth meaning they normally have phenomenal reflections. These factors are also great for Wild Ice hunters. Being close to town is great as you can be constantly checking the conditions as the lake begins to freeze, and the shallow depth means it is a significantly safer option for skating on thin ice.
  Vermillion Lakes consist of several large lakes right in the valley floor just outside of the town of Banff. These lakes can freeze all at once or one at a time depending on conditions. Obviously again the best time to go is right as the lake freezes where you get those glass like conditions we all dream about. However, Vermillion can be skated all winter long at the third lake where there is a hot spring constantly melting and freezing over again.

• #3 - Lake Minnewanka - The old faithful. Lake Minnewanka is one of the deeper lakes here in the rockies, and with it being 25km long it takes a while to freeze. This usually happens around early January which is one of our drier winter months for snow.
  This means that the lake will freeze solid while not getting snow covered too quickly, and also due to the high winds in this area can remain snow free for weeks or months. It is even possible to do the 50km skate from one end to the other if you are bold enough. With Minnewanka often freezing multiple feet on the surface not only is it super stable and safe to skate on you could realistically land a plane on it without cracking the ice.

• #4 - Spray Lakes - The longest lake in the Canadian Rockies. Which is surprisingly very shallow. This means a quick freeze and makes for super stunning conditions skating above the old tree stumps below the ice. It is a must to get up here as soon as you hear it is freezing however because it will get snowed over fairly fast. Though can have a few freeze thaw cycles which can mean it refreshes the ice repeatedly some years.

• #5 - Two Jack Lake - unlike Lake Minnewanka its neighbour, Two jack freezes significantly earlier and faster than Minnewanka, I have had the best conditions I have ever skated on Two Jack some years usually around mid November. However this one needs some caution. It is notorious for being safe to skate one minute, then liquid the next. I know of countless people who have taken a polar plunge by accident in this lake while skating.

Safety Concerns:

While wildice is an incredible experience and is absolutely beautiful to skate on due to its perfect smooth freeze, it comes with its serious set of safety hazards. The most obvious is inconsistent ice thickness. In one section of the lake it may be safe to skate just 10m away it may be millimetres thick. Always take an ice screw or a drill to check the thickness and if in doubt, don’t go.
Cracking ice isn’t always dangerous, but if you see any liquid water around those cracks, get the fuck out of there.
The sun can cause havoc with wild ice. Where in the morning you might be able to skate the entire length of a lake, by noon it will be liquid in sections. Always have an escape route planned in your head and keep as close to shore as you feel comfortable.
And always, work with the conditions you have got. Don’t push the limits of what is safe, (never less than 15cm of ice) and have the best time.