Abraham Lake Ice Report - January 16, 2026
- canadianrockiesesc
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Conditions on Abraham Lake continue to be dynamic and require heightened awareness. After an extended warm period that significantly compromised the ice - creating widespread open water, drain holes, and weakened sections, especially (but not only) along the shoreline - overnight temperatures are now dropping. As a result, many areas of previously open water have refrozen with roughly one inch of new ice. While this may appear reassuring, this newly formed ice is thin and fragile, and can fail without warning. Fluctuating temperatures expected over the weekend mean conditions will continue to change rapidly, sometimes hour by hour, and we expect holes to weaken or reopen. Extreme caution is crucial around inlets, steep shorelines, and anywhere ice conditions appear recently altered. Solid ice assessment skills are essential, and we highly recommend carrying and knowing how to use ice rescue equipment.
Looking ahead, a cold front next week will hopefully help stabilize conditions, but meaningful improvement will require sustained, very cold temperatures to allow weak areas to thicken and regain strength.
Despite the challenges, the lake surface has been getting nicely polished by relentless winds and the bubbles look great. The shore ice continues to produce unique and dramatic features. If you are going out on the ice, respect, caution, and constant vigilance are required.
As always, for a snapshot of real-time conditions, follow our Instagram and Facebook stories, where we typically share daily updates every day we’re on the lake.
These reports are shared for general awareness only. Always check ice thickness frequently and independently. Ice conditions can vary widely, and seeing other people on the ice does not guarantee it is safe. If you’re unsure about ice assessment, or simply want to find the best bubble spots, we strongly recommend joining one of our Ice Bubble Tours.
