Grotto Canyon Icewalk

Overview

Available languages

English

4 hours

Mobile ticket

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!

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.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s 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

Optional gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Here at Grotto Canyon, you'll hike on the frozen creek bed through a narrow canyon, past unusual rock formations and spectacular icefalls. This is a unique experience to walk directly on the ice, and walking on the creek bed floor gives you a unique view of the canyon. The history of the rock art, which is over a thousand years old, and the geology of the mountains are at your fingertips as your guide explains the mystery of the area. You might also have the unique opportunity to witness ice climbers scaling the frozen waterfalls. • Return Distance: 2.6 miles (4.2 kilometers) • Elevation Gain: 330 feet (100 meters) • Walking Time: 2 - 2.5 hours

Options

8:30am Departure

Departs at 8:30am
Pickup included

Reviews

4.62

45 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Do the Grotto
N3UH,
Dec 25, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great scenery and a comfortable walk/distance. To boot Buck was a fantastic guide and provided useful back stories and historical references.
Average guide but phenomenal views
anjalim616,
Dec 24, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00
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.
Grotto Canyon Rocks!
Steven C,
Mar 28, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
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.
Fabulous!
Sightsee281754,
Mar 26, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
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.
Magical Ice Walk
Pamela F,
Jan 13, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
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.
My Disappointing Experience with Viator - Missed Johnston Canyon Icewalk
310jiachenp,
Dec 27, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00
I want to share my frustrating experience with Viator. On December 26th, I booked the Johnston Canyon Icewalk tour, excited for the adventure. However, due to incorrect guidance from Viator's customer service, my day turned out to be a disappointment. Upon arriving at the Johnston Canyon parking lot around 12:40 PM, we contacted customer service for guidance, as we were early. Surprisingly, they advised us to wait at this parking lot, asserting it was the only one for Johnston Canyon. We waited for one and a half hours, only to realize later that we were at the wrong location, and the tour had started without us. Multiple opportunities for customer service to correct this error or contact the tour guide were missed. This misguidance led to a wasted afternoon and a missed experience. I am now seeking a refund and hope to prevent others from having a similar experience by sharing my story.
Didn't get to join the tour; was not picked up at my hotel where I had been told to wait
wu1014,
Mar 12, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00
Several days before the tour, one of the tour organizers had confirmed that I could be picked up at Fairmont Banff Springs hotel. On the morning of the tour, they had forgotten to pick me up. I received the full refund, but it was too late for me to look and signup for other good tours in the Banff area.
We recommend this outing
Sara F,
Mar 6, 2023
- Review from Viator
4.00
Pleasant scenic hike with fantastic guides — frozen waterfalls and pictographs in a picturesque canyon
The history of the region in a canyon.
909martinp,
Mar 12, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
What a beautiful discovery, another wonderful place in the rocks. The excursion started in Banff with the beautiful meeting of Gina who picked us up in her mini bus, all along the way she chats with us, informing us about the area and answering all our questions. We had nothing to contribute they provide spikes, hot chocolate, maple cookies and fun. The views are beautiful, thanks to our guide Gina they are filled with relevant information and fun. She also advised my spouse on things to see and do in the Lake Louise area while I and the kids were skiing, she loved her itinerary. +: the view, conversations, organization, accessibility The -: the slow walking speed of the group And the ++++: Gina 🙂
Fantastic ice walk, beautiful scenery, and guide
Benrmackay,
Jan 31, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Having done an ice walk in Jasper previously, we were excited at the prospect of another outing. Our guide, Anick, was friendly, funny, personable and very knowledgeable. Our family appreciated the extra insights into the ecology, history, and geology of the canyon - something we wouldn't have enjoyed without her help. And we definitely would have walked right past the petroglyphs and never learned the fascinating history associated with the markings matching those found in the southwestern US. Thanks for a great experience!