There's a towering canyon with a new ice walk in Jasper National Park
If you’re looking for a reason to escape to the mountains, a new ice walk in a towering canyon in Jasper National Park is a must-do.
The canyon is nestled off Maligne Lake Road and has not been offered commercially in the past, but was well known by locals despite having very little visitation by the general public.
We were invited on behalf of Daily Hive by Tourism Jasper to check out this magical canyon with snow-dusted trails, and it sure didn’t disappoint.
The ice walk our group did at Pleckaitis Canyon was operated by Sundog Tours, which was given operating permission by Parks Canada in 2024 when it became clear that the Maligne Canyon would not be viable from an operational perspective due to damage to the trail and overhead hazards from the 2024 wildfire.
Paul Hardy, owner and operator of Sundog Tours, added that the relocation to ice walks at the scenic Pleckaitis Canyon was anticipated to last for two to three years, so you’d better check this canyon out while tours are still being offered.
Laine Mitchell/Daily Hive
We visited fresh after a hefty snowfall in the area, and while temperatures were nice and moderate, the canyon was a beautiful winter wonderland to explore.
As you traverse through the canyon, you’ll spot some bolts sprinkling the canyon walls near its entrance, leftovers from climbers and adventurers looking to rappel down its side.
Groups are kept to a smaller size, which is nice, because the deeper you get into the canyon, the tighter it starts to get.
Be sure to look up often, because the views of the sides of the canyon, trees, and sky are gorgeous at each twist and turn.
Laine Mitchell/Daily Hive
If you were curious about the hydrology of the site, like Maligne Canyon further down the road, most of the water flowing through Pleckaitis Canyon originates in Maligne Lake, then into Medicine Lake and then through an underground karst (drainage) system that surfaces in Pleckaitis and Maligne Canyon.
“It’s a safe destination for public visitation. The canyon is a very reasonable distance from the road, the trail is spectacular, it offers a very unique experience, and it is truly an authentic mountain adventure, suitable for a very broad demographic,” Hardy added.
While the canyon is not officially closed to the public, there is no parking lot near its entrance, and with the wild nature of the terrain and access trail, it’s not recommended to go on a self-guided tour. It’s best to trust the pros at Sundog Tours for this experience!
The beginning of the year is also a perfect time to explore the mountain community, with the Jasper in January festival running from Friday, Jan. 16 to Sunday, Feb. 1.
A decades-long tradition, the wintry event invites visitors to embrace the season with outdoor activities, indulging in food experiences, and plenty of music events to groove to, just to name a few things to do.
When you are strolling around the Jasper townsite, be sure to check out the big Jasper sign outside the Jasper Park Information Centre. We love a cute photo opportunity.
Laine Mitchell/Daily Hive
While visiting Jasper, there’s truly no better place to stay than the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (JPL), with gorgeous rustic cabins scattered along the shores of Lac Beauvert, offering up some pretty amazing views.
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Many of the rooms have been recently renovated, with inviting, cozy interiors and a modern update on the footprint of such a classic and historic property.
Laine Mitchell/Daily Hive
To really get you into the Jasper in January spirit, JPL also offers the Glacial Plunge, a guided experience that combines thermal therapy, mindful breathing, local storytelling, and the natural beauty of Lac Beauvert.
The author of this article was hosted by Tourism Jasper