Ice Bubbles and Beyond: How to Take a Winter Getaway to Nordegg

This part of Canada is unlike any other. Nordegg is a tiny former coal town of about 200 people in Alberta’s untamed David Thompson Country. Though it’s still off the radar for most travellers, Nordegg is quietly becoming a year-round hub for travellers who prefer wild spaces and being surrounded by more nature than humans.

“It's the gateway to a major wild wilderness area,” says Brett Pawlyk, co-owner and head guide at Canadian Rockies Escapes. “I kind of call it an Alaska-size wilderness in our backyard, only three hours away from Calgary and Edmonton.”

Nordegg is unpretentious and welcoming, with cozy places to stay and just a few special and locally loved spots to eat. Winter slows things down here and opens the door to an increasingly famous frozen lake, picturesque canyons and excellent stargazing. This is a place for people who want room to roam and a base for adventure.

“There’s a sense of freedom here,” Pawlyk says.

What causes the Abraham Lake ice bubbles?

In winter, Nordegg is best known for Abraham Lake and its ice bubbles. Alberta’s Abraham Lake is one of only two places on the planet where methane ice bubbles form in such dramatic abundance. (The other is Lake Baikal in Russia.)

Pawlyk and his guides visit the lake almost daily, assessing the conditions and finding the most fascinating aspects of the lake to bring visitors to. Pawlyk is deeply familiar with how changing conditions affect the lake in winter and what causes its signature bubbles.

There are a few special factors that have all come together here to bring us these fascinating ice formations, Pawlyk says.

In short, the reasons Abraham Lake is home to these dazzling ice bubbles are:

• Shifting lake levels: Abraham Lake is part of a reservoir system, and water levels are at their lowest in spring, before the snow and glacier melt have refilled it. In spring, the lake bottom is exposed and plants can grow. 
• Decomposing plant matter: As the water levels rise through the summer, the plants die off and start to decompose. This releases methane gas into the lake.
• Trapped methane bubbles: Once the lake’s surface begins to freeze in winter, methane rising from the lakebed becomes trapped and frozen in place. As the ice thickens, additional bubbles continue to rise and are captured beneath the surface, forming layered stacks of bubbles of varying sizes suspended in the ice
• Minimal snow: Weather systems travel eastward over the Canadian Rockies, dropping what’s left of their precipitation on the Columbia Icefields’ glaciers. This means there’s far less snow on Abraham Lake compared to its westerly cousins like Lake Louise or Peyto Lake.
• Wind gusts: And when there is snowfall, it’s typically cleared from the surface within days by windy conditions. And the action of snow blowing off the surface works to polish the lake’s surface, leaving a clear portal to view the bubbles below.

“It has the perfect ingredients to create an Instagram-worthy place. The shots are incredible,” Pawlyk says. However, he notes that the lake’s surface can change day to day, and you may not see precisely what you saw on Instagram.

“Pictures can only tell so much, so come with an open mind to experience everything else that the area has to offer,” he says. “It's like a sunset. You'll never see the same sunset again. But there's always something beautiful that's there."

The best things to do in winter in Nordegg

Tour the Ice Bubbles on Abraham Lake with Canadian Rockies Escapes

Swarms of frozen bubbles beneath crystal clear ice have made Abraham Lake Instagram-famous. And as spectacular as those images are, the full experience of being on the lake is more than can be captured in a single image, says Pawlyk.

“Because you can't feel the power of the wind, you can't feel the stillness of a snowstorm,” says Pawlyk, “or the heat of a Chinook and how it affects the ice and how it changes how the ice looks. And you can't feel the scope and size of the area and the vastness of it.”

Booking a guided tour of Abraham Lake with Canadian Rockies Escapes gives you the best chance to safely see the bubbles, fractures and other ephemeral features of the lake in winter.

Go ice climbing with Girth Hitch Guiding

Nordegg is one of Alberta’s hotspots for ice climbing. Girth Hitch Guiding helps both newcomers and seasoned climbers experience frozen canyon walls and blue‑ice formations. 

Their certified guides tailor the day to your skill level and comfort, making for a memorable adventure in the heart of winter, even if you’re an absolute beginner.

Explore frozen waterfalls and Cline River Canyon with local guides

If you’re in Nordegg in winter, you need to see frozen waterfalls. Canadian Rockies Escapes can lead you on a hike or snowshoe into the Cline River Canyon and Icefalls. Or you can choose from hikes to other stunning frozen falls among their offerings and pair it with a guided visit to the ice bubbles on Abraham Lake.

They can tailor your experience to your fitness level and comfort on uneven terrain. While this canyon is accessible without a guide, it’s easy to get lost in the area and a guided experience is highly recommended for the best hike.

“Going with a guide is not just paying for that time that you're with the guide," says Pawlyk, “What you're actually doing is you're tapping into the years of exploration, experience and education that we have from being out here.”

Try heli‑snowshoeing with Canadian Rockies Escapes and Rockies Heli Canada

Bucket list moment, anyone? A helicopter ride from Rockies Heli Canada carries you into the David Thompson backcountry where deep snow, jagged mountaintops and quiet alpine bowls wait. 

Then, with snowshoes on, Canadian Rockies Escapes will bring you to explore untouched winter terrain far from any road. It’s an exhilarating way to see Alberta and the Canadian Rockies from both the air and the snow.

Eat the locally famous pie at Miners’ Cafe

Miners’ Cafe is a must‑visit stop for its homemade pies. The menu changes through the season, but the flaky crust and generous fillings are a constant. It's a local ritual to spend the day exploring the wilderness and then come back to settle in with some strawberry rhubarb pie and reflect on your adventures.

Shop locally made art at Beehive Artisans Market

For unique handmade art, you absolutely need to visit Beehive Artisans Market. You’ll find pottery, prints, textiles and other gifts by local artists that reflect the landscape and the creative personalities who call the Nordegg area home. It’s a lovely way to bring home something handcrafted by local makers.

Soak in the local culture at Nordegg Lodge’s Pick and Shovel Restaurant

If you want to eat like the locals do, head to the Pick & Shovel restaurant at Nordegg Lodge, where you can get a diner-style meal, pizza or burgers. The space is decorated with photos from the coal mining days, and you’re bound to end up chatting with a friendly Nordegg resident.

Go stargazing and look for northern lights in Nordegg

Nordegg’s dark skies create excellent conditions for watching the stars and, on the right night, the northern lights. While you'll likely see plenty of stars simply by stepping outside your lodgings and looking up at night, there’s a particularly special spot to stargaze: Abraham Lake.

“The Abraham Lake area is really, really good for a dark sky,” says Pawlyk. But he cautions visitors to be extremely cautious near the lake at night, as it’s easy to become disoriented and hazards are hidden in the dark.

The best bet? Book an Ice Bubbles After Dark Tour with Canadian Rockies Escapes to take photos of the bubbles and the night sky with expert guides to keep you safe.

Before you head out, check the Alberta aurora forecast to see if conditions look promising to catch the aurora.

Where to stay in Nordegg

Aurum Lodge

Aurum Lodge sits above the shores of Abraham Lake, offering a peaceful base with some of the region’s best sunrise and sunset views. Guests can settle in for high-end cuisine at Golden Peaks Restaurant, then step outside for dark skies that make stargazing almost effortless. You’ll be close to nature without sacrificing comfort.

Expanse Cottages

Expanse Cottages are hand-built cabins designed to feel both rustic and refined. Each blends natural materials with modern touches plus a full kitchen, and a propane or wood-burning fireplaces, creating a warm retreat for couples, friends or families. It’s a place that encourages you to slow down and savour the quiet after a day chasing frozen waterfalls.

Beehive Bungalows

The charming and modern Beehive Bungalows offer an easygoing home base after a day in the outdoors. With kitchenettes and thoughtful interior touches, the spaces work great for small groups and families looking for comfort and convenience in Nordegg.

How to get to Abraham Lake and Nordegg

The best driving route from Calgary to Nordegg

If you want to see the Abraham Lake ice bubbles and everything else Nordegg has on offer in winter, there are two main routes to consider.

• Calgary to Nordegg via Cowboy Trail: From Calgary, take Highway 1A west and then Highway 22 (Cowboy Trail) north to Rocky Mountain House. Then take Highway 11 west to Nordegg. Pawlyk recommends this route for drivers less familiar with winter driving conditions.
• Calgary to Nordegg via Icefields Parkway: This route intersects with one of the most stunning road trips in the world. However, in winter the Icefields Parkway can sometimes be covered with hard-packed snow and can offer difficult driving conditions, especially for visitors who aren’t used to driving in a Canadian winter. It is occasionally closed due to poor driving conditions. There is no cell service or gas on the Icefields Parkway, so gas up at Lake Louise and download a map to your phone.

Make sure your vehicle has winter tires (and ideally all-wheel drive) and get Canadian winter driving tips from Parks Canada.

Getting to Nordegg from Edmonton

Nordegg is roughly 300 km (187 mi) from Edmonton with a winter driving time of about 3 to 3.5 hours depending on conditions. 

Head south on Highway 2, then turn west toward Rocky Mountain House before following Highway 11 into David Thompson Country. It’s a straightforward year‑round route with services along the way. 

Getting to Nordegg from Jasper

If you’re spending time skiing at Marmot Basin and enjoying the mountain town of Jasper, consider at least a couple of days in Nordegg. Nordegg is 245 km (152 mi) from Jasper and you should plan to take your time on the drive in winter driving conditions.

You’ll follow the Icefields Parkway south from Jasper, then head east at Saskatchewan River Crossing. Plan to stop at Crescent Falls to see the frozen double waterfalls there.