Are you planning a trip to Banff in the Winter and feeling overwhelmed about driving and getting around in the snow? Or are you just looking for an awesome Winter activity to do like a snowmobile tour or a dog sledding tour?
Banff is so much more than just a town. It is the centre of so many incredible outdoor adventures and also some really magical and relaxing outdoor activities.
The tours that I have listed in this guide range from relaxing tours to some really extreme tours like ice climbing up frozen waterfalls. There is something in Banff in Winter for everyone and I hope one of these Banff Winter tours makes all your adventure dreams come true!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn us a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!
The Best Winter Tours in Banff
1. Banff to Lake Louise Half Day Winter Tour
💰 Price: < CAD$100
⏰ Duration: 4 hours
⭐ Rating: 5/5
▶ Click here to book
Lake Louise transforms into a magical winter wonderland during the wintertime and is definitely a spot you can’t miss on your Winter trip to Banff!
This tour to Lake Louise from Banff is perfect for you if you are wanting to visit Lake Louise without the fuss of having to drive, find a parking spot and figure out what to do when you actually get there. On the Banff to Lake Louise Half Day Winter Tour, you can sit back and relax whilst you are driven along the road to Lake Louise. The only thing you need to worry about on the drive, is spotting wildlife!
Once you reach Lake Louise, your guide will give you a pair of complementary snow shoes and take you on a beginner’s snowshoeing adventure through the forest and beside the lake.
The tour also includes a nice mug of hot chocolate and local maple taffy. Believe me, the hot chocolate is going to taste like heaven after spending some time outdoors at Lake Louise in the brisk conditions!
🧥 Clothing Tips
When spending time at Lake Louise, you are going to want to be prepared for it to be super cold! Bring along the following with you:
- Warm clothing
- Hat
- Gloves
- Scarf
- Waterproof shoes
- Thermal clothing
- Snow clothing
- Warm shoes
2. Grotto Canyon Icewalk
💰 Price: < CAD$100
⏰ Duration: 4 hours
⭐ Rating: 5/5
▶ Click here to book
On this unique Banff tour, you will explore the incredible Grotto Canyon as you hike along a frozen creek using ice cleats provided by the tour guide. Your tour guide will point out unusual rock formations, spectacular frozen waterfalls and indigenous wall art which you would probably miss if not on a tour. This is definitely a tour that you cannot miss!
The hike itself is only 2.1kms so you don’t need to be extremely fit to be able to do this tour. As you take in the beauty of the frozen waterfalls, you will get to enjoy a nice hot chocolate and classic Canadian maple cookie.
What to Bring:
- Thermal clothing
- Warm clothing
- Snow clothing
- Scarf
- Warm shoes (the ice cleats will attach to the bottom of your own shoes)
3. Family Friendly Horse-drawn Sleigh Ride
💰 Price: < CAD$50
⏰ Duration: 40 minutes
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 – (74 reviews)
▶ Click here to book
This Family Friendly Horse-drawn Sleigh Ride is a great short tour for the whole family and a great way to see some of Banff! In this tour, you will join a small group of about 8 people and see iconic Banff mountains such as Rundle Mountain and Cascade Mountain.
In the sleigh, you will be provided with a warm wool blanket so that you don’t get cold while you enjoy the ride and look out for wildlife such as elk and deer. After the ride, you will have time to warm up by a fire with a hot drink at the stables.
Or a Romantic Horse-drawn Sleigh Ride
💰 Price: approx. CAD$230 per couple
⏰ Duration: 40 minutes
⭐ Rating: 4.9/5
▶ Click here to book
If you are looking to plan a romantic outing with your special someone, why not book a private Horse-drawn Sleigh Ride instead? This romantic adventure has all the perks of the family-friendly tour, with the added bonus that you have the sleigh completely to yourselves and your guide.
4. Morning or Afternoon Johnston Canyon Icewalk
💰 Price: < CAD$100
⏰ Duration: 4 hours
⭐ Rating: 4.9/5 – (54 reviews)
▶ Click here to book
Johnston Canyon is an amazing place and one you definitely don’t want to miss on your Winter trip to Banff! We have been in both Summer and Winter and we much preferred Winter. Not only are there less crowds but everything turns into a frozen Winter Wonderland!
You can choose from a morning or afternoon tour which will include transport to and from Johnston Canyon. Make sure you watch out for wildlife on this scenic drive! The tour also includes a hot chocolate, maple cookie and the use of ice cleats which you will need to do this hike as the trail will be slippery. You will also be offered a pair of hiking poles if you like, however we didn’t find we needed poles to hike Johnston Canyon in Summer or Winter.
The hike to Johnston Canyon’s upper falls is 5.3km return with 263m elevation gain.
What to bring:
- Thermal clothing
- Warm clothing
- Snow clothing
- Scarf
- Warm shoes
Johnston Canyon Evening Icewalk
💰 Price: < CAD$100
⏰ Duration: 2.5 hours
⭐ Rating: 4.8/5
▶ Click here to book
If you are feeling extra adventurous, you might find the Johnston Canyon Icewalk more appealing under the stars, plus you get a souvenir headlamp! This tour takes you to the lower falls which are not as far of a hike as the upper falls.
5. Banff National Park Guided Tour with Snowshoeing Hike
💰 Price: From CAD$277
⏰ Duration: 8 hours
⭐ Rating: New Activity (no rating at this time)
▶ Click here to book
This tour takes you around some of the most beautiful lakes in and around Banff and includes some incredible spots along the Icefields Parkway!
The guide takes you to Peyto Lake Viewpoint (snowshoes provided) which is one of our favourite stops along the Icefields Parkway, Abraham Lake to see the ice bubbles and more local secret spots along the Parkway. You can also opt in to hire ice skates to skate across Abraham Lake!
I am so happy to see a tour like this one as I think it is perfect for outdoor adventure photographers like us! The Rockies are full of awesome photo spots, with a few more good ones listed in our short guide Best Winter Photography spots in the Rockies.
6. Guided Ice Climbing Experience for Beginners
💰 Price: From CAD$248
⏰ Duration: 8 hours
⭐ Rating: no rating
▶ Click here to book
This tour is a true bucket list experience! You will join an introduction to ice climbing for beginners class in Banff and learn the basics along with safety precautions before climbing frozen waterfall!
Locations for this tour do vary depending on the day but they include Canmore Junk Yards, Johnston Canyon, and Haffner Creek. Once you arrive at your location for the day you will get a full briefing from your certified guide on safety and how to use the equipment (all gear is included). You will also learn about body positioning and movement skills which you will use when climbing.
What to bring:
- Warm clothing
- Food and drinks
- Jacket
- Gloves
- Snow clothing
📌 Note: You will be required to drive your own vehicle to the meeting location and the climbing site.
7. Day Tour – Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon
💰 Price: From CAD$244
⏰ Duration: 8 hours
⭐ Rating: New Activity (no rating at this time)
▶ Click here to book
This is a full day tour from Banff that you don’t want to miss! The tour includes both Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon and you can even opt in to skate on Lake Louise which is a true bucket list opportunity!
Marvel at the Winter Wonderland that is the Canadian Rockies and enjoy watching out for wildlife, gazing at frozen waterfalls and snapping pictures in front of the castle-like Fairmont Hotel at Lake Louise.
Your guide will also take you snowshoeing in the forests around Lake Louise (snowshoes provided).
8. Banff Dog Sledding Tour
💰 Price: CAD$265
⏰ Duration: 1.5 hours
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
▶ Click here to book
There are not many dog sledding tours that actually take you sledding in Banff National Park so you need to book fast! This tour takes you 16km and about 1.5 hours through Lake Louise and past the most stunning scenery. You will sled along the base of some of Banff National Parks giant mountains and go past Kicking Horse Pass at the Continental Divide. Don’t forget your camera on this one because the scenery is to die for! 😻
“This dogsledding in Lake Louise tour is a romantic and unique experience! A must do in Lake Louise. Reserve your spots fast, it’s a popular one!”
— Lindsey, Group Sales Manager, Discover Banff Tours
9. Banff Snowmobile Tour
💰 Price: CAD$220 – $309
⏰ Duration: 2 hours – 4 hours
▶ Click here to book
There are actually no snowmobiles allowed within Banff National Park and so you will have to travel about 2 hours from Banff for a snowmobile tour. There are two tours to choose from with Discover Banff Tours, Panorama – Paradise Basin Snowmobiling or Golden Snowmobiling. The tour in Golden is a little more affordable than the Paradise Basin Tour but also shorter at 2 hours.
If you choose to do the tour in Golden, you will need to get yourself there from Banff. On the other hand, if you don’t have your own vehicle, perhaps the Paradise Basin tour would be a better choice, as there is transport available to book with the tour company.
No experience is necessary for either of these tours and your guide will teach you everything you need to know to have a super fun filled day out in the mountains!
10. Banff Wildlife Tour
💰 Price: From CAD$99
⏰ Duration: 3 hours
⭐ Rating: New Activity (no rating at this time)
▶ Click here to book
On this must-do Banff tour, you will be shown Banff’s secret wildlife hideouts and some insanely beautiful viewpoints such as Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake and Bow Falls. Your guide will take through wildlife corridors to see elk, deer, coyotes, foxes, bighorn sheep, and more!
📷 Don’t forget your camera!
11. Lake Louise: Cross Country Skiing Lesson with Tour
💰 Price: < CAD$150
⏰ Duration: 5 hours
⭐ Rating:4.5/5
▶ Click here to book
Want to learn how to cross-country ski? On this tour you will finally get your chance! The tour consists of beginner cross-country ski lessons over easy terrain, followed by a short ski tour around Lake Louise.
❗ Note: Ski equipment is not included in the tour and can be rented from the Chateau Lake Louise for $60 pp or at Wilson Mountain Sports in Lake Louise town for $30 pp.
What to bring:
- Warm clothing
- Hat
- Packed lunch
- Outdoor clothing
- Winter sports gear
- Gloves
Our Thoughts
We both absolutely adore Banff in both the Summer and the Winter, however the Winter definitely has a bit of magic about it. When we first went to Banff in the Winter, we were brand new to driving around in the snow and it actually stopped us from see a lot of the area. If we could go back and do it again, we would definitely book some Winter tours to enable us to see and do more fun activities in Banff!
You might also enjoy:
- 13 Amazing Things to do in Banff this Winter
- 5 Epic Photography spots in the Canadian Rockies
- 14 Amazing Icefields Parkway Stops You Shouldn’t Miss!
- 7 Amazing Lake Louise Tours
📌 Share and Save for Later!
