About Us – Bow Valley Canyon

OUr Story

At Bow Valley Canyon Tours a passion for sharing unparalleled, once in a lifetime experiences, is at the core of everything we do. We are the premier and largest operator of guided half & full day canyoning tours in western Canada.

Bow Valley Canyon Tours was established in 2015 but its roots in the heart of the Canadian Rockies goes back long before that. Bow Valley Canyon tours was born out of its parent company the C.W.S.X (Canadian Wilderness School & Expeditions) specifically to provide and develop canyoning experiences. The C.W.S.X has been a small family owned and operated adventure tourism company with over 40 years of guiding and outdoor educational experience first founded in Jasper AB, it is now based out of the Banff/Canmore area, and continues to organize and guide small group adventure tours, outdoor educational courses, and unique off the beaten path sightseeing excursions.

Because we grew up in Jasper this is were our company originally cut its teeth developing our first guided canyoning trips over 10 years ago. Having already moved our operations down to the Banff & Canmore area, it did not take long to discover and realize the incredible potential for once in a lifetime canyoning trips in Banff & this part of the rockies. Starting in 2015 B.V.C.T was established and we began developing the trips that become the core of the incredible experiences that we offer today. We continue to push the envelope every season to add and refine our trips to ensure we provide the absolute best experience possible for our guests.

Meet OUr incredible Team:

Marc Niehaus (owner)

Marc is the owner & director of Bow Valley Canyon Tours as well as its lead instructor. Marc was born and raised in and around Jasper Alberta and has his heart has remained in the Rockies living now, for over 15 years in the Banff & Canmore area. Marc has close to 25 years of guiding experience all over northern and western Canada. In a previous life he was once a high school science teacher, but he is also a certified ACA pro Canyoning guide, Professional IGA 4 Season Hiking Guide, ACMG top rope instructor, paddling guide, and survival instructor. His passions include anything outdoors be it rock climbing, ice climbing, Mountain biking or just sitting enjoying a good cup of coffee with and amazing view!! I look forward to seeing you out on one of our amazing canyon trips!!

Our Guides

Kris Roney

Kris is born and raised in Calgary AB and calls the mountains of Banff & Canmore home. He has been with Bow Valley Canyon Tours for four seasons and he is a graduate of the College of the Rockies outdoor Skills Academy in Fernie BC. He is a ACA Certified Single Site Canyon guide and and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to canyoning and guiding. In his free time has loves exploring the many canyons in the remote Ghost area.

Lawrence McIntyre

Lawrence originates from the UK but has been living in Banff for over a year. Lawrence is passionate about all things outdoors but especially canyoning, having tried it for the first time in Wales and falling in love with the sport. Lawrence is an ICO-pro certified guide and in the past, took any opportunity to explore canyons across Europe. He ended up staying in Banff and the Canadian Rockies due to the unparalleled opportunities for outdoor adventure and he cannot wait to see you out in our canyons this summer!

Pablo Mas Molto

Pablo has been with Bow Valley Canyon Tours for two years, an he is certified both as a mountain guide & Canyoning guide in Spain as well as an ACA single site guide working towards his full Pro certification in North America. Pablo has worked as a hiking and canyon guide all over the world, and his vast experience, in depth knowledge of canyoning, humour, and simply the joy he brings to guiding has been an invaluable asset to our team over the past two years!

Oliver Niehaus

This will be Oliver's Second year with Bow Valley Canyon tours. Oliver grew up in the Canadian Rockies around Jasper AB and he is an avid rock climber, and mountain biker and generally is passionate about all things outdoors. Comfortable on ropes as much as with his rubics cube, when Oliver decided he had had enough of his previous office job and joined the B.V.C.T team his wide range of skills and talents have been invaluable

Markus Tiefenbacher

Markus Tiefenbacher is an adventure enthusiast with a passion for anything outdoors. Born in Austria and originally trained as a carpenter, he has always had a love for working with his hands and being surrounded by nature. Over the years, he has turned his hobbies into a career, and now, he works as a mountain bike, canyoning guide, and in the winter as a ski and snowboard instructor!

Matteo Lefner

Matteo, I'm originally from Munich, Germany but grew up in Ontario Canada. Matteo fell in love with the outdoors at a very young age, growing up skiing and Hiking in the Alps. Matteo has been living in the Rockies for the past 2 years pursuing his passion and he is now a graduate of the Timberline Academy outdoor guiding program in Banff. He is looking forward to continue his training as a canyoning and hiking guide

Jitka Oubrechtová

Jitka has been living in Canmore and the Bow Valley for close to 8 years. Originally from Czechoslovakia she now calls the Bow Valley home! Jitka is a certified Single Site Canyoning guide and her passions involve anything in the mountains. Be it rock climbing in the summer or Ice climbing in the winter for Jitka there is just never enough time to get out and enjoy the mountains!

Joris Van Bergen

Joris has been living in Banff for several years now and he is a graduate of the Timberline Outdoor Guiding Academy in Banff We will let him tell you the rest: "Hi there 👋 it’s your average 6 foot, blue eyes, blond hair Dutch guy. I ran away from the cities in the Netherlands and now I spend my days guiding and doing fun things in the mountains. I don’t go many places without my camera and love taking photos. See you out there! 🫡"

Brendan Horncastle

Hi my name is Brendan, I come from the Maritimes, and I came to Alberta with the Army a few years ago. I love adventuring, climbing, skiing, and eating snacks with my son, Cliffy! Super stoked to get out and have some fun with everyone! Brendan has been living in Banff for over two years and he is a graduate of the Timberline Outdoor Guide Academy in Banff

At Bow Valley Canyon Tours all our guides are certified through the American Canyoneering Association (ACA). The ACA is the most respected, well established, and most rigorous body for certifying professional canyon guides in North America. In addition t this our guides often posses a wide range of additional skills, experience, and certifications, to ensure all participants have the absolute best experience possible.