Name: Icefalls + Ice Bubbles FAM Tour
Start: 2019-01-30T00:00:00-07:00
End: 2019-01-30T23:59:59-07:00
Location: Nordegg Adventures

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Icefalls + Ice Bubbles FAM Tour

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The icefalls in the Cline River Canyon

Find out more about our Showcase Adventures

We're excited to share with you one of our most popular winter tour in David Thompson Country. The Icefalls + Ice Bubbles tour draws guests to the area from all over the world looking to experience walking on the ice bubbles of Abraham Lake.

On this full day adventure you'll get to explore Bighorn Country as our guests do. First up is a snowshoe or winter hike (depending on snow conditions) through the lodgepole pine forest as we make our way to a viewpoint overlooking the Cline River Canyon. We'll then make our way down into the canyon, walking along a frozen creek, to enjoy a snack surrounded by icefalls. On most days you'll get to watch ice climbers work their way up the canyon walls.

After building an appetite on our hike we're heading for lunch with a view, overlooking Abraham Lake and surrounded by the peaks of Mount Michener, Sentinel Mountain and Mount Abraham.

The afternoon is spent on Abraham Lake ice walk, hunting for ice bubbles, quirky ice formations and taking in the views from the frozen lake.

This FAM tour is open to those working in the tourism industry in Red Deer, Rocky Mountain House and Central Alberta at a very special rate of $25 per person. Lunch, hiking poles, snowshoe rentals (if needed), ice cleats, a professional guide and transportation from Red Deer or Rocky Mountain House are all included. There's only 8 spots available, reserve yours now!

Thanks to David Thompson Country for supporting this tour

Highlights

Experience David Thompson Country in its most magical season.
See the famous ice bubbles on Abraham Lake.
Snowshoe on an easy trail in a scenic area.
Enjoy the peace and quiet of the mountains, away from the crowds.
Learn about the natural and human history of the area.

Perfect for: Anybody looking for a fun day playing outside. No prior snowshoe or hiking experience required.

This day trip is open to all ability levels, whether you are a beginner and or an expert. You must be comfortable walking 4+ km in a variety of conditions.

Tour Overview

Departure: [tribe_formatted_event_date format="F j, Y"]
Rate: $25 per person
Activity: Snowshoeing / Ice Walking
Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
Hiking Distance: 4-5 km
Elevation Gain: ~50m
Duration: 10 hours from Red Deer
Departure: Red Deer, Rocky Mountain House & Nordegg

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The Experience

The Cline River Canyon

After a walk through the forest with glimpses of Abraham Lake in the distance we come up to the edge of the narrow Cline River Canyon.

The dry climate in the area makes the icefalls on the edges of the canyon a popular ice climbing area and the views from the canyon floor particularly stunning. As one of our guests put it: "this is the place I didn't know was on my bucket list".

Fans of Mary Shaffer's writing will know this area by an older name, Cataract Creek. Officially the river is named after Michel Klyne, the postmaster at Jasper House in the 1820's, who used this route to trade fur on the Kootenay Plains.

Snowshoeing

The trail to the canyon is an easy to moderate snowshoe with 3 short but steeper hills along the way. The snowshoes you'll use are designed for trails and low snow or icy conditions, with crampons built into them. Your guide will share some tips on how to use the snowshoes along the way, making going up and down the hills a breeze.

We'll be snowshoeing for 45 minutes to an hour each way, with lots of stops for pictures along the way.

Abraham Lake Ice Walk

After lunch we're heading out on Abraham Lake for an ice walk. With the methane bubbles under our feet and amazing peaks surrounding us, the afternoon goes by fast as even better sights await us along the way.

You'll wear ice cleats as we make our way onto the frozen lake with your guide taking you to same of the best and safest spots in the area.

The Food

You'll never leave hungry from one of our tour. Lunch and snacks vary based on the day but you'll find some delicious food from local producers like Big Bend Market, Viva-Deli, Sylvan Star Cheese, Humble Hummus, Beck Farms as well as our own Montreal style bagels and baked goods.

After the ice walk, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate along with housemade marshmallows and graham crackers.

Curious about the food? Stop by our Basecamp + Cafe in Red Deer to find out more.

The Details

When and where does the tour start?

Red Deer: 7:30 am at Pursuit Adventures' Basecamp + Cafe. Get Directions >
Rocky Mountain House: 8:30 am at the Visitor Information Centre. Get Directions >

Return time varies based on the group and conditions but expect to be back by:

Rocky Mountain House: 5:00 pm
Red Deer: 6:00 pm

The itinerary may change without notice due to the weather and other factors. Our goal is to always provide the best possible experience.

What do I need to bring?

Be prepared for the mountain weather. Conditions can change quickly and our winter tours run in anything from - 30C to +10C. Abraham Lake is a very windy place, bring an extra layer with you just in case.

Required Items

Winter boots
Appropriate clothing for the weather including long underwear
A winter jacket and snow pants
An extra sweater
Tuque and gloves
A water bottle
A small backpack

What's Included?

We provide hiking poles, ice cleats and snowshoes at no charge for this tour.
A professional guide.
Gourmet lunch and hot chocolate.
Guides carry emergency equipment, including first aid kits and cell phone or satellite communicators on all tours.

What's Not Included

Appropriate clothes and footwear for the weather conditions.
Water bottles, camera and backpack.

What kind of lunch is included?

Lunch for this adventure includes the choice of:

Veggie sandwich (hummus, lettuce, tomato, cucumber and green pepper on a Montreal style bagel),
Montreal Smoked Bison sandwich (Big Bend smoked bison, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato and green pepper with BBQ sauce on a Montreal style bagel) or
Honey maple turkey sandwich (honey maple turkey, Boursin cheese, lettuce, tomato, cucumber with deli mustard on a Montreal style bagel).

Lunches also include a juice box, veggies and dip, fruits and dessert.

Hot chocolate is available with dairy or soy milk. Tea is available as well.

Please make sure to mention any dietary requirements when you book your adventure and we will try to accommodate whenever possible.

What kind of transportation is provided?

Transportation, when selected, will be in an SUV or minivan, full size passenger van or 16 passenger bus depending on the group size.

Is transportation available from Lake Louise?

Transportation from Lake Louise only available on private tours. Find out more here.

What's the difference with the other ice bubble tours?

This tour includes a 60 to 90 minutes ice walk at of the best spots in the Abraham Lake area combined with a snowshoe or winter hike into the Cline River Canyon.

The Crescent Falls + Ice Bubbles tour includes similar afternoon ice walk on Abraham Lake but with a less strenuous morning walk.

The half day Ice Bubbles tour includes a similar ice walk to the afternoon portion of this tour.

The Siffleur Falls Winter Hike is a great option for those looking for a more active adventure while still getting a chance to see the bubbles on a shorter ice walk.

What's the group size?

The standard group size is 1 guide with up to 12 guests for this tour. Contact us if you are planning for a group of 13 or more guests.

This tour is recommended for those 8 or older.

What are the terms and conditions?

Advance Booking

This tour requires bookings to be made at least 2 days prior to departure. Please contact us at (403) 986-6190 for a last minute booking.

Cancellation Policy

All bookings are non-refundable but we will offer you a credit for a future adventure if you cancel a minimum of 72 hours prior to departure.

Waiver

Waivers are required for all participants.You can review the waiver here.

Please review our complete terms & conditions prior to booking.

Book Now

Select your upcoming Showcase Adventure to reserve your spot.

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A Few More Things To Know

We get to play outside on our tours and that means you’ll want to come prepared for the weather. Make sure to dress in layers and come prepared for the unpredictable weather we often get in Alberta. We rarely cancel tours due to weather, as long as we can have a safe adventure. You’ll be amazed at how warm we get snowshoeing at -20C or how much fun hiking in the rain can be!

Need help with your booking or have a few more questions? Stop by our Basecamp + Cafe or give us a call at 403 986-6190.

Share This Adventure With Your Guests

This adventure is available for your guests. They can find out more about our winter tours and book directly at pursuitadventures.ca.

We offer net rates on this adventure for our partners in Central Alberta through the our Explore Central Alberta brand. Find out more about how we can work together at explorecentralalberta.ca/working-together.