Abraham Lake has always been one of the few places, easily accessible from either Edmonton or Calgary that I’ve always wanted to visit. The massive man-made lake covers some 50 km². The decaying plant matter in the lake bed releases methane bubbles year round but in the winter – gets caught under the frozen surface and freezes into the ice. This has become quite the phenomenon for photographers.

This was the inspiration for the first University of Alberta Outdoors Club (UAOC) Photographically Minded trip. The two typical semesters in Universities in Canada are Fall and Winter, which would be more accurately stated as Pre Winter and Winter. Typically, there is often a shortage of unique trips to run during the school year – especially in the Winter Semester. The Canadian Rockies Photographic Workshop is aimed at new photographers looking to learn how to use a more advanced camera system on their adventures. The workshop puts an emphasis on pairing new and advanced photographers in a blended lecture/hands-on environment.

A Blend of Education and Exploration

The participants in UAOC trips are usually university-aged individuals, eager for outdoor adventures. The Canadian Rockies in winter provide the perfect backdrop for a workshop like this—challenging but not overly demanding, with short hikes, long days, and constantly changing light that tests even seasoned photographers.

This workshop focused on creating a balance between skill-building and exploration. We paired each new photographer with a more experienced participant to provide mentorship on composition, camera settings, and outdoor photography techniques. The small-group format allowed for personalized attention while encouraging collaboration and shared learning.

You can watch one exchange student’s experience on our trip here.

The Trip Itinerary

Our adventure was based out of the Rampart Creek Hostel, an ideal spot on the Icefields Parkway. With its proximity to major attractions like Bow Lake and Peyto Lake, the hostel served as the perfect launchpad for our photo excursions, offering easy access to some of the Rockies’ most iconic views with just a five-hour drive from Edmonton.

Here’s how the weekend unfolded:

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Friday: Arrival and Orientation

• 17:00: Departed Edmonton (400 km, ~4-hour drive)
• 21:30: Arrived at Rampart Creek Hostel
• 22:30: Camera Controls Made Easy – a brief but essential lecture on exposure, ensuring all participants were familiar with their gear before heading into the field.
• 23:30: Lights out, ready for an early morning.

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Saturday: The Main Event

• 05:45: Early wake-up call for breakfast.
• 06:30: Departed for Abraham Lake (44-minute drive).
• 07:30: Arrived at Abraham Lake, just in time for a stunning sunrise at 08:25. The frozen methane bubbles did not disappoint—each photographer had the chance to capture the unique patterns beneath the ice.
• 09:30: After shooting at Abraham, we ventured to Crescent Falls for a short, half-hour hike. This stop included a compositional lesson over a well-deserved lunch.
• 12:30: Departed for the scenic Bow Lake and Peyto Lake, two stunning locations that offered fresh opportunities to practice landscape photography.
• 17:10: The group experienced a breathtaking sunset at Peyto Lake.
• 19:00: Back at the hostel, we ventured out for a final workshop on astrophotography. The clear, cold skies provided excellent visibility of the stars, making for some incredible nighttime shots.

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Sunday: Wrapping Up

• 08:00: A late start allowed everyone to catch up on rest.
• 11:00: Packed up and cleaned the hostel, preparing for departure.
• 12:00: We capped off the weekend with a visit to Siffleur Falls, one last chance to snap photos of waterfalls and enjoy the tranquility of the Rockies.
• 17:00: With cameras in hand and memory cards full, we returned to Abraham Lake for one last sunset.
• 18:00: Began the drive back to Edmonton, tired but exhilarated by the experience.
• 21:30: Arrived back in Edmonton, full of new skills, new friendships, and countless images.

A Tradition in the Making

Given the overwhelming success of this workshop, we are proud to announce that the UAOC Canadian Rockies Photographic Workshop will be an annual event! This trip is the perfect opportunity for those who love photography and outdoor adventure, with the added benefit of learning from fellow photographers in some of the most picturesque locations in the world.

If you’re interested in joining next year’s trip, feel free to reach out through our contact page, or contact the UAOC directly at outdoors@ualberta.ca.