Banff Tour & Afternoon Icewalk

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.

The Discover Banff and its wildlife tour begins at 8:30am and returns around 11:30am, approximately three hours.  The Johnston Canyon Icewalk tour is 4 hours long which includes 2 – 2.5 hours for the icewalk. The 1:30pm tour returns to Banff at 5:30pm.

You are welcome to meet us at any of our pick up locations in Banff to join the tours, 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 each tour. 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.

The Icewalk is 5.4km (3.4 miles) and has an elevation of 135 metres (443 feet), with a total walking time of 2 – 2.5 hours. This icewalk is considered easy/moderate but it is the most difficult winter walk that we offer as the main elevation gain is done is short climbs (in some cases steep enough for steps), rather than being dispersed over the entire distance. Moderate fitness is recommended to ensure that you enjoy the tour.

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.

Please be prepared for the mountain weather, it changes quickly and our winter tours run in anything from -27C (-17F) to +10C (+50F). Wind chill can change the temperature dramatically and you will be outside for the majority of your tour.

To ensure that you enjoy the tour, please wear/bring: Thermals/Base layer, Snow pants are recommended for this tour and are mandatory if it is below -16C (3F). A warm jacket, hats, gloves and sturdy warm shoes, ideally winter boots or hiking boots. They do not have to be waterproof, but they must be warm. 

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.