Beneath the Canadian Rockies in Jasper National Park is a deep canyon carved by spectacular waterfalls and rushing water. Marin Canyon, which translates to Wise or wise Canyon in English, is a wonder in the summer, when the water swirls and churns in the canyon’s depths, and the Bridges overhead offer a glimpse into the depths.
But in winter, the running water slowly dries up, and the flowing waterfall stops, practically freezing in place. That’s when the real adventure begins – daily visitors can enter Marin Canyon and walk along the narrow riverbed. The frozen waterfalls line a narrow route 160 feet below the canyon rim between December and March.
Marin Canyon is a sight to behold and a playground for adventure seekers. Rock climbers are drawn to the challenge of scaling the frozen falls. At the same time, everyday travelers are enticed by the opportunity to immerse themselves in a unique experience. An ice hiking tour with SunDog Travel is a perfect way to explore the canyon, offering a chance to walk beneath a frozen waterfall, visit hidden ice caves, and traverse karst terrain. Ice splints for traction are provided, ensuring a safe and thrilling adventure for all.
SunDog Tours also runs ice Tours after dark, focusing less on ice and rock formations and more on the sky above the canyon, which is part of the second-largest dark sky reserve in the world.
Entry to Marlene Canyon is free, but admission to Jasper National Park is required (just over $10 CAD or $8 USD). You can also complete the Marin Canyon ice walk alone without a guide, but due to the dangers of winter and the importance of ice spikes, it is recommended that you book a guide.
Meanwhile, ice climbers heading to Marin Canyon will find a route with a Canadian water ice rating of WI 2-6, meaning climbers should be prepared for anything from 60-degree ice with good protection to nearly 90-degree ice with no breaks and technical requirements. That said, climbing the frozen falls of Marin Canyon is friendly for beginners – if you book a guide. Rockaboo Mountain Adventures in Jasper offers group and private ice climbing Tours in Marlene Canyon from December to March.
For such an extraordinary landscape, Marin Canyon is surprisingly easy to reach. It’s the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park, just 10 minutes north of Jasper. The National Park is considered the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies and is part of the UNESCO Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site.
