5 Reasons To Visit Ice Magic 2025 in Lake Louise
- Published
- Dec 28, 2023|
- Last Updated
- Oct 22, 2024|
- Events & Festivals

The beauty of Lake Louise in winter is undeniable.
Walk through an alley of snow-covered pines to the edge of the lake. Families skate hand-in-hand, and the view stretches back to the stunning Victoria Glacier, which rises over the lake like a frozen guardian.
Full of remarkable natural ice sculptures, the shore of Lake Louise is also home to the world’s most scenic ice carving competition - Ice Magic, a part of the Banff SnowDays Festival.
This year, you will need to stay at a participating accommodation to see Ice Magic.
Dates: January 29 - February 2, 2025
Times: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Here are 5 reasons you’ll want to visit Ice Magic this year:
1. Celebrate Canada's Most Scenic Ice Festival
The world's best ice carvers have been visiting Lake Louise for over 25 years to create inspiring ice sculptures that get bigger and better each year. From the glistening sculptures to the iconic Lake Louise ice rink, walking through the grounds will make you feel like you’re in a snow globe. Come for the sculptures, stay for the views.

2. Get your Ticket by Staying at a Participating Hotel
This iconic winter event will be exclusively accessible through participating hotels, so booking your stay is the key to securing your complimentary tickets.
Starting November 18 at 10:00 a.m., hotel guests in Banff and Lake Louise can receive a link to book their free tickets directly from their hotel. After booking, just contact your hotel, and they'll provide all the details!
You can reserve up to six tickets at once, but larger groups may need to make additional bookings depending on availability. Don't forget, while you don't need to print your tickets, it's a good idea to download them on your phone before heading out, as cell service at Lake Louise can sometimes be a bit spotty.
3. See Internationally Renowned and Award Winning Artists
At Ice Magic 2025, some of the world’s best ice carvers will gather at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise to transform ice blocks into incredible sculptures. These internationally renowned artists use their skill and creativity to craft frozen masterpieces, each one unique and full of intricate details.
You can watch them in action as they carve live, turning ice into beautiful works of art. From towering figures to delicate designs, these sculptures are a must-see for anyone visiting Banff and Lake Louise during SnowDays.
4. Have a winter adventure
Explore the surrounding slopes, and experience the best of winter by using Lake Louise as a winter adventure base camp. Discover an extensive network of cross-country ski trails, race through the forest on a dogsled, or get in some fresh turns at the Lake Louise Ski Resort.
Bundle up and check out our winter adventure blog for more great ideas.
5. SnowDays in Banff
Ice Magic is a part of the SnowDays Festival, a 16-day celebration of winter in Banff National Park. Visit the Banff townsite for a display of giant snow sculptures throughout downtown Banff. Come out and watch international sculpting teams as they create scenes that celebrate the spirit of Banff National Park. Or, check out the PlayZone - ski-slope-inspired hills for tobogganing and test rentals for wonderous outdoor activities.
Check out everything that SnowDays has to offer.
Plan Your Trip to Banff and Lake Louise
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