8:30am
Departure Time
3 Hours
Duration
All Ages
Age
Leisurely
Activity
Year Round
Season

Uncover the secrets of a historic mountain haven with a local guide leading the way as you gaze at stunning views and visit Banff’s key landmarks.

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Build a connection to our World Heritage Site as you visit Banff’s landmarks, learn its history and view wildlife in their natural winter habitat.

The tour will include some of the most scenic and historically significant highlights of Banff such as the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Bow Falls, Surprise Corner Lookout, Hoodoos Viewpoint and Lake Minnewanka. Plus, enjoy hot chocolate or fresh water (depending on the time of year) and maple cookies at one of the scenic stops. It’s a complete orientation to Banff and a great tour for seeing wildlife in the morning!

Included
  • Water or Hot Chocolate
  • Maple cookie snack
  • Hotel pick up and drop off
  • Professional certified guide
  • Hands on interpretive tools
  • Small group size (up to 24 guests per guide)
Guide Quote

Rose's Pick

"You’ll connect with the park’s winter beauty." - Rose , Manager of Guiding Operations


4.5
3691+
4.4
219+
4.6
453+

The best parts of the tour for most people include the following:

1

Bow Falls

Water crashes over ancient limestone creating a spectacle of sound and sight.
2

The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

The ‘Castle of the Rockies’ is the railway’s contribution to the building of Canada.
3

Surprise Corner Lookout

See a higher view of Bow Falls and the majestic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.
4

Hoodoos Viewpoint

What is a hoodoo? Understand the lay of the land as you look out over the Bow Valley.
5

Lake Minnewanka

Learn about an underwater village and native history with a pleasant break at Banff National Park’s largest lake.
Included
  • Water or Hot Chocolate
  • Maple cookie snack
  • Hotel pick up and drop off
  • Professional certified guide
  • Hands on interpretive tools
  • Small group size (up to 24 guests per guide)
Guide Quote

Rose's Pick

"You’ll connect with the park’s winter beauty." - Rose , Manager of Guiding Operations


4.5
3691+
4.4
219+
4.6
453+

How long is the tour?

The tour begins at 8:30am and returns around 11:30am, approximately three hours.

The half-day tour includes transportation from most hotels in Banff on a guided bus tour to see some of the local highlights such as the iconic Banff Springs Hotel, Bow Falls and Lake Minnewanka. The tour includes several stops, including a brief break with a maple cookie snack and hot chocolate or fresh water (depending on the time of year), and hands on interpretive tools.

We pick up from most hotels in Banff, and you can select your preferred pick-up location during the booking process. For drop offs, our guide will ask you on the way back where you would like to be dropped off either in town or at your hotel.

You are welcome to meet us at any of our pick up locations in Banff to join the tour, and a popular central downtown meeting point is the public bus parking area behind the Mt Royal Hotel (the hotel address is 138 Banff Avenue).

Most guests choose to self-drive into Banff, although please note that you will need to find parking in Banff that exceeds the duration of the tour. Please refer to the Town of Banff website for general parking information, or the banffparking.ca website for live parking availability. For guests staying in Canmore, you can also use the Roam bus service and disembark at the Banff High School. The closest pick up point to the Banff High School is across the road at the Elk and Avenue Hotel.

Only half your time is spent on the bus, and at every stop you will have the opportunity to get off the bus and stretch your legs. All of the viewpoints are a short walk.

There is a chance of seeing wildlife on the tour and we often spot animals, however we do not guarantee seeing wildlife on any of our tours. Our guides have a lot of knowledge about the animals within the park and can fill you in about them if you see any wildlife or if you have any questions.

There is a 24 hour cancellation policy, which allows you to change/cancel or refund your booking up to 24 hours outside your booked tour (up to 7 days for group bookings).

Tips are not expected, but are certainly appreciated. If you think your guide did a wonderful job and would like to indicate that with a tip, it will be graciously accepted.

Included
  • Water or Hot Chocolate
  • Maple cookie snack
  • Hotel pick up and drop off
  • Professional certified guide
  • Hands on interpretive tools
  • Small group size (up to 24 guests per guide)
Guide Quote

Rose's Pick

"You’ll connect with the park’s winter beauty." - Rose , Manager of Guiding Operations


4.5
3691+
4.4
219+
4.6
453+
  • All children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
  • Photo ID may be required for identity verification.
  • Please note that this tour requires a minimum of 4 participants, please call the day prior to confirm the tour.
Included
  • Water or Hot Chocolate
  • Maple cookie snack
  • Hotel pick up and drop off
  • Professional certified guide
  • Hands on interpretive tools
  • Small group size (up to 24 guests per guide)
Guide Quote

Rose's Pick

"You’ll connect with the park’s winter beauty." - Rose , Manager of Guiding Operations


4.5
3691+
4.4
219+
4.6
453+
Interpretive tools at the Patch on Mount Norquay
Discover Banff and Its Wildlife view from Surprise Corner
See Banff's top sightseeing spots on the morning Discover Banff and Its Wildlife Tour
Sightsee Bow Falls in fall with Discover Banff Tours
Discover Banff and Its Wildlife Photos at Two Jack Lake
Discover Banff and Its Wildlife with Discover Banff Tours
Discover Banff and Its Wildlife with Discover Banff Tours
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Winter from Surprise Corner
See wildlife on a Banff winter tour with Discover Banff Tours
Hoodoos winter viewpoint guided tour with Discover Banff Tours
Hoodoods viewpoint on the winter Discover Banff Tour
Guided tour of the Hoodoos viewpoint with Discover Banff Tours
Hoodoos viewpoint winter photos with Discover Banff Tours

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