Wild Ice Skating in Alberta
Wild Skating Filming in Alberta: Abraham Lake & Beyond
Take a look at the behind-the-scenes of this commercial for Ffern, a perfume company based in the UK, that Bow Valley Films fully facilitated on the wild ice.
Wild skating is a breathtaking phenomenon — crystal-clear ice, mountain reflections, and frozen methane bubbles create truly cinematic visuals. But for film, TV, and commercial productions, capturing wild skating scenes in the Canadian Rockies — especially at locations like Abraham Lake — comes with unique logistical and safety challenges.
At Bow Valley Films, we specialise in providing full production support, including film fixing, location scouting, and on-the-ground facilitation for wild skating shoots in Alberta.
With deep local knowledge and boots-on-the-ice experience, we can help you navigate everything from access and permits to safety planning and crew logistics.
Why film wild skating in Alberta?
Alberta’s wild skating conditions, particularly at Abraham Lake, have gained international attention. The lake's famous methane bubbles and mirror-like ice surfaces have gone viral on social media and feature heavily in outdoor lifestyle and tourism content. These striking visuals offer a perfect setting for:
Brand campaigns
Commercials
Feature films and TV shows
Documentaries
There’s no better place than the Canadian Rockies for this unique natural spectacle — but filming here requires precision, planning, and a deep understanding of the terrain.
Challenges of Filming Wild Skating
Shooting wild skating scenes isn’t as simple as finding a frozen lake and rolling camera. Here are just a few of the challenges productions face:
1. Ice Safety
Ice conditions can change rapidly depending on temperature and wind. Local knowledge is essential to ensure safety for both crew and talent.
We coordinate ice condition monitoring and safety protocols with experienced guides. Our team will measure and monitor ice thickness, including before your arrival on location, to ensure that everyone who steps onto the ice is safe and secure.
2. Permits & Access
Abraham Lake and surrounding areas are often located on Crown land or within regulated jurisdictions.
We handle permits, access agreements, and liaise with authorities on your behalf.
3. Weather & Timing
Crystal-clear ice is rare and fleeting — typically available for only a few weeks each year at the beginning of the season in October/November. We track freeze-up windows and can help you time your shoot for peak clarity.
Abraham Lake, thanks to its regular windy conditions, has windows of clear ice available throughout the season. For this reason, it is a popular choice amongst photographers and filmmakers for working on wild ice, often until late January and February.
Even so, it can be challenging to time things correctly and ensure that you get the best-of-the-best conditions for the camera. This is where Bow Valley Films can help - by utilising our team of local experts and guides, we can give you the best chance of filming wild skating.
4. Remote Locations
Whilst there are locations with easy access from the road, some wild skating areas are remote and exposed to alpine conditions.
Our team can arrange alpine helicopter transportation, gear logistics, on-ice crew support, and emergency response planning.
5. Finding Skaters for Wild Ice Filming
Finding skaters who are not only comfortable on wild ice but also capable of executing stunning choreography and natural movement is essential for capturing cinematic results.
At Bow Valley Films, we’re connected with some of Canada’s most talented wild ice skaters — from expressive performers to experienced athletes who understand the unique dynamics of frozen lakes. We can help secure your entire on-ice team, including:
Professional wild skaters for dramatic and elegant visuals
Camera operators comfortable shooting while skating
On-ice safety crew and spotters
We ensure that every person on the ice is confident, capable, and aligned with your creative vision — whether you're filming a flowing solo performance at sunrise or a complex choreographed sequence.
Abraham Lake: Alberta’s Premier Wild Skating Destination
Abraham Lake, located along the David Thompson Highway, is world-renowned for its frozen methane bubbles and transparent blue ice. Thanks to consistent winds that keep snow off the surface, this area provides the best conditions for clear skating visuals.
Bow Valley Films has deep experience filming around Abraham Lake and can help you capture its full cinematic potential.
Get in touch today to start planning your wild skating shoot.