Where to Find Alberta's Best Frozen Waterfalls

There's no doubt that seeing a rushing, roaring waterfall is a breathtaking experience. But frozen waterfalls take on a magical quality all their own. They're beautiful to look at, of course, but frozen waterfalls are also perfect for ice climbing. Don't worry, you don't have to be an expert adventurer to enjoy it. There's plenty of courses to help you out, no matter what level you're at.

You can chase frozen waterfalls all over Alberta, but we've rounded up five of the best to get you going. Get your camera and crampons ready.

Crescent Falls

Crescent Falls is a two-for-one experience. It's a series of two waterfalls located on the Bighorn River in Clearwater Country. That's about 25 km (15.5 mi) from Nordegg off Highway 11 (David Thompson Highway).

To see the falls, take the Crescent Falls and Bighorn Canyon loop trail. It's an easy hike with big payoff and about 5.6 km (3.5 mi) round-trip. When you arrive at the falls, the longest drop is 27 m (88 ft). You can take everything in from the upper lookout or head down to the plateau located between both falls.

A visit to Crescent Falls can also be combined with a visit to the famous ice bubbles at Abraham Lake. January is prime viewing time, but the bubbles can be seen from late November to mid-March.

Siffleur Falls

The Siffleur Falls hike is among the most popular hikes in David Thompson Country during the summer months. In winter, the falls are an entirely different experience. The trailhead to Siffleur Falls can be found 65 km (40 mi) from Nordegg, off Highway 11 (David Thompson Highway). There's parking right off the highway – just watch for signs for Siffleur Falls Day Use Area.

The falls are within the Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve, and the hike is approximately 9.5 km (6 mi) return. It's ranked easy, so don't let the distance deter you. The Siffleur Falls viewpoint is about 3.5 km (2 mi) from the start of the trail. You can either turn back or keep going another 2.5 km (1.5 mi) to see the second set of falls. Another 1.5 km (0.9 mi) – you can do it – is where you'll find the third and final set.

You'll also find yourself within 16 km (9.9 mi) of Abraham Lake if you visit Siffleur Falls. This affords you another shot at seeing the famed ice bubbles.

Panther Falls

This is a hidden gem within Banff National Park off the famous Columbia Icefields Parkway. Panther Falls is a short hike from the popular Bridal Veil Falls pull-out along the highway. Take the Bridal Veil Falls trail and go straight ahead at the junction to find Panther Falls. It's only about 0.3 km (0.1 mi) out and back from the junction, so it's worth the little bit of extra time. That's because these falls boast a drop of about 61 m (200 ft). You can hike to the bottom of the falls or take a higher trail to see it all from midway. But who's to say you can't do both if you're feeling adventurous?

Elbow Falls

The smallest of the falls on our list with a 6m (20 ft) drop is no less spectacular. This set of waterfalls can be found along the Elbow River, 18 km (11 mi) southwest of Bragg Creek. There's easy to find parking off Highway 66 before hitting the 1 km (0.6 mi) loop to Elbow Falls. You’ll be glad you stopped.

Lundbreck Falls

Lundbreck Falls are named after the neighbouring hamlet. Lundbreck, with a whopping population of 236, started as a coal mining town in 1907. The falls rise approximately 12 m (39 ft) and can be found adjacent to where Highway 3A crosses the Crowsnest Pass. There are two prime viewing spots to take in the falls. Situate yourself either from an observation platform or at the base of the falls in the limestone gorge. It's all less than 1 km (0.6 mi) from the Lundbreck Falls Recreation Area and one of the top hikes in the Crowsnest Pass.