A combo package of Banff Winter Walks – Explore a frozen canyon of ice, then stomp through fresh powder on a snowy forest trail.
Included: Johnston Canyon Icewalk® (8:30am-12:30pm)
Johnston Canyon is the best of the winter walks in Banff and one of the most popular attractions in Banff. It has a network of steel catwalks built into the canyon walls that allows you to walk along with this cathedral of ice with airy views into the gorge below. This popular guided morning icewalk will lead you past the lower falls and on to view the breathtaking upper icefalls from the upper deck. You will also travel through prime wildlife habitat to reach the falls and learn the clues to how Johnston Canyon was formed.
Included: Snowshoeing near Banff to the Paint Pots (1:30pm-5:30pm)
This half-day Banff tour is an easy introduction to snowshoeing in neighbouring Kootenay National Park. Snowshoe on an easy trail along the snowy path winding through a forest of pine trees to the Paint Pots, a cultural treasure within the National Park. Along the way, you will hear stories of Banff’s indigenous people, explorers, and fur traders who lived in and traveled through the Rockies. After this crisp winter walk, enjoy a uniquely Canadian treat—hot maple taffy poured into snow to make a sweet frozen dessert. Plus try a crazy carpet slide down the hill while it’s being made – kids and adults love this part of the tour!
Tours in this package can be taken on the same day, but are recommended to be taken on different days.
The best parts of the Johnston Canyon Icewalk® tour for most people include the following:
Bow Valley Parkway
Spectacular Views
Johnston Canyon Lower Falls
Johnston Canyon Upper Falls
The best parts of the Snowshoe Tour to Paint Pots for most people include the following:
The best parts of the tour for most people include the following:
The Hudson's Bay Point Blanket Jacket
Authentic trapping tools
Paint Pots
Crazy carpet slide
Maple Taffy treat
We provide ice cleats that will be attached to your boots that will prevent you from slipping on the ice. We also have hiking poles if you would like to use them for extra stability.
We provide ice cleats that will be attached to your boots that will prevent you from slipping on the ice, and we have hiking poles for extra stability if you would like to use them as well.
To ensure that you enjoy the tour, please wear/bring:
- Photo ID for each adult (18+) for waiver verification.
- Thermals/base layers/long johns.
- Snow pants are recommended for this tour and are mandatory if it is below -16C (3F). Otherwise on warmer days, jeans/regular pants over long johns are okay. Snow pants can be rented from stores in Banff such as Snowtips-Bactrax.
- A warm sweater.
- A warm jacket. Ski jackets can be rented from stores in Banff such as Snowtips-Bactrax.
- A hat and mitts.
- A neck warmer or scarf.
- Sturdy warm shoes, ideally winter boots or hiking boots. They do not have to be waterproof, but they must be warm. No heels, ugg boots, flip flops or sandals. If you do not have warm shoes, we recommend a rental store such as Snowtips-Bactrax.
- A water bottle.
Please note that safety is our first priority. If the guide thinks your attire or footwear isn’t appropriate and compromises your safety on the tour, you may not be able to participate.
The tour includes the use of snowshoes and we have hiking poles for extra stability if you would like to use them.
To ensure that you enjoy the tour, please wear/bring:
- Photo ID for each adult (18+) for waiver verification.
- Thermals/base layers/long johns.
- Snow pants are essential as we will be walking in deep snow. Snow pants can be rented from stores in Banff such as Snowtips-Bactrax.
- A warm shirt or sweater.
- A winter jacket, ideally waterproof. Ski jackets can be rented from stores in Banff such as Snowtips-Bactrax.
- A hat and mitts.
- A neck warmer or scarf.
- Sturdy waterproof boots, ideally ones that go over the ankle as we will be walking in deep snow. Winter boots like Sorel, Baffin etc are great. No trainers, sneakers, vans, ugg boots, or “dressy” boots. If you do not have waterproof boots, we recommend a rental store such as Snowtips-Bactrax.
- A water bottle.
Please note that safety is our first priority. If the guide thinks your attire or footwear isn’t appropriate and compromises your safety on the tour, you may not be able to participate.
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.
- Tours in this package can be taken on the same day, but are recommended to be taken on different days.
- The minimum age for this package is 8 years.
- All children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
- All adults must sign a waiver for each tour, which will be sent through upon booking. A waiver must also be completed by the parent or legal guardian of any child under the age of 18 years.
- The Johnston Canyon Icewalk stays on the trail and does not traverse the ice for safety reasons.
- Photo ID may be required for identity verification.
- By participating in a tour with Discover Banff Tours, guests are acknowledging that they understand that we may take video and photographs of them during their tour. These videos and photographs may be used in promotional materials including, but not limited to, social media.
- Please note that these tours require a minimum of 4 participants, please call the day prior to confirm the tours.