Johnston Canyon Icewalk: Experience Natural Ice Sculptures in Banff National Park

Experience the natural beauty of Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park. Walk along steel catwalks to marvel at frozen waterfalls and towering ice sculptures. Don’t miss this popular guided icewalk!

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Johnston Canyon - This popular walk will lead you past the lower falls and to the breathtaking upper icefalls. You’ll hike on steel walkways built into the canyon walls and get an airy view of the canyon below.

What to expect:

ullet Walking Time: 2 - 2.5 hours

ullet Return Distance: 3.4 miles (5.4 kilometers)

ullet Elevation Gain: 443 feet (135 meters)

What's Included
  • Maple cookie snack, hot chocolate
  • Small group size (up to 12 guests per guide)
  • Professional guide
  • Ice cleats
  • Hiking pole
What's Not Included
  • Optional gratuities
Additional Information

Johnston Canyon, a renowned focal point in Banff National Park, offers a fascinating spectacle of natural ice formations in winter when its powerful waterfalls freeze into statuesque structures. Throughout the sun-drenched summer, the confined canyon elegantly channels wafts of water. A system of metal platforms affixed to the canyon’s faces, allows…

Location
Mount Royal Hotel
Banff Avenue
All guests must wait at the public bus parking located behind the Mount Royal Hotel at 138 Banff Ave. You must be ready at the pick up point at least 20 minutes prior to the tour start time.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(422 Ratings)
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Valerie_e
Jan 14, 2025
Chloe was a wonderful... - Chloe was a wonderful guide! She was knowledgeable and kept a good pace. I would recommend this tour. Pick up was convenient for us. We had great weather and no crowds.
Review provided by Viator
Brandon_w
Jan 11, 2025
Highlight of our trip! - Our ice hike at Johnston Canyon was unforgettable, thanks to our amazing guide, Tina! She was knowledgeable, friendly, and kept us safe and confident on the icy trails. Her insights about the canyon and tips for the best photo spots made the experience extra special. Tina’s enthusiasm and attention to detail truly elevated the adventure. Highly recommend her for anyone visiting Banff!
Review provided by Viator
B3677btroxannes
Jan 10, 2025
Awesome activity! - A great hike with beautiful views, easy enough for everyone. Jake was our guide and he was very nice, definitely recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alex_a
Jan 5, 2025
Just wow! - The weather was 2 degrees above cancelation, Jake was rightfully concerned about conditions and adjusted itinerary. Good move for -22! We still did the lower falls and all we're happy. What a place...just WOW! Spectacular! Words can't describe! Jake was awesome! Looked our for everyone (several older) to ensure a grand tour while being safe. He was VERY informative and good sense of humor! What I thought was going to be a bust turned out to be one of our best and most memorable experiences. You'll love it...thanks Jake!
Review provided by Viator
Eddievtc
Jan 2, 2025
Great views and outdoor experience! - We did the Icewalk in late December around noon. The scenery was beautiful with partly frozen streams, frozen waterfalls and lots of snow. We walked to the upper falls, which is about a 3km (a little less than 2 miles) hike each way. With pics stops and everything, it took us around 2 hours. There is a longer hike to Ink Pots but it was twice as long and we didn’t carry anything to hydrate so we decided to skip it. Make sure to get the ice cleats for your boots/shoes. They are a must to avoid slips and they’ll make the walk much easier. Make sure your boots are comfortable. Also, it’s a good workout. I needed to loose a layer on the way up.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Yvonne_n
Dec 31, 2024
Gentle hike.. spectacular winter wonderland - Lovely gentle hike, guide not really needed! But the bus trip and chat were fun! Two guides travelled on the bus, Emma and Tina, great guides
Review provided by Viator
Tim
Dec 29, 2024
Great afternoon activity - Our guide Neal knowledgeable, patient, and had a great sense of humor. The hot chocolate and cookies at the top of the falls was a great touch!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Foodieforallnations
Jan 4, 2025
Guides make the difference - Our guide Jake was fantastic! He made this hike so interesting with all of his historical knowledge, but also lots of stories and jokes. He was a blast and we appreciated his extra effort to make the most of our time. Ask for Jake in your tours and you will be so happy!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Culture03066765216
Jan 1, 2025
Great staff! - Its an amazing and beautiful place! Tour guide Rose was full of great information. I was travelling by myself so was good company to have other fellow travellers but this walk can be easily done without a guide! Being your snow shoes warm clothes and walk it at your own pace! There is a track you can follow! and you can take your time to enjoy a cave we dodnt have access to view cause we didnt have enough time! Overall discovery banff tours offered a great service! Specially Josh at the desk who not only gave me all the information I needed but went over an beyond to explain best ways of getting to the gondola too and where to park! Thanks Josh!! :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Devraw2022
Dec 30, 2024
Not worth it if you can drive yourself - This hike is incredibly beautiful, but there was no value-add in going as a "tour." If you don't have a car to get there, then it could be a good way to get there. Our guide was nice, but it felt like he was in a hurry to get done. The trail was packed with other hikers not on tours, so it wasn't as if this tour was showing us anything we couldn't have seen on our own. And we would have enjoyed going at our own pace more. So, my advice if you have a rental car: rent and bring your own ice cleats and enjoy the walk at your own pace.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 9 guests
1 Adult
January 2025
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