Discover Grizzly Bear Tour
Starts atCA$ 319US$ 238€ 208£ 179A$ 344
Duration: 10 Hours
Age: All Ages
Departure: 8:30am
Season: Jun-Sep
Guaranteed departure. This tour runs as scheduled with no minimum group size — book with confidence, it won’t be cancelled for low numbers.
Overview
Meet Boo, a bear with paws the size of hubcaps, a mouth full of sharp teeth and enormous muscles moving beneath his shaggy fur. He saunters slowly through his 20-acre habitat in the Rocky Mountain bush, allowing you to watch him explore, hunt and forage just like his wild cousins.
You’ll also hear his personal story and learn about grizzly bear behaviour during your visit to the largest enclosed grizzly bear habitat in the world.
The itinerary features visits to the breathtaking Takakkaw Falls—subject to seasonal road access—Canada’s second-highest waterfall and the picturesque Emerald Lake. We’ll also take a gondola ride up to the top of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, where you’ll enjoy lunch with a view at the highest restaurant in Canada.
This tour has a guaranteed grizzly bear sighting or your next tour is free*.
Highlights
The best parts of the tour for most people include the following:
Take a chairlift to see Boo the grizzly
The Grizzly Bear Refuge Tour
Gondola Ride
Mountain Top Lunch
Emerald Lake
Takakkaw FallsTour Details
Tour Duration
10 Hours
Departure Time
8:30am
Age Required
All Ages
Season
Jun-Sep
Included
- Hotel pick up and drop off (Banff)
- Golden Eagle Express Gondola
- Grizzly Bear Refuge Tour
- Small group size (up to 24 guests per guide)
- Professional certified guide
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the tour?+
The tour is a 10 hour tour, which will begin in Banff at 8:30am and Lake Louise 9:15am. The tour will return to Lake Louise just after 5pm and to Banff at 6:30pm.
What does the tour include?+
The full day tour includes transportation from most hotels in Banff on a guided bus tour and an open-air chairlift ride to visit the Grizzly Bear Refuge at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. The tour also includes a gondola ride up the hill for lunch at the Eagle’s Eye Restaurant, with your choice of lunch options that you will select on the day of the tour. There are also scenic stops at Takakkaw Falls (when access permits, generally from late June onwards) and Emerald Lake.
Where is our pick up and drop off from?+
We pick up from most hotels in Banff and the Samson Mall in Lake Louise, and you can select your preferred pick-up location during the booking process. For drop offs in Banff, our guide will ask you on the way back where you would like to be dropped off either in town or at your hotel.
How can I join this tour if I'm not staying in Banff?+
You are welcome to meet us at any of our pick up locations in Banff to join the tour, and there is free parking at the Banff Train Station for up to 12 hours. Guests parking here can select their pickup location as the Banff Train Station (in front of Main Entrance). For guests staying in Lake Louise, please meet us at the Samson Mall in the Lake Louise village.
Most guests choose to self-drive into Banff, although please note that you will need to find parking in Banff that exceeds the duration of the tour. Please refer to the Town of Banff website for general parking information, or the banffparking.ca website for live parking availability. For guests staying in Canmore, you can also use the Roam bus service and disembark at the Banff High School. The closest pick up point to the Banff High School is across the road at the Elk and Avenue Hotel.
What should I bring with me?+
We recommend bringing your camera, and warmer clothes depending on the weather on the day of your tour. Wearing layers including a jacket is a good idea, as you will be getting on and off the bus during the tour and it tends to be cooler up the mountain. You may wish to wear sneakers or other sturdy footwear, as some of the pathways are unpaved.
What's the difference between the gondola and the chairlift?+
The gondola at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort takes you right to the summit at 7,700 feet, where you will enjoy lunch at the Eagle’s Eye Restaurant. The gondolas are enclosed, with glass windows and seat up to six people. The open-air chairlifts seat up to four people and will take you part way up the hill to the Grizzly Bear Refuge.
Can you guarantee seeing a bear?+
We almost always guarantee you will see Boo, the orphaned bear who lives in the Refuge at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
This tour has a guaranteed grizzly bear sighting or your next tour is free*.
What happens if you don’t see a bear?+
Although Boo is generally always out to foraging or playing in his refuge, there is a rare chance he may not be visible when you visit. You can take the tour again for free to see Boo.
How close do you get to Boo, can I touch the bear?+
You will view Boo from outside the fence of his refuge. Depending where Boo is in his refuge, you may be as close as 5 metres away! Or he may be much further away from the fence. Boo is a wild animal and you may not touch or feed him. A ranger is always present to answer any questions and talk to you about Boo and Grizzly Bears.
What is the cancellation policy?+
We require 24 hours notice prior to departure to change/cancel or refund a tour without penalty. Group bookings of 9 or more guests, as well as custom and private bookings, have a 7 day cancellation period.
Should I tip my guide?+
Tips are not expected, but are certainly appreciated. If you think your guide did a wonderful job and would like to indicate that with a tip, it will be graciously accepted.
Booking Terms
- All children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
- Early and late season bookings may be subject to itinerary changes. Please enquire at time of booking. Until Takakkaw Falls Road opens, alternative stops will be at the Natural Bridge and Spiral Tunnels.
- Infants (5 and under) are free of charge, but this does not include any food.
- Photo ID may be required for identity verification.
- By participating in a tour with Discover Banff Tours, guests are acknowledging that they understand that we may take video and photographs of them during their tour. These videos and photographs may be used in promotional materials including, but not limited to, social media.
- Please note that this tour requires a minimum of 4 participants, please call the day prior to confirm the tour.
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