Grotto Canyon Icewalk: Small-Group Adventure Through Ancient Rock Formations and Icefalls

Embark on a journey across a frozen stream in Grotto Canyon, where you’ll encounter unique geological structures, ancient indigenous rock paintings, and cascading icefalls. With the guidance of a skilled expert, this small-group excursion promises a truly memorable bespoke sightseeing adventure!

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Grotto Mountain - 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…
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
What's Not Included
  • Optional gratuities
Additional Information
  • 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.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(45 Ratings)
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1 star
N3uh
Dec 25, 2024
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 To boot Buck was a fantastic guide and provided useful back stories and historical references.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Steven_c
Mar 28, 2024
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.
Review provided by Viator
Sightsee281754
Mar 26, 2024
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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pamela_f
Jan 13, 2024
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.
Review provided by Viator
Benrmackay
Jan 31, 2022
Fantastic ice walk, beautiful scenery, and guide - 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!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sara_f
Mar 6, 2023
We recommend this outing - Pleasant scenic hike with fantastic guides — frozen waterfalls and pictographs in a picturesque canyon
Review provided by Viator
909martinp
Mar 12, 2022
The history of the region in a canyon. - 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 🙂
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anjalim616
Dec 24, 2024
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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
310jiachenp
Dec 27, 2023
My Disappointing Experience with Viator - Missed Johnston Canyon Icewalk - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wu1014
Mar 12, 2023
Didn't get to join the tour; was not picked up at my hotel where I had been told to wait - 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $81
up to 9 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).