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Banff - Johnston Canyon Ice Walk – Morning and Afternoon

Highlights

One of the most popular attractions in Banff National Park, Johnston Canyon is in winter home to Banff’s most spectacular frozen waterfalls.  This guided hike takes you along steel catwalks built into the canyon walls all the way to the iconic frozen upper falls.  The hike also offers airy views into the icy gorge below.

You will hike through a natural cave to gaze down at the flowering waters of the frozen falls up close.  Continue onto the awe-inducing upper falls – a glittering tower of ice that rises 30 meters above your head. These gigantic pillars of ice are the tour highlight and ice climbers can often be seen scaling the frozen columns.

As your tour coach travels through prime wildlife habitat to reach the canyon, your tour guide will provide you information on how the Johnston Canyon was formed.

Note:

  • Children below 8 are not accepted on this tour.
  • Please note that this tour requires a minimum of 4 participants, please call the day prior to confirm the tour.
  • Operation of this tour is weather dependent.
  • Operation of this tour is subject to the evolving COVID-19 situation.

How to join this tour pickup point:

Pickup is offered from most hotels in Banff.  Clients will be dropped off either in town or at your hotel. Clients must be ready 15 minutes prior to the tour departure time. Tour guide will be there within the 15-minute pick up window.

We offer competitive rates for Private Tours, Car Rental, Hotel and Stay upgrades as well as optional Tours & Attractions:

  • Is your client looking for a Private Tour?  Please let us know. 
  • Would your client like to rent a mid-sized car with an option to upgrade?
  • We provide hotel accommodations in this destination with options to extend the stay, hotel and room upgrades.  Please contact us if you require hotel stay for your client.
  • We also offer a range of Day Tours and Admissions.  Please visit our website at www.dmci.ca for more information.
  • We can customize an itinerary to meet the specific needs of your client.

Please contact our Canada Destination Specialist for information and assistance.

Inclusions

  • Guided hike to see the frozen waterfalls.
  • Pick ups and dropped off from most hotels in Banff is included. 
  • Transport to popular Johnston Canyon.
  • Ice cleats and hiking poles.
  • Hot Chocolate and Maple Cookie snack.
  • Professional Certified Guide.
  • Taxes & GST.

Exclusions

  • Travel Insurance - recommended.  We require Travel Agent to secure a signed Waiver in the event client declines your offer to sell Travel Insurance. 

          DMCi will require Travel Agent to provide us the signed waiver when required as a part of the Terms                 & Conditions of Contract. 

          DMCi sells Manulife Travel Insurance.  Please check with us for rates.  

  • Bottled Water.
  • Gratuities on tours & cruises. 

Accommodations Featured

Please contact our Canada Destination Specialist for information and assistance.

Tariffs

Room Configuration Beds Occupancy
TWIN or
SINGLE or
TRIPLE
QUAD
TWIN + 1 YOUTH + 1 CHILD
TWIN + 2 CHILD

For more information on Rooming and how rates apply, please refer to Important Notes

Optional Tour

These optional tours can be booked with our package. Please contact our Canada Destination Specialist for rates.

Notes about this Tour

  • The tour is 4 hours long which includes 2 to 2 ½ hours for the ice walk. The 8:30 am tour returns to Banff at 12:30 pm, and the 1:30 pm tour returns to Banff at 5:30 pm.
  • 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 trail and 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).
  • The Ice walk is 5.4km (3.4 miles) and has an elevation of 135 meters (443 feet), with a total walking time of 2 – 2.5 hours. This ice walk is considered moderate/intermediate, and it is the most difficult winter walk that we offer in the winter. We aim to go at a relaxed pace however you do need to feel comfortable walking 3km /1.75 miles per hour to enjoy the experience. The main elevation gain is done in 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.
  • Ice cleats are provided that can be attached to your boots.  This 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.
  • What is the difference between Day and Evening Tour?  The day and evening tours are different lengths of time, distance and elevation. The day tour is a 4 hour tour that includes both the lower and upper falls with 2 to 2 ½ hours of walking and is a little more strenuous due to the increased distance (5.4km) and elevation gain of 135 meters (443 feet).
  • The Johnston Canyon Evening Ice walk is a 2 ½ hour tour that visits the lower falls with 1 ½ to 2 hours of walking 2.2 km with an elevation gain of 65 meters (213 feet) and includes a souvenir headlamp (yours to keep after the tour!) to light your way under the stars.
  • Difference between Johnston Canyon and Grotto Canyon - Johnston Canyon is one of the most popular attractions in Banff National Park, and has a network of steel catwalks built into the canyon walls that allows you to walk right along the frozen waterfalls (rather than directly on the ice). There are two Johnston Canyon Icewalk options, the daytime icewalk is a 4 hour tour that includes both the lower and upper falls with 2 to 2 ½ hours of walking and is a little more strenuous due to the increased distance (5.4km) and elevation gain of 135 metres (443 feet). The evening icewalk is a 2 ½ hour tour that visits the lower falls with 1 ½  to 2 hours of walking 2.2 km with an elevation gain of 65 meters (213 feet) and includes a souvenir headlamp to light your way under the stars. On both Johnston Canyon Icewalks the walk is mainly up above the creek bed on a series of trails and catwalks.
  • The Grotto Canyon Icewalk allows you to walk directly on a frozen creek bed at the bottom of Grotto Canyon past unusual rock formations, ancient Native rock art, and icefalls. The icewalk is 4.2km (2.6 miles) and has an elevation of 100 meters (328 feet), with a total walking time 2 to 2 ½ hours. This icewalk is generally considered easy, with a few small inclines.
  • Please visit this link to find “What you should wear?”.
  • Does it get Icy?  Can the tour be cancelled if the weather turns too cold?  - It does get icy during the winter season which is why ice cleats are provided during the tour to give you extra grip while you are doing your icewalk.  The tour is cancelled at around -30 degrees Celsius or -22 Fahrenheit.  In such circumstances we will offer to reschedule or refund your tour if this occurred.
  • Guides expect to be tipped.

Operation Info

YearOperating DatesDeparturesNotesTour Code
202103 January to 18 April
Morning Tour – 8:30 AM
Daily Departures
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202103 January to 18 April 
Afternoon Tour – 1:30 PM
Daily Departures
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Note:

  • Children below 8 are not accepted on this tour.
  • Please note that this tour requires a minimum of 4 participants, please call the day prior to confirm the tour.
  • Operation of this tour is subject to the evolving COVID-19 situation. 

Dress Code

What you should wear & carry

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

To ensure that you enjoy the tour, please wear/bring:

  • 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, please contact our Reservations Team and we will check our stock levels or recommend a rental store such as Snowtips-Bactrax.
  • A water bottle.

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