Experience the Magic of Winter in Banff
Join us for a private winter adventure and feel the Alpenglow difference.
Winter in Banff is absolutely magical. Explore frozen waterfalls, skate on famous lakes, snowshoe in fresh powder, or simply take in the serenity of our winter wonderland!
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Join our friendly and knowledgable guides as they share the fascinating history of Banff National Park while safely navigating the winding winter roads. Our itineraries have been carefully crafted to help you make the most of your time in Banff, but we always love working with our guests to customize the perfect day.
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This is the ultimate hands off experience - from planning to driving, we will take care of it all. This is the best way to enjoy a winter vacation; after all, you deserve it!
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Why Banff Alpenglow Adventures? We've created our adventures to be the best mix of fun, adventure, knowledge and affordability! Plus as an owner-operated company, you will be working with your guide to build the perfect day, not a booking agent!
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We believe a top-notch experience shouldn’t have to break the bank.
​So take a look through our offerings and see what works best for you, or reach out to us and we will help you with the decision!
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Private Winter Adventures
Winter Wonderland
(3-4 hours)
​The short and sweet one!
Enjoy all that Banff townsite has to offer on this scenic journey through the historic hub of Banff National Park. This adventure is perfect for those with a tight schedule who want to maximize their day, or those who are new to the area looking to get a lay of the land.
Choose your own adventure - experience the sights from the comfort of a high-top van or hop out and explore around at the sights. Your guide will provide a local perspective into the incredible history of the area, both human and natural.
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We will wind our way through wildlife corridors, exploring waterfalls, frozen lakes and stunning viewpoints. Keep your eyes open and you might even spot some wildlife along the way!
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Lake Minnewanka
Johnston Canyon Secret Cave
Frozen Falls Adventure
(5-6 hours)
The adventurous one!
Embark on an epic journey of ancient rock and icy water, and discover the intense changes brought on by a winter in the Rockies.
Winter in Banff might be cold, but that's no excuse to stay inside! There's no better way to warm up than by hiking, especially when it ends in frozen waterfalls and hot drinks!
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We will start our journey on the Bow Valley Parkway, a scenic highway with a chance of spotting wildlife! Our first stop is the famous Johnston Canyon, where your guide will provide ice cleats or snowshoes to begin our adventure. The trail twists and turns along the wall of an ancient canyon, ending with a tunnel to the breathtaking Johnston Canyon lower falls. For anyone craving more, you have the option to venture on to the Upper Falls. (5.5km, 274m) / (2.3km, 105m)
Our adventure continues into Kootenay National Park in British Columbia, to Marble Canyon. This hike provides a different perspective of the wonders of water as you peer over numerous bridges into the dizzyingly deep canyon below.
(1.4km, 50m)
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Lake Lover's Winter Adventure
(6-7 hours)
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The best one!
This adventure highlights the best of Banff's winter sights. It's for those who want a combination of scenic driving with a bit of activity mixed in!
Our journey begins by heading to the iconic Lake Louise. Passing under wildlife overpasses and towering peaks, your guide will paint a picture of the history and significance of this area. While skating & snowshoeing are weather dependent, hiking, photoshoots, and hot chocolate breaks are available year round.
Next we'll head to the well-loved Icefields Parkway, named by National Geographic as one of the most scenic highways in the world. We will wind our way past ancient glaciers, towering peaks, and some lesser known lakes, before arriving at the stunning Peyto Lake, a lake named after one of Banff's most notorious locals. You will be set up with ice cleats to make the 500m walk up to the viewpoint.
From Peyto Lake we will begin our journey back towards Banff. This itinerary allows time for activites at each lake while accounting for potentially poor road conditions. If time allows, your guide will add on some of their favourite bonus stops!
Lake Louise Skating Rink
Peyto Lake
Lake Louise Skating Rink
Jeez Louise!
(6-7 hours)
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The classic one!
This adventure hits the most popular sites in Banff. Starting the day off at Lake Louise, you will have the opportunity to hike, snowshoe on the nearby trails, or grab a hot chocolate from your guide and find a good spot to take in the views. You may even be able to try out skating on the world famous lake!
From Lake Louise we will join the Bow Valley Parkway. This scenic road follows the bow river and the iconic CPR line, offering a more laid-back drive, stopping at some of our favorite viewpoints in Banff.
Now it's time to hike! We'll arrive at Johnston Canyon, grab our ice cleats and get ready to wander through an ancient canyon. The trail stops at a tunnel to a stunning frozen waterfall.
There is an option to continue the hike to the Upper Falls too!
(5.5km, 274m) / (2.3km, 105m)
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For guests who don't want to hike as far, we can visit Marble Canyon in Kootenay National Park. This trail criss crosses another canyon, taking your breath away as you peer down into the canyon and finish at a waterfall.
(1.4km, 50m)
The Details
Itinerary Changes: Winter driving is unpredictable and sometimes roads close. We will make a decision about safety and road conditions on the day of the adventure, and make sure to fill in any cancellations with extra stops!
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Food/Beverage: We will provide a homemade snack and hot drinks for the day. For full-day adventures, we will always make time for a lunch stop, so you can chose between packing a lunch, visiting a cafe or sitting at a local restaurant.
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Activities: We will provide ice cleats and trekking poles. Ice skates and snowshoes can be rented for anyone who wants to give it a try! In the event that the ice is not safe for skating, all skate rentals will be refunded.
Inclusions:
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Door to door transport in our new transit van with panoramic windows so you don’t miss a thing
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Hot drinks and homemade snacks
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Ice cleats and trekking poles to keep you safe a comfortable
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All national park fees
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A friendly local guide to provide info and ideas all day
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An owner-operated touch. Your guide will communicate with you from the time of booking and answer any questions you have for your trip
STILL NOT SURE IF YOU CAN FIT A TOUR INTO YOUR VISIT?
Or maybe none of our options are the perfect fit? We've still got you covered! Our Private Adventures are fully customizable and can be booked for as little or as much time as you need. Want to see a few sights in the morning and spend the afternoon at the ski hill? We can do that! Want us to take care of your whole trip, including airport transport? We can do that too! We even offer discounts on our multi-day adventures. We are the perfect option for anyone who is unsure about driving in the unpredictable Canadian winter conditions, or who just wants to sit back and enjoy the sites while we do the heavy lifting. Reach out to us via our Request to Book page and we will work with you to ensure you fulfill your to-do list!
