Winter in Canada is something to celebrate! Watch the alpine town of Lake Louise come alive during the 12-day Ice Magic ice carving exhibition. Walk through a winter wonderland and explore ice castles, ice bars, and ice carvings. From the International Ice Carving Competition, to the One Hour, One Carver, One Block speed event, there's lots to see and do in Lake Louise this January.
The best way to experience Ice Magic is to stay in Lake Louise. Tickets are included with an overnight stay at the following accommodations:
- Baker Creek Mountain Resorts
- Castle Mountain Chalets
- Deer Lodge
- Emerald Lake Lodge
- Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
- Lake Louise Inn
- Mountaineer Lodge
- Storm Mountain Lodge
2020 Ice Magic Winners
Winners of the 2020 Ice Magic International Ice Carving Competition.
Congratulations to all of our competitors and winners in the 2020 Ice Magic International Ice Carving Competition. 10 teams from Canada, Latvia, Russia, the Philippines, Japan, the U.K., Hong Kong, and the U.S participated in the competition. It was a truly remarkable experience watching their craftsmanship and mastery. Make sure you mark your calendars for SnowDays 2021 happening from January 20-31.
1st Place
Legend of the sun catcher - Team Sahka (Russia)
2nd Place
Fossil Discovery - Team Japan (Japan)
3rd Place
The Griffin of Lake Louise - Team Jupiter (USA)
People's Choice
Frozeidon: God of the Lake - Team Great Britain (Great Britain)
Best Times to Visit
Ice Magic only comes around once a year, and with such a well-loved event you'll want to make sure you know all of the insider tips to plan your trip.
The Mid-Week Advantage
Visit the finished sculptures mid-week for free and create fond memories of Lake Louise with no crowds, ample parking, and better photo opportunities.
Explore the Sculptures After Dark
Catch a glimpse of the sculptures under the light of the night sky. The best photos are taken at night when the sculptures are lit up and the mountain peaks create faint silhouettes in the background.
The Perfect Winter Day Trip
Arrive early at Lake Louise and experience the ice carvings at sunrise, then make your way to Banff to view massive snow sculptures right downtown as part of SnowDays.
The Perfect Day at Ice Magic
Ice Magic is an amazing time to embrace the wonders of winter. See what a perfect day exploring the spectacular setting of Lake Louise looks like.
Visit Ice Magic early in the morning before the crowds show up, then use the rest of the day to play in the outdoors. Pick up a lift ticket from the Lake Louise Ski Resort and hit the slopes or simply view the breathtaking landscape from the top of the Gondola. Explore the Lake Louise area on a guided snowshoe tour with Great Divide Nature Interpretation, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, or the Lake Louise Ski Resort. Enjoy the groomed cross-country ski trails near Baker Creek Mountain Resort. Or race your friends down the tubing runs at the Lake Louise Ski Resort Sunny Tube Park.
