Johnston Canyon Icewalk
Description
Water cascades into this narrow canyon in the heat of summer, but in the winter the thundering falls freeze solid to create natural ice sculptures. 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 this cathedral of ice with airy views into the gorge below. As you do, you’ll get to wander through a natural cave to gaze down at the flowering waters of the lower falls. Continue onto the awe-inducing upper falls - a glittering tower of ice that rise 30 metres above your head. These gigantic pillars of ice are the tour highlight and ice climbers can often be seen scaling the frozen columns. This popular guided icewalk will lead you past the lower falls and on to view the breathtaking upper icefalls from the upper deck. You will also travel through prime wildlife habitat to reach the falls and learn the clues to how Johnston Canyon was formed.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Every pickup point has a unique pickup time. Guests must be ready at their selected pickup point 5 minutes prior. Banff Rocky Mountain Resort at 7:55 AM / 12:55 PM Canalta Lodge at 8:00 AM / 1:00 PM Banff Caribou Lodge at 8:01 AM / 1:01 PM Fox Hotel & Suites at 8:02 AM / 1:02 PM Red Carpet Inn at 8:03 AM / 1:03 PM Douglas Fir at 8:06 AM / 1:06 PM Banff Ptarmigan Inn at 8:10 AM / 1:10 PM Mount Royal Hotel (Public Bus Parking behind hotel) at 8:12 AM / 1:12 PM Rimrock Resort at 8:20 AM/ 1:20 PM Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (Motorcoach Entrance) at 8:25 AM / 1:25 PM Banff Train Station at 8:30 AM / 1:30 PM Juniper Hotel at 8:35 AM / 1:35 PM If no pickup is selected, your pick up will be defaulted to meet at the public bus parking behind the Mount Royal Hotel at 8:12 AM / 1:12 PM, pending the departure time booked.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- 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.
- A moderate level of fitness is recommended to ensure that you enjoy the tour.
- Please note that this tour stays on the trail and does not traverse the ice due to safety concerns.
- 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.
Reviews(534)
Excellent trip, guide was on time and took us on the walk pointing out and sharing knowledge and info on the area. Was tricky in parts with a new snowfall but well worth the effort
We had a most wonderful time with Chloe. She was so much fun, telling great stories. The canyon is a must see in any season but we were very pleased that we were able to view the falls in their icy state. Highly recommend and ask for Chloe- she is great!
This was an amazing experience overall. The trail was 98% covered in ice so having crampons provided was not only convenient but necessary. Sophie was an excellent guide and helped to turn a casual walk in the (gorgeous) woods into an informative tour. Even the drive from the pick up spot to the trailhead was packed with great storytelling. We got very lucky with the weather and had a perfectly warm, sunny day in April! Couldn't have asked for a better set of circumstances. Highly recommend this beautiful tour.
The guided tour is the way to go. Our tour guide, Neil Evans was very knowledgeable about the park, the canyons as well as the history of Banff. The views were absolutely stunning. The hike took about 4 hours and has multiple different terrain elevations but nothing too bad. My daughter and I give this tour company and the hike a 10/10. Thanks for having us Discover Banff Tours and thank you to our guide Neil Evans.
Absolutely unforgettable experience at Johnston Canyon in Banff! From the moment we started the trail, it felt like stepping into a postcard. The turquoise water, the sound of rushing waterfalls, and the stunning canyon walls made every step worth it. The walk itself was easy to follow and incredibly scenic, with well-maintained pathways and breathtaking views at every turn. Reaching the Lower and Upper Falls was the highlight—each one more beautiful than the last. The fresh mountain air and peaceful atmosphere made it such a refreshing escape from everyday life. If you’re visiting Banff, this is a must-do. Whether you’re going for a relaxing walk or chasing views, Johnston Canyon delivers pure magic. I’d go back in a heartbeat!
Superb tour with amazing views and lots of time to explore. It is not rushed. Lot of free time and guided knowledge sharing with other people. Very friendly people and staff.
This was a blast! I'm not normally one for guided tours but our tour with Neil was great. He had a ton of info about the canyon and did a great job of telling us about the geography of the area. He also gave us a very clutch suggestion about when/where to ski which really helped us plan the rest of our vacation in Banff. Highly recommend doing a tour with this group, they truly do set up everything and make everything very easy.
So glad to hear Neil turned your trip into a canyon-sized win! His local tips are gold, especially for making the most of Banff. Thanks for the recommendation and for trusting us with your adventure!
Georgia was great with a blend of humor, facts, stories…and even geology! She even enticed us with treats. Thanks Georgia!
The hike was not overly strenuous. You definitely need ice cleats. The views are worth every step. Georgia was our guide and she was fabulous! The hot chocolate and cookies she served when we got to the turnaround were such a nice treat. We have only positive things to say about this experience. Georgia was even kind enough to drop us off at our hotel when we got back to town.
We really enjoyed the hike to the falls and the scenery was beautiful. Georgia was a fantastic guide, she was so knowledgeable and made the drive and hike so interesting and fun.
Sounds like a perfect blend of fresh air, nature sights and great company! We’re so glad Georgia made the journey both fun and insightful. Thanks for sharing your experience!
