When the temperatures drop, the mountain environment transforms and gains new character – one that is especially appealing to me as a photographer. Mountains draped in white, sun bursting through fog on freezing cold mornings, a monochrome landscape... it all adds up to some spectacular photo potential!

Here is just a selection of my favourite images from Banff National Park in wintertime. And if you're looking for the best places to shoot during the winter, I've compiled some of my top locations in my ebook: Paul Zizka's Guide to Photography in the Canadian Rockies (Banff to Lake Louise), which also includes a downloadable checklist of gear for outdoor photography.

Hoar frost at Vermilion Lakes. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Banff's Pedestrian Bridge. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Skating on Lake Minnewanka. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Bow Falls. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Johnson Lake, Banff National Park. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Mt. Ishbel. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.

Ice climbing at Johnston Canyon. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.