Maligne Lake Cruise Season and Hours

The cruise runs from 28 May to 10 October 2027, weather permitting, and is closed the rest of the year because the lake is frozen. Right now, in late October 2026, the boats have stopped for the winter; the 2026 season ran from 27 May to 11 October.

Check 2027 dates for the guided cruise day

Daily hours in 2027

Pursuit’s published 2027 operating hours, checked October 2026. The opening date depends on the ice leaving the lake, so a late spring can move it.

How long it takes

The Classic Cruise is about an hour and a half, including roughly 15 minutes ashore at the Spirit Island viewpoint. The Premium Cruise is about two hours and runs once a day. A guided day from Jasper takes about six hours in total, because the drive along the Maligne Valley is part of it.

The best time to go

• Month. July and August have the longest hours and the most people. September is quieter, the aspens on the valley road turn yellow late in the month, and hours shorten from 7 September. Early June can still have snow low on the peaks and cold mornings on the water.
• Time of day. The first sailings are the calmest bet for reflections; wind often picks up on the lake later in the day. Late-afternoon boats get softer light on the peaks behind the island.
• Booking. Summer departures fill first, so book a July or August date well ahead. The guided tours open their 2027 dates in the calendar now.

Here outside the season?

Between October and late May there are no boats, but the valley is open. Jasper in winter covers what runs: a winter wildlife tour, snowshoeing, the planetarium and the lakeshore trails at Maligne Lake. Maligne Canyon itself is closed for the 2026 season after the wildfire; the canyon page has the icewalk that does run.