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City known for:
  • Abraham Lake Ice Bubbles
  • Uncrowded Trails
  • Mountain Biking

Rugged landscapes, no crowds and endless discovery on the eastern slopes of the Rockies.

Nordegg and David Thompson Country offer a quieter path into some of the province's most spectacular landscapes. This untouched gem is where nearby peaks, turquoise lakes, winding canyons and vast stretches of untamed wilderness invite adventure in every season.

Best known for the world-famous Abraham Lake ice bubbles in winter, the Nordegg area rewards visitors year-round with hiking, ice-climbing, paddling, biking and heli-tours through uncrowded mountain landscapes.

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Nordegg & David Thompson Country highlights

A guide shows visitors the ice bubbles at Abraham Lake with a mountain in the distance.

Abraham Lake’s frozen forms

Famous for its frozen methane ice bubbles in winter, Abraham Lake draws adventurers from around the world. In summer and fall, the lake reveals brilliant turquoise waters framed by rugged mountain scenery.

Guide with couple in canyon.

Untouched trails and guided adventures

Local guides lead hiking, paddling, canyoning and ice-climbing adventures through remote landscapes, while quiet trails here offer space to explore at your own pace.

Woman enjoying helicopter tour

Explore to your heart’s content

Try a heli-tour over Abraham Lake and mountain peaks or heli-hiking to reach stunning summits far from crowds.

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A couple and their guide walk away from a helicopter landed among mountains.
An ice climber is tethered in and making her climb while ice climbing in Nordegg.
A family roasts marshmallows around a campfire at Expanse Cabins.
Three friends explore a frozen canyon at night with headlamps.
A lodge is surrounded by the forest at the edge of a frozen lake with mountains nearby.
A couple ice walking through the canyon with Western Canyoning Adventures in Nordegg.
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View of Abraham Lake and Mount Abraham at sunset

Abraham Lake

Discover turquoise water, mountain views and room to roam at Abraham Lake. In winter, layers of frozen methane bubbles create extraordinary patterns beneath the ice polished clear by gusting winds.

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Taunton Trestle Bridge

The restored Taunton Trestle Bridge provides a fantastically scenic view. Ride an e-bike from town along the tree-lined Rail Trail or drive to the bridge and enjoy a picnic surrounded by nature.

More to do in the area

Crescent Falls

Watch the Bighorn River tumble over a striking double waterfall at Crescent Falls. An easily accessed viewing platform makes this an easy and rewarding stop in all seasons.

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Aerial Panorama shot Aurum lodge With Abraham Lake

Aurum Lodge

Settle into a secluded retreat near the shores of Abraham Lake. Aurum Lodge combines mountain and water views with a comfortable base for hiking, fishing, horseback riding and other outdoor adventures.

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Expanse Cottages

Make yourself at home in one of six cozy cabins on the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies. Expanse Cottages offers equipped kitchens, covered decks and fireplaces or wood-burning stoves.

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Three bungalow accommodations side by side under a blue sky.

Beehive Bungalows

These comfortable cabins offer a relaxing home base for exploring the town and David Thompson Country, with the Beehive Artisans Market nearby for fresh produce, local goods and cabin provisions.

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Miners' Cafe

Save room for pie at this beloved Nordegg café. Miners’ Cafe is known for its homemade food, specialty coffee and famous selection of pies, alongside sandwiches, soups and fresh-baked treats.

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A shelf filled with artisan food products, including jars and packages.

Beehive Artisans Market

Stock up your cabin at this local market. Beehive Artisans Market carries fresh produce, locally produced meats and cheeses, coffee, tea and other Alberta-made goods.

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An artfully plated appetizer.

Golden Peaks Restaurant at Aurum Lodge

Pair mountain scenery with a memorable meal at Golden Peaks Restaurant, located inside Aurum Lodge. The fine-casual menu and views make this a fitting stop after a day outdoors. Be sure to book ahead.

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Stories from the area

A guide and 2 guests look at the Abraham Lake ice bubbles with the Rockies in the distance.
9 min read Ice Bubbles and Beyond: How to Take a Winter Getaway to Nordegg

See Abraham Lake’s famous ice bubbles, hike to frozen waterfalls and learn where to stay on a winter escape to Nordegg, Alberta.

A cyclist bikes across the Blackshale Suspension Bridge with evergreen forests all around and mountains in the near distance.
8 min read 7 Scenic Bike Rides that Show off Alberta at its Best

Find the best bike rides to put on your Alberta itinerary. Find car-free highways in the Rockies to forest trails and family-friendly national park paths.

The two-tiered Crescent Falls cascades into a rocky canyon, framed by evergreen trees and a purple-orange sunset.
6 min read The Top Things to Do in Alberta's David Thompson Country

Discover things to do in Alberta’s David Thompson Country. See Abraham Lake’s ice bubbles, hike to waterfalls and explore more year-round.

A 60-foot charcoal portrait of a relaxed woman stretches across Abraham Lake at sunset with the Canadian Rockies at the shoreline.
10 min read How David Popa Painted Massive Portraits on Alberta’s Wildest Winter Landscapes

Learn how artist David Popa created extremely realistic portraits among Abraham Lake’s ice bubbles and how you can visit this wild part of Alberta, Canada.

Stacks of frozen ice bubbles in blue ice viewed from above.

Did you know?

The famous Abraham Lake ice bubbles form when gas from decaying lake plants rises, freezing in layers. The best time for an ice bubbles tour is late December through February.

Read more and plan your winter Nordegg getaway

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