M
Ice Canyon walk
Great tour of the Johnston Canyon and very informative guide throughout. The scenery at this time of year was stunning and the ice formations something to behold
Grotto Canyon Icewalk
+8 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Price from
- $78 / person
- Location
- Banff, Canada
- Rating
- 4.7 / 5 · 50 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 12
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Discover Banff Tours
Description
Walk on a frozen creek through Grotto Canyon, past unusual rock formations, ancient native rock art, and icefalls. Escorted by a specialist guide, this small-group tour offers an unforgettable personalized sightseeing experience!
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 8:30 AM and 1:30 PM
- Season
- Starts Nov 1
- Next available
- Sun, Nov 1
- Adult (ages 13+)
- $78
- Child (ages 8–12)
- $49
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 6.
Tour Options
What's included
Included
Maple cookie snack, hot chocolate
Small group size (up to 12 guests per guide)
Professional guide
Ice cleats
Pick up from the public bus parking located behind the Mount Royal Hotel.
Hiking pole
Not included
Optional gratuities
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 Canalta Lodge at 8:00 AM Banff Caribou Lodge at 8:01 AM Fox Hotel & Suites at 8:02 AM Red Carpet Inn at 8:03 AM Douglas Fir at 8:06 AM Banff Ptarmigan Inn at 8:10 AM Mount Royal Hotel (Public Bus Parking behind hotel) at 8:12 AM Rimrock Resort at 8:20 AM Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (Motorcoach Entrance) at 8:25 AM Banff Train Station at 8:30 AM Juniper Hotel at 8:35 AM If no pickup is selected, your pick up will be defaulted to meet at the public bus parking behind the Mount Royal Hotel at 1:12 PM.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.7
50 reviews
How it compares in Banff
- Starting price $78 is close to the typical $78 for tours of similar length in Banff
Excurgo comparison of 347 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- 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.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grotto Canyon Icewalk take?
Grotto Canyon Icewalk lasts about 4 hours.
How much does Grotto Canyon Icewalk cost?
Prices start at $78 per person for this Banff experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Grotto Canyon Icewalk run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 8:30 AM and 1:30 PM.
How much does Grotto Canyon Icewalk cost for children?
Children aged 8–12 pay from $49, adults from $78.
Can I cancel Grotto Canyon Icewalk for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. 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 Canalta Lodge at 8:00 AM Banff Caribou Lodge at 8:01 AM Fox Hotel & Suites at 8:02 AM Red Carpet Inn at 8:03 AM Douglas Fir at 8:06 AM Banff Ptarmigan Inn at 8:10 AM Mount Royal Hotel (Public Bus Parking behind hotel) at 8:12 AM Rimrock Resort at 8:20 AM Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (Motorcoach Entrance) at 8:25 AM Banff Train Station at 8:30 AM Juniper Hotel at 8:35 AM If no pickup is selected, your pick up will be defaulted to meet at the public bus parking behind the Mount Royal Hotel at 1:12 PM. Pickup points include Red Carpet Inn, Fairmont Banff Springs.
What languages is Grotto Canyon Icewalk offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 12 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
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.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Grotto Canyon Icewalk worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 50 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Discover Banff Tours.
Reviews(50)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
3
Stunning walk with a fun informative guide
Fabulous walk with Heidi as tour guide. Lots of fun facts and information along the way. Stunning walk which is a little off the main tourist trail.
H
Beautiful, special winter experience
Heidi was an amazing guide, showing a variety of things that made this walk so special. From the formation of the rocks, hidden nooks, details of the flora. It was a really beautiful and unique walk, and I’m so glad I did it while in Banff!
A
Enjoying Ice Walking
Heidi was a fantastic guide. I learned so much about Banff National Park while experiencing ice walking. It was a very fun day.
B
Beautiful hike with very...
Beautiful hike with very knowledgeable and considerate guide. Provided equipment was appreciated! Definitely worth the price.
N
Do the Grotto
Great scenery and a comfortable walk/distance. To boot Buck was a fantastic guide and provided useful back stories and historical references.
A
Average guide but phenomenal views
Views were phenomenal and wouldn't do this hike without a guide, but tour guide was lackluster, seemed jaded by politics and wasn't cognizant of individual pacing differences.
S
Grotto Canyon Rocks!
Great experience all around. Our group ended up being small, just my wife and I along with another guest. Emma was excellent at navigating the group dynamic and attentive to the needs of the group. She provided pertinent information and a great experience all around. Terrain was extremely approachable with the provided slip on spikes. Beautiful scenery throughout the walk.
S
Fabulous!
Was a fabulous informative hike with Emma as our tour guide! Was happy to see her again as I hiked with her last year on the Johnston Canyon tour as well.
Operator response
Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your hike with Emma once again. It's always a pleasure to have returning guests, and we look forward to welcoming you back for more adventures in the future.
P
Magical Ice Walk
Bastion was a very informative guide and was attentive to the needs of each person in the group. The hike was beautiful. It was a little challenging going up the grade into the canyon in fresh powder, but very doable even for a person in their 60's. The scenery was magical.
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- Shortest: Grotto Canyon Icewalk — 4 hours
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grotto Canyon Icewalk | 4 hours | 4.7 (50) | $78 | |
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from$78
4.7(50) Free cancellation