Experience the Magic of Winter in Banff
Winter in Banff is absolutely magical. Explore frozen waterfalls, skate on world-renowned lakes, try snowshoeing in fresh powder and enjoy a winter wonderland!
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This winter, we are offering custom private tours. Join our friendly and knowledgable guides as they share the fascinating history of Banff National Park while safely navigating the winding winter roads. The itinerary can be custom made to suit your family's bucket list stops, or we can include some of our favourite hidden gems!
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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!
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Below are some sample tours we put together to give you an idea of all the adventures that can be had during winter. We are happy to accomodate any request, so let your imagination run wild and send us a message if you want to get started!
Private Winter Adventures
Winter Wonderland
(4 hours)
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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!
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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Sample stops include:
Bow Falls, Surprise Corner, Hoodoos Lookout, Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake, Vermillion Lakes, Mt. Norquay​ Viewpoint
Lake Minnewanka
Johnston Canyon Secret Cave
Frozen Falls
(5-6 hours)
The adventurous one!
Embark on an epic journey of ancient rock and turbulent 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
(8 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 and peaks to discover ice covered lakes. Our first stop is Peyto Lake, a lake named after one of our favourite explorers with a cool wolf-shaped outliine. 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!
(8 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 anient 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!
(2.3km or 5.5km)
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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)​​
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. We will always make time for a lunch stop, so you can chose between packing a lunch, visiting a cafe or sitting in at a local restaurant.
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Activites: We will provide ice cleats and snow shoes. Ice skates 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.
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Other options: There's lots to do in winter! Here are some ideas:
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Banff Upper Hot Springs
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Banff Gondola
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Snow tubing at Mt. Norquay
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Snowshoeing to Paint Pots
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Dog sledding
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Emerald Lake
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Sleigh Rides
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Yamnuska Wolf Sanctuary
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!
Mt. Norquay Lookout