7 Best Winter Photo Spots in the Canadian Rockies

Are you heading to the Canadian Rockies in Winter this year and wanting to come away with some amazing photos? The Rockies are full of incredible scenery and are a photographers paradise so it’s easy enough if you know where to go.

We spent a couple of weeks during Winter looking for the best spots to take photos near Banff, Canmore, Yoho National Park and along the Icefields Parkway. Here are our favourite top 5 Winter photography spots in the Canadian Rockies and if you are looking for more things to do in Winter in Banff, I have a guide for that too.

This post goes over my top tips for preparing to explore the Rockies in the Winter and then lists each of my favourite Winter photo spots. Happy adventuring!

Things to Consider Before Exploring the Canadian Rockies in Winter

Table of Contents

Bring along Micro spikes to stop you from slipping and falling.
If you plan on doing exploring and taking photos at sunrise or sunset, remember to bring along your headlamps. We use ours on every hike we do in the dark.
Be prepared for COLD weather and dress appropriately. Don’t forget to wear warm gloves because taking photos without gloves will make your hands feel like they are going to drop off!
Get a National Parks Pass to display on your vehicle.

Top 5 Photography Locations in the Canadian Rockies

1. Surprise Corner

Couple sitting at Surprise Corner viewpoint in Banff

Surprise Corner is only a 5 minute drive or a 20 minute walk from Banff town centre. Once you have arrived, there is a small parking lot next to a set of stairs leading to a viewpoint. You can take this up to a wooden platform, or choose to go on a bit of a walk down through the forest to reach the view in this photo. If you choose to go this way, please be careful as the drop off is extremely steep and dangerous.

The view at Surprise Corner overlooks the beautiful Fairmont Hotel which people often mistake for a castle.

2. Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park

Emerald Lake Lodge is an absolutely gorgeous place to stay, and it makes for a beautiful photo. It’s about a half an hour drive from Lake Louise and is located in Yoho National Park.

There are two great photography spots, from either side of the bridge pictured. You can also walk all the way around the lake for different views of the lodge.

Girl Standing at Emerald Lake looking out at the lodge in Winter surrounded by snow

3. Two Jack Lake

Two Jack Lake is a place for sunsets and sunrises. These pictures are from a Winter sunset but it’s also one of the top lakes to go paddle boarding in Banff in Summer.

Two Jack Lake is a 15 minute drive from Banff Town Centre and has a parking lot and a toilet. There are also these cute Muskoka chairs which we also took some fun photos on!

girl standing at Two Jack Lake at sunset in Winter

Girl standing at Two Jack Lake in the Winter at sunset

Couple sitting in red chairs at Two Jack LAke in Winter at sunset

4. Three Sisters

photo in Winter of the 3 Sisters in Canmore

The Three Sisters are 3 mountains peaks in Canmore. Photographing them sunrise or sunset is one of the most popular things to do in Canmore in Winter.

There is a parking lot across the main road from the viewpoint. You will then need to walk about 1km to reach the viewpoint. We can highly suggest bring micro spikes if you plan on going in Winter as there is a bit of water around that turns into ice and can be quite slippery.

5. Peyto Lake Lookout

Peyto Lake Lookout is one of the best stops along the Icefields Parkway, about 1 hrs drive from Banff and is around a 2.5km loop. We just wore our hiking boots in the snow but saw a lot of cross country skiers and snowshoers on the trail.

photo of couple hugging to keep warm at the Peyto Lake Viewpoint

6. The Banff Gondola

The Banff Gondola has only recently been added to my Winter photography bucketlist for Banff and now I’m DYING to go. I’ve been in Summer and even after experiencing the crowds, I’ve decided that the Banff Gondola is so worth it!

Are you dreaming of getting magical photos at the top of the gondola?

Book nice and early so that you don’t miss out. The gondola is super popular so tickets sell out fast.

7. Lake Louise

Lake Louise in the Winter turns into a magical winter wonderland!

The lake completely freezes and you can even ice skate on it! It was -15 degrees Celsius here and we were only able to take photos for 5 minutes before running back inside the Fairmont.

My thoughts

The Canadian Rockies are most popular in Summer but there is something extra special seeing them in the Winter. From frozen waterfalls like Wapta Falls, ice skating on Lake Louise and so much more, you are going to have the trip of a lifetime!

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