Johnston Canyon Frozen Waterfalls Small Group Tour

A group of people in winter clothing taking a selfie in front of a waterfall. 1

By Radventures

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Overview

Banff's must-do winter walk.

Follow the steel catwalks into Johnston Canyon, where the creek goes quiet under the snow and the falls freeze into towers of blue and white ice. Walk to the Lower Falls, or carry on to the Upper Falls, where ice climbers often work their way up the frozen cliffs. On the drive along the Bow Valley Parkway, watch for elk and bighorn sheep.

★ Banff's top-rated tour provider, with 5,000+ five-star reviews and four Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice awards.

Highlights:
❄ Frozen Lower and Upper Falls of Johnston Canyon
❄ Ice climbers on the frozen cliffs
❄ Scenic stops on the Bow Valley Parkway
❄ Ice cleats, poles, and hot drinks included

Why book with Radventures:
▸ Max 10 guests in a premium van, never a coach
▸ Banff-born, independently owned
▸ 1% of every booking protects the places you explore

Activity location

Bow Valley Parkway
- Johnson or equal,
- Banff, Canada

Meeting/Redemption Point

Fairmont Banff Springs
- 405 Spray Avenue
- T1L 1J4, Banff, Alberta, Canada

Multiple meeting/redemption points available, see location information for full list

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Dates

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What's included, what's not

Comfortable, premium transportation
Small group experience (max 10 guests)
Polaroid souvenir
Fresh water refills (BYO bottle)
Local guide trained in photography and storytelling
Essential winter gear: ice cleats/crampons & hiking poles
Hot drinks (hot chocolate, coffee, or tea) & sweet treat
Hotel pick-up and drop-off at select Banff locations
Lunch
Guide gratuities (optional)

Know before you book

- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children under 8 are unable to join our small group adventures

Activity itinerary

Johnston Canyon

2h
Admission ticket included

In winter, Johnston Canyon freezes into walls of blue ice and waterfalls locked in place. At the trailhead, your guide fits you with ice cleats and optional poles, then leads the way along the canyon's steel catwalks, explaining how the canyon formed and what lives here as you go. The Lower Falls are about 30 minutes in (1.2 km, 50 m elevation gain). From there, head back to the trailhead or keep going to the Upper Falls. The extension adds another 30 minutes and 1.3 km. At the top, you'll often spot ice climbers working their way up the frozen cliffs. Round trip to the Upper Falls: 2 hours, 5 km, 120 m elevation gain. Suitable for guests with average fitness. Hot drinks are served on the drive back.

Bow Valley Parkway

Take the Bow Valley Parkway, the quieter back road between Banff and Johnston Canyon, winding through thick forest with Castle Mountain rising ahead. It's one of the best stretches in the park for wildlife, so keep an eye out for elk, deer, and bighorn sheep. On the way back, we pull over at a few scenic lookouts along the Parkway, so have your camera ready for Banff's winter landscapes.

Location

Activity location

Bow Valley Parkway
- Johnson or equal,
- Banff, Canada

Meeting/Redemption Point

Fairmont Banff Springs
- 405 Spray Avenue
- T1L 1J4, Banff, Alberta, Canada
The Juniper Hotel
- 1 Juniper Way
- T1L 1E1, Banff, Alberta, Canada
Rimrock Banff, Emblems Collection
- 300 Mountain Avenue
- T1L 1J2, Banff, Alberta, Canada
Canalta Lodge Banff
- 545 Banff Avenue
- T1L 1B5, Banff, Alberta, Canada
Banff Train Station
- 327 Railway Avenue
- T1L 1A1, Banff, Alberta, Canada
Moose Hotel & Suites
- 345 Banff Avenue
- T1L 1H8, Banff, Alberta, Canada
Tunnel Mountain Resort
- 502 Tunnel Mountain Road
- T1L 1H8, Banff, Alberta, Canada
Peaks Hotel & Suites
- 218 Lynx Street
- T1L 1K5, Banff, Alberta, Canada
Banff Caribou Lodge & Spa
- 521 Banff Avenue
- T1L 1H8, Banff, Alberta, Canada

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