Snowshoeing Tour to Paint Pots
Starts atCA$ 99US$ 75€ 65£ 56A$ 107
Duration: 4 Hours
Age: 8+
Departure: 1:30pm
Season: Dec-Apr
Overview
Snowshoe on an easy trail along a bridge across the frozen Vermilion River and along the snowy path winding through a forest of pine trees to the Paint Pots, a cultural treasure within our National Park.
Learn about the history of the fur trade as you explore the fascinating Paint Pots, which are mineral deposits once used by First Nations people for rock painting.
Along the way, you will hear stories of Banff’s indigenous people, explorers, and fur traders who lived in and traveled through the Rockies. After this crisp winter walk, enjoy a uniquely Canadian treat: hot maple taffy poured into snow to make a sweet frozen dessert. Plus try a crazy carpet slide down the hill while it’s being made – kids and adults alike love this part of the tour!
This is an excellent trip for beginners as it covers a mainly flat terrain with minimal elevation gain, and also suits anyone wanting a pleasant activity outdoors and explore one of the Kootenay National Park hikes.
Highlights
The best parts of the tour for most people include the following:
Paint Pots
Beginner friendly
Fun in the snow
Crazy carpet slide
Maple Taffy treatTour Details
Tour Duration
4 Hours
Departure Time
1:30pm
Age Required
8+
Season
Dec-Apr
Walking Distance
3km (1.86 miles)
Included
- Hot chocolate
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Small group size (up to 12 guests per guide)
- Use of hiking poles
- Hands on interpretive tools
- Maple taffy treat
- Professional certified guide
- Snowshoes
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the tour?+
The tour commences at 1:30pm, and returns to Banff 4 hours later at 5:30pm.
What does the tour include?+
This tour includes transport from Banff to Kootenay National Park in British Columbia (around 45 minutes from Banff) for a 3km (1.9 miles) guided snowshoe tour. This tour provides an easy introduction to snowshoeing on a mainly flat terrain and guests will snowshoe up Ochre Creek Valley to the bubbling cold-springs and orange ochure used for thousands of years by the Indigenous people as a natural pigment. Plus, all snowshoeing tours include hot chocolate and a maple taffy treat made in the snow. Please note that water is not provided and you may wish to bring your own.
The tour includes the use of snowshoes and we have hiking poles for extra stability if you would like to use them.
Where is our pick up and drop off from?+
We pick up from most hotels in Banff and the train station, you can select your preferred pick-up location during the booking process. For drop-offs, our guide will ask you on the way back where you would like to be dropped off, either in town or at your hotel or train station.
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 a popular central downtown meeting point is the public bus parking area behind the Mt Royal Hotel (the hotel address is 138 Banff Avenue).
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 is snowshoeing?+
Snowshoeing is a form of hiking. Snowshoes are worn over your boots to distribute your weight over the snow. It’s way more fun and less tiring than walking in regular shoes through deep snow!
What equipment is provided?+
The tour includes the use of snowshoes and hiking poles. You can bring your own snowshoes if you wish, but we recommend using ours.
Do I need to have experience snowshoeing?+
This tour is suitable for beginners. You should be physically fit enough to walk up and down a few hills, and walk at a comfortable pace for 3 kilometres.
What should I wear/bring?+
Please be prepared for the mountain weather, it changes quickly and our winter tours run in anything from -27C (-17F) to +10C (+50F). Wind chill can change the temperature dramatically and you will be outside for the majority of your tour.
To ensure that you enjoy the tour, please read the PDF guide below on what to wear/bring:
PDF guide download
Please note that safety is our priority. If the guide thinks your attire or footwear isn’t appropriate and compromises your safety on the tour, you may not be able to participate.
Is the tour cancelled if it's too cold?+
If it goes below -27 degrees Celcius then we will not run the tour and we can reschedule your booking.
What is the cancellation policy?+
There is a 24 hour cancellation policy, which allows you to change, cancel, or refund your booking up to 24 hours prior to your tour (or up to 7 days prior for group bookings).
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
- The minimum age for this tour is 8 years.
- Children aged 15 and under must have a parent or legal guardian with them.
- All adults must sign a waiver , which will be sent through upon booking. A waiver must also be completed by the parent or legal guardian of any child under the age of 18 years.
- 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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