The winter months and the cold weather they bring can often equate to a lot of sitting indoors trying to stay warm. Meanwhile snow and ice take a harsh grip of the world outdoors.
These conditions can often be brutal, and let’s be honest a little bit bleak. But sometimes the arrival of winter can result in some awe-inspiring sights, not least incredible “frozen” waterfalls.
The team at BBC Bitesize have thrown on their duffle coats and snowshoes to compile this list of incredibly icy waterfalls, which you can enjoy from the comfort and warmth of the indoors – you can thank us later.
1. Helmcken Falls - Canada
Located in British Columbia, Helmcken Falls lays claim to being Canada’s fourth tallest waterfall. This 141m tall tumbling tower of water is a sight to behold at any time of year, with most visitors entering the Wells Gray Provincial Park in summer to catch a glimpse. But in the winter, it’s truly epic – the jewel in the park’s collection of seven waterfalls.
Most winters, as the water cascades over the edge over the volcanic Murtle Plateau to the canyon below, a huge cone of ice begins to form. Made up of ice spray, this awe-inspiring structure has been seen to reach 60 metres in height, almost half as tall as the waterfall itself. The cone continues to grow as the harsh and cold conditions extend through the winter months.
2. Aldeyjarfoss – Iceland
For out and out beauty, there is perhaps no finer winter scene than Aldeyjayfoss waterfall in the land of ice and fire, Iceland. This stunning waterfall is located over six hours from the capital Reykjavík, in the northern highlands of the country.
Whilst this waterfalls height is perhaps not as impressive as others on this list (it stands at around 20 metres tall) the geology that surrounds the cascade more than makes up for it. Hexagonal columns of basalt encapsulate the waterfall on both sides. This rock, thousands of years old, is often dark in colour so when the snow falls and the ice arrives the contrasting colours create some incredible scenery.
3. Niagara Falls - USA & Canada
No list of incredible ice-laden waterfalls would be complete without a mention of the iconic Niagara Falls on the border between Canda and the USA. It’s estimated that over 700,000 gallons of water per-second flow over the falls here, travelling at speeds of over 25mph.
Does Niagara Falls freeze over?
You could be forgiven for thinking that it does, after all there are often reports and photos online that appear to show the world-famous landmark in a frozen state. But these snowy scenes, caused by the areas perishingly cold winter weather are often ice-filled illusions of a ‘frozen’ falls. Behind the twisty ice formations (formed by frozen mist and spray) water keeps flowing underneath. The team on the USA side of the falls explain that the “kinetic energy created by the flowing water means the water stays fluid”.
But that’s not to say Niagara has never frozen over. It’s reported that in 1848 the falls did truly freeze. But this was in part down to ice blocking the source of the Niagara River, vastly reducing the volume and speed of the water, and creating a frozen cascade for thirty hours. These days a 1.7-mile-long “ice boom” helps to ensure that Niagara’s staggering flowrate remains consistently high, putting paid to any ideas of a frozen falls.
4. The Grey Mare's Tail - Scotland
We couldn’t take a whistlestop tour around the world looking for wintery waterfalls and not consider somewhere closer to home – Dumfries and Galloway to be exact. Here, in the hills of the Southern Uplands, near the historic spa town of Moffat, is the Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall.
The waterfall is one of the country’s highest, with its icy cold water plunging approximately 60 metres into the valley below. However you could be forgiven for being confused about its location, there are several waterfalls with the same name located around the UK – all sharing a likeness to the silky hairs on the hind of a horse.
This beautiful waterfall, which is a great example of a hanging valley, doesn’t ‘freeze-over’ quite as often as some others on our list. However, when it does, experienced ice-climbers have described it as a ‘scary and dangerous’ route – so best leave that to the professionals!
5. Plitvice Lakes National Park - Croatia
We return to Europe for the final entry on this list, to Croatia to be exact. A country perhaps more well known for its blue seas and coastal adventuring, rather than inland icy waterfalls. But come winter Plitvice Lakes National park changes all of that, though we admit it looks gorgeous in the summer too.
The park is a UNESCO world heritage site, full of sixteen lakes that are interconnected by rapids and waterfalls – of which there many. When winter arrives here, it’s a sight to behold. Veliki Slap, which translates as “the great waterfall” might be the biggest draw in terms of sheer size and scale (it’s Croatia’s highest) but the whole park turns into a winter wonderland with ice sculptures a plenty.
This article was published in December 2025
