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Snowshoeing Tour to the Paint Pots: A Perfect Introduction to Snowshoeing in Kootenay National Park
4.7
53 Ratings
Radium Hot Springs
Experience the beauty of Kootenay National Park on a snowshoeing tour to the Paint Pots. Discover the historical site, try tobogganing, and indulge in hot maple taffy. Book now!
Experience the beauty of Kootenay National Park on a snowshoeing tour to the Paint Pots. Discover the historical site, try tobogganing, and indulge in hot maple taffy. Book now!
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Kootenay National Park - You’ll hike on an easy trail along a bridge across the frozen Vermilion River and and along the snowy path winding through a forest of pine trees to the fascinating Paint Pots, which are mineral deposits once used by First Nations people for rock painting. Along the way you will hear stories from your friendly guide of…
- Kootenay National Park - You’ll hike on an easy trail along a bridge across the frozen Vermilion River and and along the snowy path winding through a forest of pine trees to the fascinating Paint Pots, which are mineral deposits once used by First Nations people for rock painting. Along the way you will hear stories from your friendly guide of Banff’s indigenous people, explorers and fur traders who lived in and traveled through the Rockies.
After having a go at the crazy carpet slide down the hill (if you wish!) your guide will share hot chocolate and make a sweet frozen dessert in the snow for you to try - delicious maple taffy.
This three-kilometer (1.86 miles) afternoon tour is an excellent trip for beginners as it covers a mainly flat terrain with minimal elevation gain, and also suits anyone wanting a pleasant activity outdoors in the majesty of Kootenay National Park.
What's Included
- Exclusive small group experience, limited to 12 guests per guide
- Expert guidance by a professional guide
- Indulge in hot chocolate and a sweet maple taffy treat
- Convenient return transportation from Banff
- Snowshoes provided for trekking
- Easy pick-up from the public bus parking behind Mount Royal Hotel
- Hiking pole included for additional support
- Exclusive small group experience, limited to 12 guests per guide
- Expert guidance by a professional guide
- Indulge in hot chocolate and a sweet maple taffy treat
- Convenient return transportation from Banff
- Snowshoes provided for trekking
- Easy pick-up from the public bus parking behind Mount Royal Hotel
- Hiking pole included for additional support
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Gratuities
Additional Information
This simple 3-kilometer trail in Kootenay National Park offers a wonderful introduction to snowshoeing, leading to the historic Paint Pots. Participants will trek along a snow-covered forest path to reach the Paint Pots, a cultural gem, with the chance to enjoy tobogganing on a fun carpet slide. This intimate group tour provides round-trip…
This simple 3-kilometer trail in Kootenay National Park offers a wonderful introduction to snowshoeing, leading to the historic Paint Pots. Participants will trek along a snow-covered forest path to reach the Paint Pots, a cultural gem, with the chance to enjoy tobogganing on a fun carpet slide. This intimate group tour provides round-trip transportation from Banff, snowshoes, hot chocolate, and a distinctly Canadian delight - hot maple taffy prepared in the snow by the guide.
- Minimum age is 8 years.
- Guests should dress in ski wear for this trip including a winter jacket, ski pants, hats, mittens, and warm winter boots.
- All children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied by someone 18 years and older.
- All adults must sign a waiver prior to the tour. A waiver must also be completed by the parent or guardian of any child under the age of 18.
Location
Kootenay National Park
7556 Main St E
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(53 Ratings)
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Rebekah_d
Apr 6, 2025
Snowshoe tour to the paint pots - I booked this tour with Discover Banff Tours. Neil was our guide. He was professional and very knowledgeable about the area, he engaged our group in conversation and made the best maple taffy and hot cocoa. The trail was easy, and the weather cooperated during our hike. The snack and sledding was a fun addition to the tour. Would go again!
Review provided by Viator
Christina_n
Mar 11, 2025
Snowshoeing Fun - This was such a fun snowshoeing experience in Kootenay National Park! We got to see a little bit of the actual paint pots, but as it's winter, it was expected that many of them were snow covered. The highlight really was walking the trail in fresh powdered snow, with the beautiful forest and mountains in the background. Georgia and Chloe were awesome guides! They're very knowledgeable about the area. They shared some fun stories and the hot chocolate and maple taffy were nice bonuses.
Review provided by Viator
Paulo
Feb 18, 2025
Fantastic outdoor experience - Snow shoeing at the paint pot was a great way to experience the park in winter time, Our tour guide Anik was fantastic, she was knowledgeable and entertaining. She went out of her way to make sure we were having a good time not only in the tour but during our stay in Banff.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Beezee2010
Jan 10, 2025
Great fun, fabulous for older kids and teens. Does require a level of fitness. - We chose this as an "easy" activity to do on Christmas Day. Note to all that snowshoeing is NOT necessarily an "easy" activity even for those of us who are generally very fit.
Our teenagers absolutely had a ball on this tour. They loved whizzing down the slopes on the "crazy carpet slide" and making taffy in the snow. They voted this to be one of the most fun tours of the ten or so that we did while in Canada. I will say that it does probably require a higher fitness level than the website would have you believe though. Our whole family are long distance runners, cyclists etc but snowshoeing in deep powder for 3km isn't necessarily as easy as one would think when you aren't used to snowshoes or the thinner air.
We were absolutely fine but I personally found this far more taxing than hiking Johnston Canyon etc and may not have eaten quite so much on Christmas morning if I'd realised. After reading the blurb on the website I think I was gearing up for a pleasant stroll rather than something that required that much effort!
Fun - 100% yes. An "easy" stroll after a heavy Christmas brunch, not quite!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Verenaz2511
Dec 29, 2024
Highly recommended - Incredible snow shoeing tour 🥰 our tour guide girls took us in the wilderness where we had so much snow. The tour was absolutely awesome. Including hot chocolate, maple taffy treat, sleigh riding and of course a lot of information and especially fun. Thank you Girls for this unique experience with you. Highly recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Steve_j
Dec 4, 2024
Excellent Eli - Quiet enjoyment of the woods and good guiding made the day. The snowshoeing was excellent and I highly recommend it
Review provided by Viator
Angela
Mar 15, 2024
Snowshoeing trip with Emma - It was our first time in Banff and we decided to go on the snowshoeing trip.
There was only two of us on the trip so Emma was like our personal guide, she was very informative and made it fun, getting us to walk in new untrodden snow and towards the end, to walk in snow with no snowshoes. My husband enjoyed the sliding down the slope while she started getting to make maple taffy and hot chocolate.
Definitely recommend it as a trip to get out of the town and do something different.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
746ceria
Feb 12, 2024
Snowshoeing to Paint Pots - Emma, our guide, was great. She had a lot of knowledge and she made the tour fun - she even got me to agree to toboggan down a hill! The scenery was stunning and it was a lovely sunny day (although sadly too warm to make maple taffy in the snow). Being a small group (something this tour company specialises in) made it more enjoyable and I would highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kytraveler79
Feb 8, 2024
Great tour! - This was a wonderful tour! The drive wasn't too far out of central Banff. It was warmer than usual in Banff but the location of our tour had fresh snow. The hike was beautiful and not too challenging, mostly flat. Very informative with great tour guides. Also had a great group of people on our tour. Would definitely recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
722nadjas
Feb 18, 2025
Fun, entertaining, informative - It was my first experience with snowshoes. It was fun. Could have been a little longer;). We had caught great weather so the magnificent view could be admired well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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