Nov-Apr
Season
8:30am, 1:30pm
Departure Time
4 Hours
Duration
8+
Age
Active
Activity
Water cascades into this narrow canyon in the heat of summer, but in the winter, the thundering falls freeze solid to create natural ice sculptures.
Admire these glittering curtains of ice up close as you hike along a steel catwalk built into the rock wall.
This popular ice walk will lead you past the lower falls and to the breathtaking upper icefalls. Travel through prime wildlife habitat and learn the clues to how Johnston Canyon was formed.
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Gina's Pick
"It’s amazing in the morning when no one else is there." - Gina , Hiking Guide, Discover Banff Tours
The best parts of the tour for most people include the following:
1
Bow Valley Parkway
Travel through prime wildlife habitat on the way to the trailhead.
2
Catwalks
Walk along the steel catwalks built into the canyon walls (rather than walking on ice as it is fragile and dangerous), which allows a spectacular view down the canyon walls to the ice and river below.
3
Lower Falls
Walk through a natural cave feature for a unique view of the lower falls.
4
Rockies' geology
The rock is ancient, the creek is old, and the canyon you are walking in is young. Sort out the mystery on your tour.
5
Upper Falls
Gigantic pillars of ice are the highlight of the tour and ice climbers can often be seen scaling the frozen columns. When we arrive at the upper falls, there will be a small refreshment break so you can enjoy the scenery and take photos.
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| Walking Distance |
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| Elevation Gain |
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Gina's Pick
"It’s amazing in the morning when no one else is there." - Gina , Hiking Guide, Discover Banff Tours
The tour is 4 hours long which includes 2 – 2.5 hours for the icewalk. The 8:30am tour returns to Banff at 12:30pm, and the 1:30pm tour returns to Banff at 5:30pm.
This half day tour includes transport to popular Johnston Canyon for a guided hike to see the frozen waterfalls. Guests will hike along snow and the steel walkways called ‘catwalks’ built into the canyon walls that give an airy view of the gorge below, and past the lower falls and to the breathtaking upper falls.
We provide ice cleats that will be attached to your boots that will prevent you from slipping on the ice. We have hiking poles if you would like to use them as well, and we can also provide winter boots if requested at the time of booking.
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.
This tour does not walk on the ice (as it is fragile, dangerous and you can punch through to the icy flowing water). You will be following the steel catwalks that are built into the canyon wall and allow a spectacular view down the canyon walls to the ice and river below.
The steel catwalks are above the Canyon, and vary in height from ground level up to about 10m (30 ft).
You will be outside for around two hours and so we suggest warm clothes arm, including hats, gloves and warm boots. Ski gear (such as ski pants and jacket) is recommended. Wearing other sorts of clothing such as jeans will be very cold. For your shoes, we would suggest hiking boots or snow boots.
The day and evening tours are different lengths of time, the day tour is 4 hours long and the evening is 2 and a half hours. The Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk goes to the lower falls and the daytime tour goes to both the upper and lower falls. The Evening Icewalk also includes a headlamp, which you get to keep at the end of the tour.
It does get icy during the winter season which is why we provide ice cleats during the tour to give you extra grip while you are doing your ice walk. We cancel our tour around -30 degrees Celsius or -22 Fahrenheit.
There is a 48 hour cancellation policy, which allows you to change/cancel or refund your booking up to 48 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 |
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| Walking Distance |
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| Elevation Gain |
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Gina's Pick
"It’s amazing in the morning when no one else is there." - Gina , Hiking Guide, Discover Banff Tours
- The minimum age for this tour is 8 years.
- Please note that this tour requires a minimum of 4 participants, please call the day prior to confirm the tour.
| Included |
|
| Walking Distance |
|
| Elevation Gain |
|
Gina's Pick
"It’s amazing in the morning when no one else is there." - Gina , Hiking Guide, Discover Banff Tours
