Lake Louise & Johnston Canyon Winter Day Tour from Banff

5.0
(89 reviews)
Banff, Canada

8 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English

Turn one day into lifelong winter love.

Hike the icy depths of Johnston Canyon, past frozen waterfalls and steel catwalks, then step out onto frozen Lake Louise, where the ice trail stretches toward Victoria Glacier and snow-loaded peaks frame every step. Skate, snowshoe, or walk the lakeshore, with free skates and snowshoes for everyone. Round out the day at the winter spots our guides love most, keeping an eye out for elk and bighorn sheep along the way.

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

Highlights:
❄ Skating and snowshoeing on frozen Lake Louise
❄ Johnston Canyon's frozen waterfalls
❄ Free skates, snowshoes, ice cleats, and poles
❄ Picnic lunch 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

What's Included

Comfortable, premium transportation
Small group experience (max 10 guests)
Snowshoes & skates (please contact Radventures after booking to select your size)
A fresh picnic lunch from a local favourite: a gourmet sandwich (turkey by default), fruit, and a baked treat. Have a preference or dietary restriction? Reach out for an alternative.
Fresh water refills (BYO bottle)
Local guide trained in photography and storytelling
Hot drinks (hot chocolate, coffee, or tea) & sweet treat
Ice cleats/crampons & hiking poles
Guide gratuities (optional)

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
You can choose from multiple locations at checkout.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 8 hours (approximately)
  • 1
    Banff National Park

    On this tour, your Radventures guide will determine the best times to visit each of the following locations, in no particular order, based on weather conditions, big bus tour schedules & a few other factors that we as locals consider to ensure that you, as our guests, are getting the best and most authentic experience on the day. Adventuring outside deep in the heart of Banff National Park is a phenomenal experience in any season! That being said, this is a part of the world where weather can change in an instant and temperatures stay well below freezing for most of the winter. Please layer up and dress for being outside in freezing temperatures! Please also ensure you have warm, waterproof footwear on.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Lake Louise

    Lace up your ice-skates & strap on your snowshoes on the world famous Lake Louise and glide across the ice & snow as you marvel in the incredible scenery around you. With 2 hours here you will have lots of time to ice skate on the lake, explore the lakeside trails on snowshoe or foot, be amazed by the lakefront ice sculptures and check out the incredible hotel interior & shops. There is something to do here for every guest no matter your desired activity level! Upon arrival, your guide will show you all the important landmarks and provide all the information you'll need to explore the lake at your own pace before demonstrating how to use the snowshoes & ice skates (small extra cost, please contact Radventures BEFORE booking). Once everyone is settled into their Lake Louise adventures, your guide will remain with the tour van to allow for guests to come and go as they please to pick-up/drop-off gear and to have access to a warm spot to relax as well as their belongings.

    2 hours • Admission ticket free
  • 3
    Lake Louise

    Around 12pm - 1pm, we will make a short stop for lunch at Samson Mall in Lake Louise Village. Guests will be able to choose to buy lunch at the local cafe or bakery, or purchase a bagged lunch from Bare Bistro in advance (extra cost, please contact Radventures before booking). Guests are also welcome to BYO. Please note: We are in a remote part of the Rockies and options for buying lunch can be limited for guests with dietary restrictions. For more information, please contact Radventures before booking.

    45 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 4
    Johnston Canyon

    Experience the incredible beauty of Banff National Park's epic frozen winter wonderland at Johnston Canyon! Upon arrival, your guide will equip you with crampons/ice-cleats & hiking poles and deliver amazing stories & fun facts as you explore the mellow trail together to the Lower Falls (approx 30 mins/1.2km/0.75 miles/50m elevation gain one way). Once at the Lower Falls, guests will have the option to return to the warm comfort of the tour van or to continue to the Upper Falls (an additional 30 mins/1.3km/0.8 miles/70m elevation gain) to be amazed by the biggest & most awe-inspiring frozen waterfalls in the canyon and encourage the daredevil ice climbers scaling their way up the frozen canyon walls. The return trip from the trailhead to the Upper Falls is 2 hours/5.0km/3.1 miles/120m elevation gain in total and is suitable for those with moderate fitness levels. Physical activity on this tour is encouraged but not mandatory & guests may choose to relax instead of hike.

    2 hours • Admission ticket included
  • 5
    Bow Valley Parkway

    Soak in the incredible views of towering mountains, huge glaciers & alpine forest whilst keeping an eye out for wildlife as we travel along the awe-inspiring backroads of Banff National Park between Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon & Banff.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free
  • 6
    Banff

    On Radventures full day epic guided adventures, our expert local guides like to throw in a surprise or two along the way to really make our guests day! On this tour, we guarantee visiting Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon & experiencing the beauty of the Bow Valley Parkway at a minimum. In between or before/after these stops, your guides will utilize all their local experience and knowledge of the weather, how to avoid big bus schedules & recent wildlife sightings to make a secret stop or two.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Service animals allowed
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Children 5 and under are not able to join our small group adventures (please contact Radventures if travelling with children for alternative options)
  • Not recommended for travelers with mobility issues
Supplied by Radventures

Tags

Day Trips
Full-day Tours
Bus Tours
Private and Luxury
Small Group
Excellent Quality
Adventure Tours
Low Supplier Cancellation Rate
Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate

Cancellation Policy

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

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Rating

5.0 Based on 89 89 reviews
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