Few places in the world transform as dramatically in winter as the Canadian Rockies. From the icy blues of frozen lakes to snow-dusted peaks glowing under low alpine light, Banff and its surrounding parks become a true photographer’s dreamscape between December and March. This workshop is designed to capture that magic, guiding you to some of the Rockies’ most photogenic locations while giving you the time, space, and instruction to create images you’ll be proud to print and share.

Our adventure begins in Calgary before quickly heading west into the mountains. Early stops include sunrise over the Three Sisters in Canmore, the glassy reflections of Vermilion Lakes, and the sweeping winter shoreline of Lake Minnewanka. Already beautiful year-round, these locations take on an ethereal quality in winter—soft morning mist, intricate frost patterns, and alpenglow that lingers much longer than in summer. Each stop presents diverse opportunities, from sweeping grand vistas to intimate ice and snow details.

Banff will serve as our base for exploring an incredible range of winter landscapes. We’ll travel the legendary Icefields Parkway, often called one of the most scenic mountain roads in the world, photographing frozen alpine lakes such as Bow Lake and Waterfowl Lakes against jagged peaks. A day trip into Yoho National Park will bring us to Emerald Lake, whose striking green hue contrasts beautifully with deep snow, and the Natural Bridge, where centuries of water and ice have carved a dramatic limestone arch.

A true highlight will be our excursion to Abraham Lake, world-renowned for the frozen methane bubbles trapped beneath its icy surface. These otherworldly formations create mesmerizing foregrounds and leading lines set against towering mountains. Combined with Banff’s many accessible lakes, rivers, and canyons, the region provides endless creative opportunities—icy cascades, unfrozen streams weaving through snow, sculpted ice patterns, and frozen lakes unlike anywhere else on Earth.

What makes Banff and the Canadian Rockies so special in winter is that this level of mountain scenery is both world-class and remarkably accessible. Unlike many alpine ranges where deep snow cuts off access, here we can reach nearly all our shooting locations by well-maintained roads. This means you’ll photograph dramatic peaks, frozen lakes, and winter wonderlands at the very heart of the Rockies without the logistical hurdles of more remote expeditions.

We’ll time our outings around the best light—soft dawn pastels, glowing sunsets, and the low-angled winter sun that keeps landscapes bathed in golden light all day long. With shorter days, the shooting schedule is relaxed yet productive, and we’ll build in time for image reviews and discussions on composition, exposure, and creative approaches to winter photography.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll have experienced one of the world’s great winter photography destinations—from Banff and Canmore up through the Saskatchewan River Crossing, the Columbia Icefield, and beyond. You’ll return home with a stunning portfolio of winter mountain images, plus the skills, stories, and confidence to seek out and capture the beauty of winter wherever you travel.