5 Tips for Winter Photography in Jasper

Jasper National Park is known for its stunning winter season, where guests can journey through scenic snow-covered trails to capture the most amazing photos. From snow-capped peaks to frozen lakes, Jasper provides scenes of a natural winter wonderland. Not only does the park have breathtaking views of nature, but it also sets the stage for once-in-a-lifetime moments like a charming winter wedding or proposal.

Whether you’re a photography lover, someone who is new to the craft or simply looking for a winter photoshoot, these 5 essential tips will help navigate the unique experience of winter photography in Jasper.

Tip #1: Pack for Winter Weather Conditions

A woman in a bright pink jacket and a man in a red jacket walk through some snowy caverns in Jasper National Park while on the Maligne Canyon icewalk tour and pose for winter photography — Pack warm clothes and layers, as winter in Jasper National Park can be cold.

Jasper National Park is known for its phenomenal winter scenes of untouched snow, ice formations and glaciers. To capture the beauty of the winter season, visitors should prepare themselves and their equipment for possible cold weather conditions that may occur when travelling through the park including rain, snow, hail, etc.

Having the right equipment that can withstand weather winter conditions is crucial when it comes to having a safe and enjoyable photography experience. Make sure to pack a durable camera case that can fit into your hiking bag. If you’re capturing photos on your phone, it’s a good idea to pack a weatherproof phone case and portable charger. To keep warm and comfortable during a hike or walk to your photo shoot location, it’s recommended to wear layered clothing.

Layers can include:

Performance wear
Thermal gear
An outer shell jacket
A down jacket
Sweater(s)

Wool socks and hiking boots are also a must-have on your journey. Make sure to protect your skin with gloves, sunglasses, a scarf, hat, or headband.

When travelling in the winter with SunDog Tours, guests don’t have to worry about buying or packing extra hiking equipment. SunDog Tours provides all visitors with warm boots and ice cleats.

Tip #2: Book a Scenic Tour with Helpful Guides

A SunDog Tours guide faces away from the camera wearing a bright green jacket, looking towards some snowcapped mountains in Jasper National Park on a sunny day — SunDog Tours has expert guides to help you with your winter photography of Jasper National Park.

To get the most out of your winter photography trip in Jasper National Park, book a tour with local guides that know the area best. The experienced guides at SunDog Tours are professionally trained to ensure all winter adventures are safe and enjoyable. When it comes to winter in Jasper, the weather can be unpredictable. It’s best to travel with a trusted guide that is trained for the conditions, and any changes in weather. SunDog Tours’ guides are knowledgeable about the Jasper National Park and provide an informational journey through scenic winter trails.

SunDog Tours provides guests with various winter adventures, including the Maligne Canyon Icewalk Tour. As one of Jasper’s most popular winter experiences, this unique tour provides guests with the opportunity to visit the bottom of Maligne Canyon, the deepest accessible canyon in Jasper. Capture spectacular photos while exploring frozen waterfalls, ice caves and miraculous ice formations. Guides on this tour provide guests with the safety they need to travel through ice caves.

Guides will also provide information about:

Jasper’s Maligne Valley
Karst topography
The mystery of the “disappearing” Medicine Lake
The best spots for photographing the park

Tip #3: Avoid Crowds

A group of three people on a Maligne Canyon Icewalk Tour in Jasper National park standing at the bottom of a cave with sunlight pouring through for a dramatic winter photography shot — A small Maligne Canyon Icewalk Tour group, the perfect setting for winter photography.

To capture the full essence of Jasper’s winter wonderland without having to edit people out, it’s best to find places or times where there are fewer visitors around. To avoid taking photos when people aren’t skiing, hiking, touring and embarking on other winter activities, it is often best to take photos in the early morning. Parks Canada states that Jasper is also known to be less busy from Monday through Thursday during the winter season.

Travelling with tour guides is also an easy way to avoid crowds as they are able to navigate to lesser-known places where clear photos can be taken. They can also help to guide members of the tour out of your camera’s shot, and allow people to take turns taking their photos.

Tip #4: Be Prepared for the Journey

A camera on a tripod faces out towards a sunset view to take a photo. — Check your camera’s settings and pack extra batteries and chargers. Photo by Patrick on Unsplash

It’s a good idea to pack snacks and plenty of water for your photography session in case the shoot takes longer than expected. If you’re travelling with a group or tour, food services may be available like SunDog Tours’ Grab & Go Lunch at the Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen.

The worst thing that can happen after a long day of taking photos in the cold is finding out that the camera settings were not correct.

To avoid capturing blurry photos or ones that are too dark or over-exposed, check your camera’s settings. Do this before your photography adventure, and test your camera’s aperture, ISO and shutter speed settings. Be aware of sunlight shining off of bright snow, or large expanses of snowscapes, as this can result in an overexposed shot. Lighting is also generally more flattering in the early morning or in the late afternoon, also called “Golden Hour”. You’ll also want to adjust your camera’s white balance settings so your photos don’t come off too blue and cold. All of these elements are key when capturing great photos.

Transportation to and from your photo session is also important to plan. Ensure that your routes are mapped out in case the phone reception isn’t great, or, if you’re travelling on a tour, look into transportation services that are provided.

Tip #5: Capture Jasper’s Wildlife

A mother moose and her baby stand in a snowy open field that is surrounded by evergreen trees covered in snowy with cloudy pink skies in the background while on a Winter Wildlife Discovery Tour in Jasper — Moose are some of the many animals you’ll be able to photograph while on a Jasper wildlife tour with SunDog Tours.

Jasper National Park is filled with spectacular wildlife that roam around the park during the winter season. Local guides know the best places to see these beautiful animals and can provide an informational learning experience about the history, geology, and ecology of the area. Travelling with a guide when looking to photograph wildlife not only increases the chance of sightings but also provides safety for all guests on the tour.

Wildlife that can be seen on SunDog Tours’ Winter Wildlife Discovery Tour include:

Elk
Deer
Sheep
Goats
Coyote
Wolves
Moose
And more

This tour takes visitors on a journey through the picturesque Athabasca Valley, providing amazing photography opportunities in some of Jasper’s most stunning scenery. As the Winter Wildlife Discovery Tour is suitable for all ages, it’s a great option for groups travelling with children and who want to photograph Jasper’s wildlife.