Winter Canyoning

Half Day - MacGillivray Canyon

Hike, slide, scramble, and rappel through a spectacular world of snow and ice on our one-of-a-kind winter canyoneering adventure. Go off the beaten path, escape the crowds, and discover a hidden world in this visually stunning landscape, made accessible through our friendly and professional canyoning guides. Begin your adventure with a hike from the staging area to the top of the canyon. Once you reach the top, gear up with ice cleats, crampons, harnesses, helmets, and all the technical rope rappelling equipment you’ll need. Your guide will assist and teach you how to descend the various fun sections of the canyon. With guided rappels, playful slides, and stunning scenery, this unique experience is perfect for beginners, families, and seasoned canyon explorers alike. Discover a thrilling, family-friendly winter adventure located just outside Canmore and a short 25min drive from Banff.

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Quick Details

Location: Banff & Canmore

SKILL Level

Beginner

Length of trip

Half Day (approximately 3-4 hours

No. of Rappels/Slides

4 - 5

GROUP SIZE

2 - 8 people

AGE

Ages 8+

Seasonal Availability

Dec to March

Waiver Required:

(View Waiver Here)

What Will the Day Look Like:

After meeting your guides and other participants at the staging you will sign a liability waiver on site. Your guide will also provide you with all the necessary equipment for the trip. From the staging area an approximately 60 – 80 min hike up a narrow trail will bring you to the top of the canyon, and the start of your canyon adventure. Everyone gears up and your guides will show you how to descend and rappel safety. From the starting point of the canyon it will take anywhere from approximately 1 – 2 hours depending on the speed and size of the group to descend. The descent down the canyon will include some short slides, lowers, scrambles and rappels.

Minimum Age & Ability:

Although this trip is geared primarily towards beginners, this is an active adventure trip, and requires an approximate 1 hour to 1 hour 20min hike (with some uphill sections) from the meeting point to the top of the canyon. We require all participants tobe at least 8 years of age or older. Participants do not require any previous rope or rappelling experience.

Meeting Time:

Weather permitting we run two departures daily at 10:00am and 1:00pm

Meeting Location:

If you have a vehicle and if are looking to meet us at the staging area, the meeting spot is located at the “McGillivray slabs parking lot. This parking lot is just oﬀ eastbound Highway 1 and just past Deadman’s Flats located approximately 5 – 10 min east of Canmore and 25 min east of Banﬀ Google Map

PICK UP Options (BANFF AND/OR CANMORE):

Pick ups are available from Canmore and/or Banﬀ. If you are looking for pick up from Canmore or Banﬀ please contact our oﬃce or please indicate pickup preference when booking

Pickup time from Banﬀ will be 45 min prior to trip departure
Pickup from Canmore will be 20 min prior to trip departure time

What do We Provide:

We provide all the necessary technical equipment including ropes, harnesses, Helmets & rappelling equipment, as well as a dry bag backpack in case you want to take some extra gear or layers.

What Should Participants Bring:

It is recommended that participants dress appropriately for the weather, this includes proper warm winter footwear, layers, a winter jacket as well as gloves and a warm hat. Marino or fleece under-layers are recommended.The following is a good suggestion of what to bring for the trip:

Good winter boots with proper treads
proper winter jacket
Additional warm layers (optional but good for people who get cold easy)
Warm socks
Good winter gloves
Some water and some snacks

FAQ Heart Creek Canyon

Directions & Meeting Location

The Heart Creek Canyon Parking lot is located 17km east of the town site of Canmore and approximately 10 min drive from Canmore and 25 minutes from Banff. Look for the Heart Creek Trail exit

Trip Length

Although most trips take around 3 -4 hours car to car please note these are only approximations. We strongly recommend planning for additional time when planning your day. Occasionally due to factors out of our control, trips can take longer. Groups speeds can also vary a lot so please plan on being back later than the estimated time.

What About a Lunch & Water

We recommend to bring some snacks and a bit of Water. You are also more than welcome to bring a lunch as we provide water proof bags for your cloths and equipment. one water bottle per person is fine as the canyon is spring fed and provides a great opportunity to fill up you water bottle with fresh mountain spring water

Release Agreement

Participation in activities with Canadian Wilderness School Expedition/Bow Valley Canyon Tours involves risk, dangers and hazards. All participants must read and agree to the Waiver as a condition of participating in any activities. By signing you will waive or give up certain
legal rights, including the right to sue for negligence, breach of contract, or breach of the Occupiers’ Liability Act or claim compensation following an accident. PLEASE READ THE WAIVER CAREFULLY! The Waiver can be viewed here

The Waiver will be presented to each participant, for their review and completion, at the start of the activity. A refund will be given if a participant does not sign the Waiver. Take the time to read the Wavier before proceeding with your booking.

If you are booking for others, it is your responsibility to ensure you bring this Waiver
requirement and the terms of the Waiver to their attention.

cancellation policy

All trips may be subject to last minute itinerary change or in an extreme case even possible cancellation due to such things as unexpected water levels and/or weather conditions. Safety of all participants and our guides is ALWAYS our number one concern and so we need to make decisions accordingly. In these rare circumstances, please refer to our cancelation policy provided upon booking the trip.