Discover Ice Magic at Lake Louise
A Bear and Bison Inn

Canmore's Best Bed & Breakfast
and Wedding Venue

January 9, 2024

Discover Ice Magic at Lake Louise

Immerse yourself in a winter fairy tale at the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise with the return of the mesmerizing Ice Magic Festival in 2024. As twilight descends, the enchanting Lake Louise becomes a radiant spectacle, illuminated by an array of beautifully lit ice sculptures.

Ice Magic Lake Louise
Travel Alberta / Mike Seehagel

During select weekends in January and February, behold the artistry of world-renowned ice carvers as they meticulously craft their frozen masterpieces for the Ice Magic Competition. Wander through this open-air gallery, where the sculptures shimmer like diamonds under the winter sky, creating an unforgettable experience.

Ticket Information and Outdoor Event Details This year marks a special occasion, as we welcome back top-tier ice carvers for the first time since 2020. Ice Magic 2024 is a ticketed event, offering public viewing from 6 pm to 9 pm each weekend.

Be aware that in case of extreme weather, the event may be altered, with ticket holders being informed of any changes via email.

Ice sculpture during Ice Magic Lake Louise
Travel Alberta / Noel Hendrickson

Event Schedule:

  • January 26 – 27: Watch the carvers in action, shaping their visions for the 2024 Ice Magic Competition.
  • January 28: The Award Ceremony and enjoy a live carving demonstration.
  • February 2 – 4: Admire the completed ice sculptures and experience more live demonstrations.

Tickets: Advance online reservation is required for all tickets, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • General Admission: (Jan 26-28 & Feb 2-4 from 6 pm to 9 pm)
    • Adult: $14
    • Youth (3-12): $7
    • Senior (55+): $9
    • Under 2: Free

Parking & Shuttles: Attendees, including guests from Banff hotels and Lake Louise Ski Resort, must park at the Lake Louise Ski Resort and use a shuttle to the event. Special parking provisions are made only for guests with disabilities. Shuttle reservations are included with your ticket.

Alternatively, from Canmore, the Roam Transit Route 8X is available, with separate ticketing from the Ice Magic event.

Join us for this magical celebration! Immerse yourself in the splendor of ice art, set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Louise, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Pro Tip: While the event itself lasts for a short period, weather permitting, the sculptures remain for the entire winter! Ice Magic can be very popular so if plan seeing the carving in action plan your arrival carefully and book both tickets and a bus in advance.  Otherwise, wait a week or two, book in with us mid-week and experience the magic with a touch of solitude! As much as that can be said of Lake Louise anyways…

Ice Sculpture Lake Louise
Paul Zizka, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism

I relied heavily on reviews while planning for my micro destination wedding so I wanted to leave a detailed review for other brides looking. The Bear & Bison was perfect. Lonny & his team made the planning process stress free. We had a 20 person micro wedding & rented the entire Inn for the weekend (10 bedrooms). The place is exactly the vibe for the Rockies – log cabin style with a view of the mountains. Our guests could not stop talking about the food – they even made accommodations for our 10 year old cousin who loved her pancakes instead of the “adult” breakfasts.
I cannot speak enough about the staff. Brooke, Annette, and Barbara continuously checked on us to ensure we had everything we needed. We didn’t need to bring any decorations as they set up everything perfectly from their inventory. I was so stressed about the rain (it didn’t end up raining) but the girls were fully prepared with options for umbrellas or setting up inside which I cannot thank enough. Everyone loved the bartender Landon – he talked to all the guests and made everyone feel like his family. From our bonfire welcome night, to the wedding day itself, to the goodbye breakfast, the staff made sure every event went perfectly.
This was our dream wedding. I cannot thank the staff enough for making the weekend so special for us. We will definitely be back for an anniversary. A few notes for future brides -ask the staff which rooms don’t have separate showers when planning for elderly or disabled guests -Put bath salts as favors for your guests since all the rooms have beautiful tubs -do the bonfire package plus bar the night before the wedding – it was easier to organize than planning a trip to another bar, plus people can go to bed when they want.
Brina July 28, 2025

Outstanding Micro Destination Wedding

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