Lake Louise Ice Sculptures: Ice Magic 2027 Guide

If you’re visiting Lake Louise during the winter, seeing the incredible ice sculptures during the Ice Magic Festival is well worth adding to your plans. Ice Magic is part of the annual Banff SnowDays celebration, and in 2027 the Lake Louise ice sculptures will be on display from February 3 to 7.

There is one big change for 2027 that you should know about. Ice Magic at Lake Louise is no longer an ice carving competition. Instead, it is an exhibition of finished ice sculptures on the grounds of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

As Canmore locals, we’ve been visiting the Lake Louise Ice Magic Festival for years, including many years when we could watch the ice carvers at work before returning to see the finished sculptures. While the format has changed, we still think seeing these detailed ice sculptures surrounded by the mountains is one of the most fun things to do in Lake Louise in winter.

The other big change is how you visit. You can no longer simply arrive at Lake Louise during Ice Magic and walk over to see the sculptures. Access is limited to guests staying at participating accommodations and eligible local residents, and all visitors with Ice Magic tickets must use the provided shuttle.

Below, we’ll explain exactly how Ice Magic works in 2027, when to visit, who can get tickets and what you need to know to see the Lake Louise ice sculptures.

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How Ice Magic at Lake Louise Works in 2027

For many years, Ice Magic was an international ice carving competition at Lake Louise. Visitors could watch teams of ice carvers turn huge blocks of ice into elaborate sculptures over several days, followed by the judging and the chance to see all the finished pieces.

That is no longer how Ice Magic works at Lake Louise. In 2027, Ice Magic will be an ice sculpture exhibition, with the completed sculptures on display on the grounds of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

If you were hoping to watch the ice carving itself, you can still do that during SnowDays. The live competition is now a separate event in Banff. The Art of Ice: Carving Competition takes place on Bear Street from February 5 to 7, 2027, and is free to attend.

So, if you want to see the finished Lake Louise ice sculptures with the mountain backdrop, plan to visit Ice Magic. If watching the carvers at work is more important to you, add the Art of Ice competition in Banff to your itinerary as well.

2027 Ice Magic Festival Dates at Lake Louise

The 2027 Ice Magic Festival at Lake Louise runs from February 3 to 7, 2027. It takes place near the end of SnowDays, which runs from January 21 to February 7.

This is an important distinction if you are visiting Banff in January. There will be other SnowDays activities happening in Banff throughout the festival, but the Ice Magic exhibition at Lake Louise does not begin until February 3.

If you’re planning to visit Banff in February, Ice Magic is one of the winter events you may be able to include in your trip, especially if you’ll be staying at one of the participating accommodations.

How to See the Lake Louise Ice Sculptures in 2027

This is the part you’ll want to understand before booking your trip. There are no general admission tickets for Ice Magic at Lake Louise in 2027.

For most visitors, the way to see the Ice Magic sculptures is to stay at one of the participating accommodations, which we list in the following section. Guests at these hotels can get complimentary Ice Magic tickets for February 3 to 7, with tickets available through participating accommodations beginning October 26, 2026.

There is also access for locals. Residents of communities from Mînî Thnî to Field can get complimentary tickets for February 2 and February 7, 2027. Proof of residency is required, and local tickets are expected to become available in late December.

You also need to use the Ice Magic shuttle. There is no parking available at the event site, and all ticket holders are required to arrive on the provided transportation. Guests staying at participating accommodations receive complimentary shuttle transportation from their hotel, while local tickets include transportation from either the Banff Train Station or Samson Mall in Lake Louise Village.

The tickets and shuttles are complimentary for eligible visitors, but I wouldn’t consider Ice Magic a general free Banff activity anymore because you need to qualify for access. If you’re looking for winter activities that anyone can enjoy without an Ice Magic ticket, have a look at our list of the best free things to do in Banff.

Participating Hotels for Lake Louise Ice Magic 2027

For 2027, Ice Magic tickets are available to guests staying at participating accommodations. These hotels provide eligible guests with complimentary tickets to see the Lake Louise ice sculptures, along with the required shuttle transportation to the event.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is the most convenient option for Ice Magic, with a location directly on the shores of Lake Louise beside the ice sculptures. It’s best for travellers looking for a luxury stay, easy access to winter activities at the lake and the convenience of being right at Lake Louise.

For more information on this iconic hotel, read our review of the Chateau Lake Louise.

Lake Louise Inn

Although we occasionally splurge for a stay at the Fairmont, the Lake Louise Inn is the hotel we typically stay at. It’s located in Lake Louise Village and offers everything from standard hotel rooms to larger condos and suites with kitchens, along with an indoor pool, hot tubs and several restaurants. We choose the Lake Louise Inn for its combination of family-friendly accommodations and more reasonable pricing.

Paradise Lodge & Bungalows

Paradise Lodge & Bungalows is located along Lake Louise Drive between the village and the lakeshore, with spacious lodge suites available for winter stays. It’s a great option if you want a smaller, locally run property that feels more personal while still keeping you very close to Lake Louise.

Baker Creek By Basecamp

Baker Creek by Basecamp is a quiet cabin-style property along the Bow Valley Parkway, about halfway between Banff and Lake Louise. It’s best for couples or families who want a more peaceful mountain stay, especially if having a kitchenette and a little more space appeals to you. It’s also one of the rare hotels in Lake Louise with a private hot tub.

Mountaineer Lodge

Mountaineer Lodge is another practical option in Lake Louise Village, with recently renovated rooms, family rooms and suites, plus an indoor hot tub and steam room. It’s best for travellers who want a comfortable, straightforward hotel close to the shops and services in the village.

Emerald Lake Lodge

Emerald Lake Lodge is a historic lodge on the shores of Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, with cabin-style accommodations, wood-burning fireplaces and no televisions or Wi-Fi in the guest rooms. It’s best for travellers who want a quieter, more remote mountain experience and don’t mind staying outside Lake Louise itself.

Storm Mountain Lodge & Cabins

Storm Mountain Lodge offers historic private log cabins with wood-burning fireplaces in a quieter location between Banff and Lake Louise. It’s best for couples or families who want a more rustic mountain getaway and are comfortable trading conveniences like TVs and Wi-Fi for a secluded cabin experience.

Best Time to See the Lake Louise Ice Sculptures

If seeing the Ice Magic sculptures is important to you, we recommend planning your visit during the official event rather than counting on seeing them afterwards.

In past years, the ice sculptures were often left at Lake Louise after Ice Magic ended, and visitors could continue to see them until warmer weather made that impractical. At this point, there is no confirmation that the 2027 sculptures will be available for public viewing after February 7. If you are visiting Lake Louise after the event is over, it’s worth looking to see if they are still on display, but don not plan your trip around it.

We’ve also enjoyed seeing the Lake Louise ice sculptures later in the day when lighting adds more detail to the carvings, but the 2027 Ice Magic hours have not yet been announced. Once the schedule is confirmed, we’ll update this section with our recommendations on the best time of day to visit.

Finally, remember that Ice Magic is an outdoor winter event built entirely around ice. As a general rule, it’s best to see the Lake Louise ice sculptures shortly after they are completed and before it snows. The crystal clear ice sculptures are more impressive if they do not have a layer of snow on them.

Lake Louise Ice Castle

The Lake Louise ice castle is separate from the Ice Magic Festival, but it is another fun winter feature you may see during your visit. Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise typically builds the ice castle beside the skating rink on Lake Louise, creating a great backdrop for photos and skating. If you’re visiting in winter, it’s worth checking whether the ice castle is open, as its timing and condition depend on the weather.

What to Wear for the Ice Sculptures in Lake Louise

When planning a trip to see the ice sculptures in Lake Louise the most important thing to bring is warm clothes! Layers, warm boots, warm mitts and a toque will be key to enjoying your time at Lake Louise.

Hand and foot warmers are the best for keeping those fingers and toes toasty warm. We also recommend bringing skates, snowshoes or cross-country skis and making a full day out of it.

The key to staying comfortable outside in Banff is having the right layers. Our Banff packing list for winter covers warm layers, winter boots, traction and the other essentials we use throughout the season.

What to Bring for the Ice Sculptures in Lake Louise

If you have any concerns about walking on snowy or icy pathways, you may wish to consider wearing some winter traction devices, such as microspikes.

Of course, you’ll also want to remember your camera and a tripod for taking pictures of these impressive ice sculptures (the tripod will be a must for those night pictures!). We guarantee you’ll want to preserve the memory of these intricately carved ice masterpieces.

Don’t forget to stop at the Lake Louise ice castle for some pictures as well. The Lake Louise ice castle is put together by the team at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

How to Get to Lake Louise for Ice Magic

The easiest way to get to Lake Louise in the winter is to drive, but you can expect the parking lots to fill up quickly especially on weekends. In addition to driving, there are several alternative ways of getting to Lake Louise:

Getting to Lake Louise from Banff in the winter without a car is best done using the Roam Transit Route 8X: Lake Louise Express. The cost for the Roam bus to Lake Louise from Banff is $25 for adults, $12.50 for youth and seniors, and children 0-12 years old are free (these are round-trip prices). You can even make reservations.

Getting to Lake Louise from Calgary in the winter without a car is best done using Brewster Express services. For more information, please visit our Calgary Airport shuttles post.

Other Things to do at Lake Louise in Winter

Seeing the Lake Louise ice sculptures will be a highlight of your visit, but you should check out the other things to do at Lake Louise in the winter.

Some of our favourites winter activities are snowshoeing at Lake Louise, cross-country skiing, winter hiking or skating on a Banff lake.

While many of the things to do at Lake Louise happen away from the lake, here are 9 things you can do at Lake Louise in winter without getting back in your car:

1. Skating on Lake Louise
2. Walk the lakeshore trail to see the frozen Louise Falls
3. Afternoon tea at the Fairview Bar and Restaurant
4. Cross-country ski on Lake Louise
5. Take a snowshoe or winter hike up to Fairview Lookout
6. Tobogganing on the hill near the Lake Agnes trail
7. Enjoy a horse drawn sleigh ride
8. Make a post-skating appointment for the spa at the Fairmont Lake Louise
9. Cozy up to the ice bar with a hot chocolate

Images of Past Lake Louise Ice Sculptures

Here are some of our favourite ice sculptures from past years at Lake Louise Ice Magic.