At least three major ice invasions were recognized in the Beacon Valley on the basis of varying degrees of soil development. Criteria useful in distinguishing the three soil groups included depth of oxidation, texture, consistency of lower horizons, depth to the frost table and the relative amount of salts. A number of soil properties varied directly with the age of deposits. Younger soils were shallow to ice-cemented permafrost, their salinity was lower, textures coarser and they contained less free iron oxides than did older soils. However, this difference was not so marked between the intermediate and oldest soils of the valley.