Why choose this Banff tour ?
Johnston Canyon is one of Banff National Park’s most popular hiking spots, but most people don’t think to experience it at night. Your headlight (yours to keep after the tour) makes the frozen waterfalls shimmer as you hike along the suspended catwalk in quiet darkness. The evening icewalk is all about heightening your senses, appreciating the darkness, the scents of the fresh pine forest and enjoying the silence of a night spent beneath the stars as you follow your guide through this narrow, water-formed canyon.
Make the most of your Banff adventure
What makes Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk a unique experience ?
Travel through breathtaking scenery and nature on your way to the trailhead and learn about the history and geology of Johnston Canyon.
Light your way through this narrow, water-formed canyon as your small group follows your guide to the Canyon’s lower falls. The suspended catwalks, built into the limestone walls, make this an easy trip for everyone. Along the way, your guide will highlight unique features by powerful flashlight and pause for moments of darkness and quiet to foster an appreciation for spending time in the canyon at night.
At the turn around point, your guide will illuminate the expanding ice that encases the rushing water and escort you through a natural tunnel onto the viewing platform, beside the cascading Lower Falls themselves. Warm up with hot chocolate and maple cookies while you look around the Lower Falls, the turnaround point.
The return journey is your opportunity to travel without your headlamp (should you wish!). You’ll be amazed as to how quickly your eyes adjust to the darkness, enough for you to travel through the pine forest guided only by the ambient light of the moon and the stars above your head.
What to expect:
• Walking Time: 1 – 1.5 hours
• Return Distance: 1.4 miles (2.2 kilometers)
• Elevation Gain: 213 feet (65 meters)
Tour Description & Additional Info:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age is 8 years. 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.
- Guests should dress in ski wear for this trip including hats, mittens, and warm boots. A detailed list of items to wear and bring is provided on your voucher.
- Group bookings of 9 or more guests have a 7 day cancellation period.
- In accordance with our Cold Weather Policy, if safety conditions deteriorate, we may cancel the tour, offering guests the option to receive a refund or reschedule for another date or time.
Options To Choose for Your Trip:
- Evening Departure
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Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk Inclusions:
Included with Your Ticket
- Maple cookie snack, hot chocolate
- Small group size (up to 12 guests per guide)
- Professional guide
- Ice cleats
- Souvenir headlamp to keep
- Pick up from the public bus parking located behind the Mount Royal Hotel.
- Hiking pole
Not Included
- Optional gratuities
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Special Instructions:
- This Tour is Provided by Discover Banff Tours.
- Tour Timezone & Starts at America/Edmonton.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- This Tour is Rated 5 Stars based on 73 valid reviews on VIATOR.
- Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
- Maximum 9 Travelers is accepted for booking.
DIRECTIONS
• You must be ready 5 minutes prior to the 6:12pm or 7:12pm departure time (tour dependant).
• Pick up location will be the public bus parking located behind the Mount Royal Hotel at 138 Banff Ave.
• Hotel pick-up from select Banff hotels is available but you must call to schedule this ahead of time.
• All guests should refer to their booking confirmation found in their traveler message centre. If you have any questions surrounding the pick up location please call us at 1-877-565-9372.
• The minimum age is 8 years. 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.
• 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. Safety is our first priority. If the guide thinks your attire or footwear isn’t appropriate and compromises your safety on the tour, you may not be able to participate.
To ensure that you enjoy the tour, please wear/bring:
• Thermals/base layers/long johns.
• Snow pants are recommended for this tour and are mandatory if it is below -16C (3F). Otherwise on warmer days, jeans/regular pants over long johns are okay. Snow pants can be rented from stores in Banff.
• A warm sweater.
• A warm jacket. Ski jackets can be rented from stores in Banff.
• A hat and mitts.
• A neck warmer or scarf.
• Sturdy warm shoes, ideally winter boots or hiking boots. They do not have to be waterproof, but they must be warm. No heels, ugg boots, flip flops or sandals. If you do not have warm shoes, please contact our Reservations Team and we will check our stock levels or recommend a rental store.
• A water bottle.
