Icefields Parkway (Pass By)

Drive North up the breathtaking Icefields Parkway in Banff. This is a unique opportunity to see untouched alpine landscapes at a high elevation, glaciers, forests and lakes. You may spot some local wildlife and flora, such as American Paintbrushes, all from your seat on the bus!

Banff

The tour will start in Banff, collecting guests from different hotel locations then heading onto the Highway towards Lake Louise village, our next stop before heading north on the Icefields Parkway. Did you know Banff got its' name from Banffshire, Scotland?

30 minutes

Castle Junction (Pass By)

Guests starting in Banff will drive past Castle Mountain down HWY 1, a postcard moment for sure! This mountain is a striking feature and a popular destination for alpine climbers. Your guide will point-out the animal overpasses going over the highway, which allow a variety of species to cross the road safely. Fun idea: check out the timelapse videos posted by Parks Canada with wildlife use of the overpasses and underpasses!

Bow Lake

We will make a stop at Jimmy Simsons historic Num-Ti Jah lodge (meaning pine marten in the local language) located on the shores of Bow Lake. In the winter the lodge is closed but remains a point of interest for its spectacular log work. Bow glacier and Bow lake are the headwaters for the river that flows through Banff. Bow lake displays the stunning milky colour specific to glacier-fed lakes and is a frozen paradise in the winter! Restrooms on-site are outhouses only.

30 minutes

Peyto Lake

An outstanding and stunning lake seen from a high viewing platform; Peyto is the picture-perfect lake. Note this stop requires some walking from the parking lot - including in the winter - on a snowy and sometimes icy trail. Proper footwear needed. The guide may decide this stop is not in the right conditions that day and turn around (winter). However, we will do our best to show you all the different lakes and stops from the best angles possible and best available viewpoints, adapted to the day's conditions and group ability. We may also add, suppress or switch stops to make it the best tour ever!

1 hour

Lake Louise

We will stop at Lake Louise, famous for its pristine glacial blue water, home to the world-renowned Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Hotel. Take in views of Victoria Glacier, Fairview, the Beehive, and surrounding peaks. In the summer the ice-cold lake is of a blue colour you've rarely seen before, in the winter the lake is frozen and fascinating in its shades of white; you will capture your own photos of the moment.

1 hour

Crowfoot Glacier

See a glacier for yourself! We make a brief stop at Crowfoot Glacier along our journey on the Icefields Parkway. This is the guest's first opportunity to see a glacier up close and the landscape shaped by glacier crawl, on this famous drive. You will typically be greeted by local birds hanging out by the viewpoint.

15 minutes

Banff National Park

Spend a whole day exploring the best of what Banff National Park has to offer with your own certified guide, a small size group in a smaller vehicle. No delays due to passenger numbers. This will feel like a fun family outing!

1 hour