Canadian Rockies Winter

Feb 2-10, 2025 - 2 Spots Left!!

This 9-Day Canadian Rockies Winter Photo Workshop will transport you to the most awe-inspiring landscapes of ice, snow, frozen waterfalls, rushing rivers, and jagged peaks. Experience the frozen bubbles of Abraham Lake, hike through canyons lined with ice formations, capture mirror-like reflections in the open water, and photograph majestic mountains coated in deep snow. If skies are clear and conditions look good, we'll be on the lookout for the Northern Lights! Workshop includes all lodging and ground transportation.

Tuition

$4650
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Max Group Size

4 Students per Instructor
Max 8 Students

Instructor(s)

Kevin McNeal
Shane McDermott

Physical Intensity

Highlights

Winter is an ideal time to visit the Canadian Rockies. The snow and ice magically transform the landscape, the light angles stay low, and the crowds are gone.
Dates are timed for best chances of seeing ice bubbles on Abraham Lake along with prime winter conditions in the Canadian Rockies.
Photograph everything from frozen waterfalls, secluded canyons, water reflections, to snowy mountain peaks.
Enjoy a small group of 8 participants and 2 professional photography instructors.
If skies are clear, we'll be on the watch for the aurora borealis!
Leave the stressful winter driving to us! All transportation and lodging are included so you can focus on photography.

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Itinerary

Winter conditions in the Canadian Rockies are harsh and unpredictable. Changes to the itinerary may be made based on weather and current conditions to help maximize your photography.

Day 1 (Feb 2): We meet at our hotel near the Calgary International Airport at 7PM for a mandatory orientation session.
Day 2 (Feb 3): After breakfast, we pack our bags and start heading north towards Nordegg. We check into our overnight accommodations and venture out onto the ice of Abraham Lake in search of eye-catching bubbles, cracks, and formations. Conditions are perfect with clouds overhead that light up with fiery hues at sunset.
Day 3 (Feb 4): We are out early for our sunrise shoot on Abraham Lake. This time we go out to a spot which often has the largest ice bubbles and the most pronounced buckling. We then do a short hike over to a frozen waterfall canyon before heading back for a late breakfast and shower. We hold a short image critique and then venture back out on the ice for our sunset shoot. We even stay out into the twilight hours to play around with creative lighting of the ice structures.
Day 4 (Feb 5): It's our final sunrise on Abraham Lake. Once the light gets harsh, we head back to Nordegg, pack up our stuff, and start the incredibly scenic drive up to Jasper. We'll be stopping for lots of photo ops along the way with amazing canyons, mountains, frozen waterfalls, wildlife, and more! Once in Jasper we check in to our hotel and then head out for our sunset shoot.
Day 5 (Feb 6): We have the entire day to explore the vast areas of Jasper National Park. We'll plan our itinerary based on the weather and conditions. But expect a full day of photography!

Canadian Rockies Winter Photo Workshop Abraham Lake Ice Bubbles

Canadian Rockies in Winter Abraham Lake Photo Workshop Lake Louise Banff

Morants Curve Train Canadian Rockies Winter Photo Workshop

Itinerary cont.

Day 6 (Feb 7): We are up well before dawn for our sunrise shoot. After breakfast, we pack our gear and start heading south towards Lake Louise. Again, expect to stop a lot along the way for many photo ops! Once we get settled at Lake Louise, we venture out to one of our favorite views in the Canadian Rockies, hoping for some dramatic light and clouds. And if skies are clear, we'll be on the lookout for the aurora borealis!
Day 7 (Feb 8): For sunrise we make our way to an classic view along the Bow River. It's really cold this morning so we get lots of atmospheric fog as warm light fills the scene. We photograph several spots along the river before heading back to Lake Louise. After lunch we head out to a canyon with incredible ice textures and finish with a sunset shoot near the outflow of a lake. We stay through blue hour to get some moody long exposures. We return to Lake Louise for dinner and then take a few night shots of the ice sculptures talented artists have created on the lake!
Day 8 (Feb 9): This morning we wake up to a snowstorm. So we go up into the trees to shoot snowy abstracts. After breakfast, we check out and start heading in the direction of Banff. We have a couple short hikes planned for today that take us into some absolutely breathtaking areas, including a side canyon with amazing ice structures. More snow is forecasted later in the evening, so we return to the hotel early for a post-processing session to hone our skills.
Day 9 (Feb 10): We are up before dawn for a sunrise shoot with the beautiful mountains in the distance. A little atmospheric fog adds a nice ambient quality to our photos. We check out of our hotel and drive back to the Calgary International Airport. We should arrive no later than 1PM and you can plan your return travel anytime that afternoon.

Pricing - 9 Days

$4650 USD PER PERSON + Tax

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Trip Includes:

Photography guiding and instruction throughout the trip.
Post-processing and image critique sessions.
All ground transportation and park entrance fees during the workshop.
Pre-workshop zoom meeting
At checkout, an 8-night lodging package will be added to your booking. The cost is $850 or $1700 for double or single occupancy respectively.

Trip Does NOT Include:

Flights to/from Calgary.
Meals, beverages, and snacks.
Alcohol
Instructor gratuities

When you register, you will be given the option to pay a 50% deposit or the full workshop fee. If you pay the deposit, the remaining balance will be charged approx. 120 days prior to departure to the credit card we have on file. Please see our full Terms and Conditions.

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Logistics

You will need to arrive prior to 7PM on Feb 2nd for our meeting near the Calgary Airport (exact location given after booking). The workshop will conclude by 1PM on Feb 10th where we'll drop everyone off at the airport. If you don't wish to fly home that evening, you can book another night of hotel in Calgary at your expense.
Due to limited supply, lodging has been pre-paid for our group. During the checkout process, you will add an 8 night lodging package to your booking. The cost for lodging is $850 for double occupancy or $1700 for single occupancy. We will spend 1 night in Calgary, 2 nights in Nordegg, 2 nights in Jasper, 2 nights in Lake Louise, and 1 night in Banff.
Expect 1-2 miles of moderate hiking each day to reach the locations we will photograph. All participants should bring a pair of micro-spikes (see gear list below). We only recommend this workshop to participants that have good balance since the snow, ice, and wind can make simple walks much more difficult.
You will need to be prepared for all types of weather. It can be bitterly cold this time of year. High winds can make walking difficult and will make it feel even colder. Once you sign-up for the workshop, we will give you a comprehensive gear list to ensure you are adequately prepared for these extreme conditions.
We highly recommend travel insurance to cover any non-refundable fees and airline travel you may have in connection with the workshop.
Since we will be traveling together as a group, luggage space is limited. Each participant is limited to one suitcase along with their camera gear.

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Recommended Camera Gear

Sturdy tripod and ballhead
Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera Body.
Wide angle lens in the 16-35mm range. You can utilize an ultra-wide angle lens in the 11-15mm range on this trip. However, this lens is completely optional. Having a fast wide angle lens (i.e. f/2.8 or faster) will help with night photography and aurora borealis.
Mid-range zoom lens in the range of 24-100mm.
Long telephoto lenses will come in handy for landscape compression and wildlife encounters. We recommend a 100-400mm for maximum flexibility.
Circular polarizer filters and ND filters for your wide-angle and mid-range lenses. A 6-stop ND is the most useful one to have.
Extra camera batteries since they will not last very long in the cold.
Memory cards and cleaning supplies.
Cover for your camera/lens to protect against high winds and snow.
Camera backpack you can use while hiking along with a waterproof pack cover.
Laptop if you wish to download the backup your photos.

Personal Gear List

Warm, moisture wicking base layers for both upper and lower body. We recommend heavy-weight base layers for the cold temperatures.
Several warm layers like a down puffy, winter coat, and or fleece jacket.
Waterproof outer shell jacket (helps protect against wind and snow).
Warm winter boots with thick wool socks. We recommend something like Baffin Boots to keep your feet warm.
Waterproof snow pants with cuff that can go over your boots. If your pants do not have a cuff, make sure you get some gaitors to wear.
Warm gloves or mittens along with a pair of glove liners. We like to remove our bulky outer gloves when making camera adjustments and the glove liners will keep your hands from freezing.
Warm hat, buff, and or facemask. These items are essential when the temperature really drops. You will want to protect your face from the wind!
Micro-spikes. Make sure you get the ones with actual spikes on them (no rollers or Yak-Tracks). Here is an example from Amazon: Unigear Micro Spikes.
Sunglasses and sunscreen for sunny days. The light reflecting off the snow can be intense.
Chemical hand/feet warmers can come in handy if you get cold extremities.
Thermos for bringing along your favorite hot beverage.
Headlamp for night photography.

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Ice Waterfall Canadian Rockies Winter Photo Workshop

Abraham Lake Ice Canadian Rockies Winter Photo Workshop

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Kevin McNeal

Photography Instructor

Kevin McNeal is a Washington-State photographer who is passionate about photographing grand landscapes that reflect the most unique places on earth. Capturing moments of magic light and transferring this to print is the ultimate goal. His images hold a combination of perseverance, patience, and dedication to capture landscapes in fresh ways. The stories of how these images are rendered come across in the feelings the images convey. He has traveled all over North America, shooting diverse landscapes and finding remote places with the hope that we can convey to the public that this earth is worth caring for. His award winning images can be seen in galleries and showings across the United States. He was recently invited to the Art Wolfe Art Gallery for the Environmental Photography Invitational. Kevin was the grand winner of the Landscape category for the Natures Best Magazine and was selected for the Smithsonian National Museum of History in Washington D.C.. He is a regular contributor to publications like Outdoor Photographer.

Artist’s Statement

“I believe that the Earth shares secrets with us that only can be discovered by trying to understand our position on this planet. We are never fully intimate with the planet but are given brief moments that make our souls want more. These glimpses of nature’s power are fleeting and never the same twice. I also believe it is important to share with those who want it. The treasures that await us given the patience that is out there. What I try to do is bring some of that magic to my images to share with the rest of the world. Each of my images tells a story that everyone can relate to in some way whether it is success, fear, or challenging oneself to overcome obstacles

View Kevin's Portfolio.

Shane McDermott

Photography Instructor

Artist's Statement: Through all of my wanderings, photography has remained a constant, providing the creative link between my passion for adventure and the outdoors. I will never get enough of that “Wow!” feeling when I see a stunning image rendered on my camera’s LCD and helping guide others to that same experience is the bacon in the beans for me. I am excited to start working with Action Photo Tours. Everything about their instructors, locations, deep research, proficiency and stop-at-nothing vibe shows me that I have found the company where we can all grow and have countless “wow” moments together.

From the inseparable experience of unity, the camera is not something I “look at” the world through it is an opportunity to see something in myself. Photographs are no longer lost extractions of time; they become holographic reflections of the precious whole in every part. I love to guide those passionate about photography and those wanting to celebrate the extraordinary beauty of nature. If you seek a deeper connection with yourself and the astonishing beauty of our planet, I invite you to embark on this journey of creative discovery. I seamlessly weave together the technical and artistic dimensions of photography and help students learn to cultivate a greater level of presence, perception, and perspective. I have endless patience for those who genuinely seek to unlock their unique creative brilliance and transform their passion into pixels.

Photography has been a transformative experience of Self-discovery more than it has been about great image-making. The interior landscapes of my Soul have been the primary territory of my exploration. From a place within, the landscapes and creatures of our great planet have provided amazing opportunities to learn about myself and my connection to the world.