Grotto Canyon Ice Walk: Frozen Waterfalls Tour

Walk a frozen creek through towering canyon walls and stand beneath cascading icefalls

A guided ice walk through Grotto Canyon in the Canadian Rockies, departing from Banff, Calgary or Canmore, where you follow a frozen creek bed past icefalls and shimmering glaciers while discovering ancient Indigenous pictographs on the canyon walls. The trail suits all skill levels, with experienced guides providing ice cleats and ensuring safe passage through the narrow, snow-covered terrain.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided ice walk in Grotto Canyon

• Receive ice cleats or spikes
• Walk through frozen waterfalls
• Explore icy trails
• View ancient Indigenous pictographs

The experience

Three to four hours on the ice means time to move at a steady pace without rushing through the canyon. You'll follow a frozen creek bed deeper into the Rockies, with towering walls rising on either side and the sound of the winter landscape around you. The guide points out the icefalls as you approach them (frozen waterfalls that cascade down the cliffs), and explains what you're seeing in the geology and the history of the place. Ice cleats are provided and fitted before you start, so the footing stays secure even on the steepest stretches.

Ancient Indigenous pictographs are preserved on the canyon walls, and the guide shares their significance as you pass them. These carvings offer a window into the spiritual history of people who traveled this same creek centuries ago. The combination of the natural ice formations and the cultural layer underneath is what sets this canyon apart from other winter hikes in the region.

You choose your departure point at checkout (Banff, Calgary or Canmore), and the guide meets you there. Bottled water and the Canada Parks fee are included, so there's nothing else to arrange before you arrive. The tour suits families with children from age one onward, though infants will need to sit on an adult's lap during the walk.

What’s included

• Guided ice walk through Grotto Canyon with an experienced guide speaking English.
• ice cleats for all participants.
• bottled water.
• Canada Parks fee.
• fuel surcharge.

Options for this experience

3 options

Banff pick upGuide in English · Available from 1 Dec · 10:20Pickup at the Banff Train Station

Canmore pick upGuide in English · Available from 1 Dec · 10:00Pickup in Canmore

Calgary pick upGuide in English · Available from 1 Dec · 08:30Pickup at the Hyatt Regency Calgary Downtown

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 10:00 and 10:20Last departure this season: 31 Dec

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (11 to 78 years) · Child (1 to 10 years)

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by 1000HOST

Is this one for you?Choose your departure city at checkout (Banff, Calgary or Canmore) based on where you're staying, and the guide will meet you there. The three- to four-hour duration fits into a morning or afternoon without consuming your whole day, so you can combine it with other activities in the region.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 10 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the ancient pictographs I'll see in Grotto Canyon?

Indigenous pictographs are carved into the canyon walls throughout the walk, marking the spiritual and cultural history of the people who traveled through this landscape centuries ago. The guide explains their significance and what they reveal about the area's past.

Will I slip on the ice, or do the cleats really work?

Ice cleats are provided for every participant and fitted before the walk begins. They grip the frozen creek bed and icy terrain, giving you stable footing even on steep sections so you can focus on the scenery and the guide's commentary instead of worrying about your step.

How cold does it get, and what should I wear?

The tour operates in winter conditions, so dress in layers and bring a warm jacket, gloves and a hat. The guide will advise on what works best for the specific conditions on the day of your walk, and the steady pace of the ice walk itself generates some body heat as you move through the canyon.