Columbia Icefields are home to the largest non-polar ice fields in the world. A massive tour bus with wheels the size of a car drive visitors across the glacier to a large parking area on the glacier. Free WiFi is provided. 697 m. 4.5-6h. Before visiting Jasper National Park its essential to read up on the Parks Canada rules that must be followed to avoid tickets and/or fines. You can stay right at the hotel that is part of the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, but it is the priciest option. A reservation is not required unless you have a large group. That is approximately enough ice to cover a two-kilometer-wide (1.2 mile-wide) swath of land between New York and Los Angeles with an ice sheet that is one kilometer (0.62 miles) tall. Having a motorhome is a stunning way to see Canada, and using crown land and campsites, you can often camp for free or very cheap in the most beautiful places imaginable! You need to make a reservation for the big campgrounds in Banff or Jasper well in advance or arrive there around check-out time and hope that they will have availability. 7. or visit eBay's page on international trade . With approximately 200,000 km2 of glacier coverage in the Arctic and the West . Our aim is to help you get the most out of your trip to Banff National Park and the surrounding areas. Athabasca Glacier Columbia Icefield Jasper National Park . Receive travel guides, stories, tips and photos to inspire your wanderlust and save money while on the road! Articles & Photography by Lucie Hermankova and Martin Tychtl, what to see and do, travel guide, top attraction, calgary guide, day trip, museum, what to see and do, travel guide, top attraction, best things to do, north america, british columbia, road trip, Johnston Canyon: The Most Popular Hike in Banff, Maligne Canyon: Must-Visit Place in Jasper National Park, Best Things to Do in Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park, The Ultimate Canadian Rockies Travel Guide, A Guide to Johnston Canyon Hike in Banff National Park, Where to Stay in Banff: The Best Hotels & Travel Tips, A Complete Guide to Moraine Lake in Banff National Park. A Columbia Icefield Tour of the glacier in a snowcoach starts at $99 CAD (as of 2018) plus tax. We highly recommend booking an Ice Walk tour and not try to walk on the glacier on your own. Alternatively, turn the opposite direction down a rough and bumpy road if youd like to walk up to the Athabasca Glacier, just near the large Sunwapta Lake. The Columbia Icefield is the largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies and covers around 230 sq km (89 sq mi) at depths up to 265 meters (1,200 ft). There are a number of facilities at the Discovery Center. Canada is a large country and traveling between cities and even just getting out to some of the best places to visit in Alberta requires transport. Only you can answer this question. Accommodation is very limited along this scenic drive, and your best bet is to stay either in one of that first-come, first-served campgrounds or bigger towns such as Jasper or Banff. Athabasca River is 1231 kilometers long river that originates in Jasper National Park at the end of Columbia Glacier and runs across the province of Alberta into enormous Lake Athabasca, spreading across the borders between Alberta and Saskatchewan. Columbia Icefield Adventure includes the Ice Explorer Tour on the Athabasca Glacier, admission to the Skywalk and return transportation from the Glacier Discovery Centre. Youll get excellent views of the Columbia Icefield, and in the summer, wildflowers are beautiful along this trail. 12 , Alberta. We were stuck waiting around the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre for three hours before there was an opening on a tour for us. You will likely find us hiking, scuba diving, eating as much food as we possibly can, or just drinking beer at a hostel. The Athabasca Glacier is one of the most accessible "fingers" coming down from the giant Columbia Icefield, the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains. It started forming at the end of the last Ice Age. Glacier Adventure on the Athabasca Glacier ONLY. If gravel biking is your other favorite sport, this Montana dirt-focused camp is for you. It is illegal to remove any natural object you find in Jasper National Park, from flowers to rocks, as its important to leave the environment as natural as possible for the animals and for fellow hikers to enjoy in perpetuity. February 1, 2018. Tickets for the experiences operate on time slots so its best to purchase your tickets in advance to avoid a long wait or the tickets being sold out entirely. Day 4 - The Rocky Mountaineer to Banff. The highlight is a glass-floor platform where you can see directly down almost 1,000 feet below! Accompanied by a My Travel Experience tour escort*. Follow the trail all the way to the lookout. In the right light conditions it can be a much more brilliant blue. The trail gradually leads uphill, with some steeper sections along the way. Adventure Tours. Mount Athabasca looms over Athabasca Glacier, but only a few get to see the view from the top. 17. More information on staying safe in the outdoors. Save yourself the stress of worrying about getting on a tour or the long wait for an open spot by booking ahead of time. Continue reading this blog post for everything you need to know to experience the Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park for yourself, including distance, elevation gain, how to get there, the best time to visit, and lots of photos of my experience. If youre looking for a tourist-free rugged wilderness experience, sorry but this is not it. So, your tickets to the Skywalk include roundtrip transport from the Discovery Centre as well as your admission to get on the Skywalk itself. How much will it cost to visit Glacier Skywalk? The Icefields Parkway, where the icefield and glacier are located, is maintained by Parks Canada, and youll need a Parks Canada Pass to drive along it, even if you dont plan on stopping anywhere. Day 5 - Banff National Park. It's incredible way to explore this . Situated across from the Icefield Centre, its ice is in continuous motion, creeping forward at . . Its a pretty pricey experience that averages around $130 but includes the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. The Ice Explorer Vehicles leave every 15 to 30 minutes in the summer and can cycle through a large number of visitors. A picnic lunch is also included. It's estimated to be at least 12,000 years old. Icefields Parkway Weather (Best Time to Visit) Just like Banff and Jasper, the Icefields Parkway drive is fairly mild and warm in the summer months and very cold in the winter. The visitor center is very busy in the high season, but there is not much to do except for asking for directions, information about the hikes and tours, or visiting a modest museum with a small theater. Believe us; you don't want to arrive in Banff or Jasper in high season without a reservation. The Athabasca Glacier is the most visited glacier in all of North America and it is spectacular. Parks Canada Passes can be bought online here or at one of the Visitor Centers of booths at the entrance to many national parks. When approaching the Columbia Icefield, in which the Athabasca Glacier resides, one of the first things you will notice (after the glaciers themselves) is the large visitors center on the east side of the road. Nevertheless, the hike itself is free. The Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier is a natural wonder that is incredible to see in person. At 6km in length, it is the only glacier in the area. These tours are VERY popular and often book out in advance. The Skywalk is a kilometer long walk that first moves along interactive displays where guests learn about the natural process that formed the Rockies along with the fossils. Look for the trail markings that lead you across a bridge and up towards the glacier. Whether it be buying a coffee or (even better) purchasing a unique print for your home from The Banff Print Shop all purchases help with the upkeep of this site that is updated daily. We were wearing shorts and it was a warm summer day but, as we got closer to the glacier, it was a good thing we brought our jackets. For campers, there are two nearby campgrounds. Very informative and helpful. Related Read: Banff in winter is also super fun! For more information, read our guide on Camping in the Canadian Rockies. If you're feeling brave, book an Athabasca Glacier Tour where you can walk on and drink from the 10,000-year-old sheet of ice (with an expert guide and the right equipment, of course! This is the largest ice field in the Rockies and one of the most accessible, thanks to its location. This article may contain affiliate links. We now know what to avoid. Theres a fine dining restaurant here focused on Canadian cuisine called Altitude or a cafeteria-style restaurant with a grab-and-go menu called Chalet. Print/PDF map. I am not responsible for anything you do in the outdoors. Sadly a boundary limits people from approaching the glacier itself, however the views from here are impressive nonetheless. Dan and I didthis specific tourand made the mistake of not booking it ahead of time. Prepare for the possibility of wildlife encounters. The Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier are scenic spots you shouldnt miss stopping at if youre nearby. Although only about 1.5 hours in length, it is a good experience and one you can easily work into your day driving the Icefields Parkway. Pictures cant capture just how massive this glacier is and how little you will feel while standing on it! Weve personally used SafetyWing for many different trips, and weve been reimbursed for countless expenses when weve fallen ill. SafetyWing even covered our flights back to Canada in full when the pandemic first happened (when last-minute flights before the borders closed were super expensive!). This is probably not for everyone as its a time commitment and is a great physical challenge, but definitely one of the more adventurous things to do in Banff. Its basically all the questions you thought you had and a few more! The walk should only take 10-20 minutes and is easy enough for kids to tag along. From the top, you can spot countless glaciers, icefields, and many of Albertas highest peaks. Information needed to plan a visit to the park at any time of the year is available on the park website. This pass will give 365 days of access to all participating national parks in Canada. 3. The Saskatchewan Glacier is located in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Now we live in Canmore and spend as much time as possible exploring and hiking around Banff. Booking in advance is also strongly recommended since these experiences do have limited numbers and are very popular! The Athabasca Glacier has been around for centuries. A glacier is a large mass of ice, formed at least in part on land, that shows evidence of present or past movement. If you're planning on traveling to Glacier National Park during April, you should expect temperatures topping out at around 53 degrees Fahrenheit and lows of about 30. After enjoying the views, we walked slowly back to the car park. Duration: 3 hours. While youre on Athabasca Glacier bring an empty water bottle as you can fill right up from the source of glacial water! Theres a reason so many people make this drive from Jasper to Banff or Banff to Jasper and stop along the way. Travelingfrom Banff in the direction of Jasper, it will take you around 2.5 hours to get the 187 kilometers (116 miles) to the glacier. Because youre not driving, youll be able to enjoy the scenic views! Adults - CAD 85 (US$ 64) Children (Age 6-15) - CAD 43 (US$ 32) Under 5 - FREE. From the center, you can book tickets on the Ice Explorer or Columbia Icefield Skywalk. The best time to explore this place is to visit in the morning during the summer season before the crowds arrive. The cheapest car with pickup and drop-off in different locations is around $100 CAD per day. The Columbia Icefield Skywalk is a glass-bottomed bridge thats just north of the Athabasca Icefield a popular stop on the Icefield Parkway. A tour is, after all, the only way you are allowed to actually step foot on the glacier. PLEASE do not walk on Athabasca Glacier unassisted without mountaineering experience and equipment. ), book the Ice Explorer Tour and Skywalk Tour together, on a tour from the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, book the Ice Explorer and Skywalk tours together, drive from Jasper to Banff or Banff to Jasper and stop along the way, Jasper National Park is just filled with fun things to do and see, stretch of road that connects Jasper with Lake Louise, tons of attractions on the Icefields Parkway, this guided hiking tour that takes you onto Athabasca Glacier, join this bus tour onto the glacier instead. If you are driving here in the winter, make sure you have winter tires on your car and always check road conditions, as snowstorms are common. The Columbia Icefield is the largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies and covers around 230 sq km (89 sq mi) at depths up to 265 meters (1,200 ft). Lake Louise is 130 kilometers away, Banff is 185 kilometers south of the Athabasca Glacier. . If you have time to look around, stop by the information desk inside the center for recommendations on what to do in the area. But there are a few other options if you have time to burn and very deep pockets. Day 6 - Jasper. Athabasca Falls were formed as the Athabasca Valley Glacier receded through what is today Jasper National Park. Best time to visit Athabasca Falls. Tours from $214 . Jasper Inn & Suites offers good value for money. One thing that isnt at the visitor center is a gas station. In fact, it's astounding just how much is packed into this route! Answer 1 of 6: Hi, My family of 4 is heading out to the Canadian Rockies this summer and we'll be in Jasper on the 25,26,27 of June. To reach the summit requires a long hike to a technical glacier crossing and then up an exposed face or col. The Athabasca Glacier is an easy day trip from Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. Thanks for the response. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to have a real glacier experience This brings us to the next thing we need to mention. One of the best things about Icefields Parkway is that it is not lined with hotels and resorts. Youll have amazing views of the Sunwapta Valley, and the long glass-bottomed walkway thats over 1,000 feet above is a thrill! See the Acropolis, an ancient citadel perched on a hilltop overlooking Athens and visit Thessaloniki, the cultural capital of Greece. And even though you can see only a tiny fragment of the whole Columbia Icefield, the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains, we are pretty sure the view will take your breath away. For a narrative audio tour around the Rockies, consider getting the Gypsy Guide. from. Still, before you start planning your trip, it is good to know that the side road that leads from Icefields Parkway to the Athabasca Glacier parking lot is often closed from November to May, depending on the weather conditions. This nearly four mile (6 km) glacier, located in Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies . These tours dont include transportation from nearby towns, so youll need to get yourself to the Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre on the Icefields Parkway. This short walk up to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier is located in the Columbia Icefield, the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains. Directly across from the Athabasca Glacier is the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre, where you can book a tour on an Ice Explorer snow coach that will take you right up onto the glacier. If you want to walk on the glacier, the Athabasca Glacier tours only operate from May until October. While were more mixed on the Discovery Center experiences both the Banff Gondola and Maligne Lake cruise are worth a visit for most. Glacier Adventure will allow you to travel onto the glacier in an Ice Explorer, a giant vehicle that's modified to conquer the glacier's icy surface. These hiking tours are different than the Ice Explorer tour because youll spend more time on the glacier and walk to parts of the glacier that most people dont get to see. It also includes the Athabasca Glacier Tour, Skywalk, and a mountain picnic lunch at Bow Lake, one of the largest lakes in Banff National Park. Please do not use my photos or trip reports without receiving permission. 4.5Value. The park spreads around 521 square miles (1,349 sq km) of area. . *Its important to note this Jasper hotel is closed in the winter and books up quickly in the summer. The park's manager says the glacier could disappear within one generation. I love this area of the world, so make sure you stop in eitherJasper,Banff, orLake Louise. Yes, but you wont be able to physically walk on the glacier as thats too dangerous without a formal tour. The ice in the center of this glacier is as thick as the Eiffel Tower is tall! 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