Banff & Jasper: Columbia Icefield, Peyto & Bow Lake Day Trip

Summary

Chill air at Columbia Icefield, wild lakes and glacier views all day

You’ll ride out from Calgary or Banff with a local guide who knows every bend in the road and every story behind these wild places. Feel glacier air on your face at Crowfoot Glacier, snap photos of turquoise Bow Lake and Peyto Lake, and if it’s winter, crunch through Johnston Canyon’s icy trails. There’s something about these mountains that lingers after you leave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore glaciers and lakes in Rockies

• Pickup from Calgary, Banff, or Canmore
• Drive to Banff and Jasper National Parks
• Visit Crowfoot Glacier viewpoint
• Stop at Bow Lake for views and photos
• Explore Peyto Lake viewpoint
• Visit Herbert Lake viewpoint
• Stop at Bow Lake viewpoint
• Visit Waterfowl Lake viewpoint
• Lunch break at Lake Louise Village
• Explore Lake Louise area
• Winter only: Hike Johnston Canyon
• Return to pickup point

Top questions

Is pickup included for this Columbia Icefield tour?

Yes, pickup is available from Calgary, Banff or Canmore depending on your booking.

Do I need to buy tickets for Columbia Icefield Skywalk?

No, Skywalk tickets are not included in this price; you can purchase them separately if open.

What happens if Columbia Icefield is closed in winter?

The tour swaps in Johnston Canyon instead when Columbia Icefield activities close for winter season.

How long do we stop at Lake Louise?

You get about 60 minutes at Lake Louise to explore or grab lunch in the village.

Are meals included during this day trip?

No meals are included; lunch is at your own expense during the stop at Lake Louise Village.

Can I join if I’m traveling with an infant?

Yes, specialized infant seats are available upon request for this tour.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

This tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What should I bring for hiking Johnston Canyon?

Wear sturdy shoes and dress warmly; trails can be icy especially between October and May.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Calgary, Banff or Canmore in an air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water provided along the way. All sightseeing stops are guided by a local expert who shares stories and history throughout the route before returning you to your original pickup point in the evening.

What’s the experience like?

“You see that shape? Looks like a crow’s foot,” our driver, Sam, said as we pulled over by Crowfoot Glacier. He grinned in the mirror, waiting for us to spot it ourselves. I squinted through the window — honestly, I’d never seen a glacier up close before. The air smelled sharp and cold even from the van, and when we stepped out, it hit me harder than coffee. There was this hush over the group for a minute while everyone just stared up at those weirdly blue shadows on the ice. It’s funny how quiet people get around big things like that.

The drive up the Icefields Parkway is kind of hypnotic — one lake after another, each one bluer than the last. Bow Lake looked almost fake in the morning light (I mean, how is water that color?), but our guide Li said it’s all glacier melt and minerals. She told us stories about old explorers getting lost up here — I half expected to see someone in tweed pop out from behind a pine tree. Lunch was at Lake Louise Village; nothing fancy but warm soup hits different when your hands are cold from taking too many photos outside.

We didn’t do the Skywalk this time (it’s closed for winter), but standing near where it starts you can still feel that drop into Sunwapta Valley — my stomach did a little flip just thinking about walking on glass above all that emptiness. In winter they swap in Johnston Canyon instead; we got lucky with dry weather so we could hike to the frozen waterfalls. The sound of boots crunching on snow and water moving under ice sticks with me more than any postcard shot ever could.

Peyto Lake was our last stop before heading back toward Calgary. It really does look like a wolf’s head from above — Li laughed when I tried to pronounce “Peyto” right (I probably butchered it). On the way home everyone went quiet again, tired but sort of glowing. I keep thinking about that silence — not awkward, just full.