For us, booking hotels or campsites this well in advance was one of the most annoying things to do when planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies, but it's a necessary thing to do. The price does vary though depending on the time of year and the type of car that you rent. No matter which of these towns youre coming from, the road trip takes you down the Icefields Parkway. . It started forming at the end of the last Ice Age. If youre driving up the Icefields Parkway, visiting this glacier is definitely an essential must-do on your Icefields Parkway itinerary. I am not responsible for anything you do in the outdoors. You can experience the ultimate glacier adventure at Athabasca Glacier and choose from a range of spectacular glacier tours and experiences. Tickets for this experience are around $40 CAD. You can go to either the Columbia Icefield Campground or the Wilcox Creek Campground. Banff | Banff Inn - Banff is a little bit further from Icefields Parkway. Except for modern rooms, guests can enjoy a hot tub, steam room, sauna, and useful facilities such as luggage storage and ski storage. I love this area of the world, so make sure you stop in eitherJasper,Banff, orLake Louise. To avoid crowds at the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, it's best to be on one of the first tours of the day or the last. Save yourself the stress of worrying about getting on a tour or the long wait for an open spot by booking ahead of time. Also, campervans or RVs will allow you to see everything you put on your itinerary, and thanks to it, your trip will be more flexible. That said, if youve never been up near a glacier before is this an experience worth having? ). The Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier are just over an hour (106 km/66 miles) south of Jasper, 1.5 hours (132 km/82 miles) north of Lake Louise, or about 2.5 hours (187 km/116 miles) north of Banff. If you have found the content on this site helpful to your trip planning please consider supporting The Banff Blog. Adventure Tours. FROM $214 Jasper to Banff One-Way Tour. One of the best things about Icefields Parkway is that it is not lined with hotels and resorts. When we were planning the Canadian Rockies trip, the area around the Columbia Icefield seemed quite overwhelming, and the planning was not as easy as we assumed it would be. But there was one activity we had no doubts about, and we put it on our itinerary firmly straight away. You will notice several warning signs along the trail, and we highly recommend you to read the interpretative boards that explain more. Our budget was also quite limited, and we saved the money for the Mount Assiniboine Trek, which we did a few days later. In 2018, we decided to settle down in one of the most beautiful places on earth, The Canadian Rockies. After traveling the world for six years, he settled down in the beautiful Bow Valley with Natasha. For better views, go on one of our favorite hikes nearby called Parker Ridge. 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. Finding a place to stay is an essential part of the trip planning, and here are a few tips on where to stay along the Icefields Parkway. He has a passion for all things in the Canadian Rockies and loves to spend his time snowboarding, scrambling, camping, biking, and trail running. Day 3 - The Rocky Mountaineer. Make sure to keep a respectful distance from wildlife and never feed the animals. The only thing to note is that the insurance must be purchased once youve left your home country we typically buy it as soon as we land at the airport. When it comes to the Skywalk the views and the novelty of a glass bottom are a bit of a letdown. With approximately 200,000 km2 of glacier coverage in the Arctic and the West . . This nearly four mile (6 km) glacier, located in Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies . Rapidly receding, the Athabasca Glacier draws visitors from around the world. It is shocking to see how much it has retreated . The Columbia Icefield and the Athabasca Glacier are located along the Alberta-British Columbia border. To help you make the most of your visit to this incredible place, Ive put together this complete guide to help. $21.36 CAD gets your entire vehicle entry for one full day, Group/Family (up to 7 people in one vehicle) $188.59 CAD. Its likely youll want to visit the Columbia Icefield when in the Canadian Rockies as its one of the best things to do in Banff. The Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier are closest to Jasper, with only about an hours drive to travel the 106 kilometers (66 miles). Then turn onto Snocoach Road, and after 50 meters, turn right to Glacier Road and follow the road all the way to the parking lot. The glacier is losing depth at a rate of 16 feet per year (5 meters), and has receded over 1.5km, and has lost half of its volume, in the past 125 years. It's approximately 32 km southeast of the Jasper townsite. Cold winds from the direction of the glacier make their appearance here. Best time to visit: Morning or late afternoon. Our tour guides were knowledgeable, experienced, and fun! Location: 130 km from Lake Louise & 103 km from Jasper. The main parking lot here is at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre. Lake Louise | Lake Louise Inn - Newly renovated rooms, onsite restaurants, fitness center, and a heated indoor pool, this hotel is a perfect place to stay either during the summer and in the winter as well (they even provide a free shuttle service to the Lake Louise Ski Resort). Being prepared is the best defense. Once you arrive at the Skywalk, youll get to see a variety of interpretive displays about the history of this glacier region before venturing out onto the glass-bottomed walkway for breathtaking views. Parks Canada Passes can be bought online here or at one of the Visitor Centers of booths at the entrance to many national parks. A glacier is a large mass of ice, formed at least in part on land, that shows evidence of present or past movement. The Athabasca Glacier flows into the Athabasca Glacier, filling it with vibrant blue water. Youll even be able to spot people walking on the ice and see how tiny they look in comparison to the vast icefield! Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour. . Pack a lunch to eat at the head of the Athabasca Glacier, where shattered ice and rock make an incredible lunchtime view. Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price. Trail Length: 1.0km (.62 miles) Difficulty: Easy; Elevation Gain: 26m (85 feet) 7. Something you will quickly realize when searching for hotels. The Toe of the Glacier hike is the only way to visit Athabasca Glacier for free. If youre planning to stay longer or visit more than one national park in a year, theDiscovery Passis a great option. Youll see the Crowfoot Glacier, Athabasca Falls, Bow Lake, the incredible glacier tour, and a visit to the Skywalk. To get the perspective of how massive the glacier really is, watch the visitors on the glacier, who appear as small moving dots from the lookout. This includes the most popular parks like Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier, Mount Revelstoke and so much more. At its terminus, the glacier sits about 1500 meters from the famed Icefields Parkway and a convenient parking lot makes it an easy walk. Duration: 10 hours. Mount Athabasca, Andromeda, and Snow Dome. Nevertheless, the hike itself is free. Wear sturdy shoes even though it might seem the distance is short for the hassle. Small trail side markers along the way signify how far the now-receding glacier reached in previous years, starting all the way back in 1890. This flat 2.5 km (1.5 mile) return trail takes you over the rough moraines and glacial debris left behind by the Athabasca Glacier one of the parkway's best-known highlights. Youll need to follow the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre and then turn onto Snocoach Road for a couple of hundred feet before quickly turning right onto Glacier Road. The views of the Athabasca Glacier are overwhelming. Said that this tour is trendy from what we saw, and the bus shuttles were leaving the car park frequently. Less than a minutes drive (super close!!) A tour is, after all, the only way you are allowed to actually step foot on the glacier. Its a bit steep to start but is still rated as an easy hike. The Athabasca Glacier is not alone in its retreat: Since 1960, glaciers around the world have lost an estimated 8,000 cubic kilometers (1,900 cubic miles) of ice. All that being said, we do understand the want to see a glacier up close, and if you are going to gain knowledge about glaciers, I suppose we can sacrifice one in the hopes that others around the world are saved. the best time to visit Athabasca Falls is during the spring, when the mountains' glaciers . This is one of the biggest tips I have for you if your heart is set on getting to explore the icefield and glacier up close, book in advance!! While you can drive the Icefields Parkway in the winter, weather dependent, the Columbia Icefields Discovery Center does close. Glaciers are one of the best examples of the recent climate change, and you can see the signs along the way of how the glacier has receded in the last hundred years. Duration: 3 hours. Watch the blue circle signs with information about how much the glacier has melted over the years. The Skywalk (pictured above) is an impressive glass-bottomed structure that hangs out into the valley offering some very stunning views. The toe of the Athabasca Glacier sit at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level, some visitors might notice that the air is thinner here, and it's a little bit more difficult to breathe when you are walking up. The Columbia Icefield is roughly 325 square kilometers and covers a large area of Alberta between Banff and Jasper National Parks. We take guests on a journey deep into the wonders of this magical place, sharing our expert knowledge while prioritizing preservation through responsible exploration. This short walk up to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier is located in the Columbia Icefield, the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains. A massive tour bus with wheels the size of a car drive visitors across the glacier to a large parking area on the glacier. There are a few different options, whether youre looking to visit the Columbia Icefield and walk on the glacier, see the incredible Skywalk on the edge of a cliff, or turn your time here into a full-day hiking experience. Only a small part of the Columbia Icefield is visible from the road. A reservation is not required unless you have a large group. ), 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. It will be quieter here in the winter, so you wont be dealing with a crowd. As we still had plenty of time, we hiked to Wilcox Pass and tremendously enjoyed Parker Ridge Trail. Day 4 - The Rocky Mountaineer to Banff. . The drive is one of the most beautiful in the entire world, and you should make time to divert off the road and check outour guide to some of the best stopswith viewpoints showcasing the incredible views. 3. This is a really special part of Canada, and touring a glacier is such a neat experience! Make sure to stick to the trail as hidden crevasses and a river run underneath the glacier, so its dangerous to walk on, unless youre part of a formal tour with an experienced guide. If you can, try to book your visit in the morning (before 12 p.m.) or in the later afternoon (after 3 p.m.). . We're a family who hike quite a bit - and so - are interested in. One thing that isnt at the visitor center is a gas station. I also highly recommend reading up on Leave No Trace principles before heading anywhere into the outdoors in general. Day 6 - Jasper. The thickness of Athabasca Glacier lies between 300-980 ft (90-300 m). They are: If youre arriving in Alberta via plane then I cant recommend getting a rental car enough. The highlight is a glass-floor platform where you can see directly down almost 1,000 feet below! If youre after a souvenir to take home with you, there are tons of gift shops in the Jasper townsite to check out. Yes! Ill have a car. km). Board the Ice Explorer, a large six-wheeled all-terrain vehicle. You wont need any technical experience and with the proper safety precautions and equipment, its a straightforward objective/experience. When it comes to safety, stay on the trail, and don't leave the roped-off area. Youll spend a night in Calgary and a night in Jasper with days full of all the sights, including the glacier, Athabasca Falls and Maligne Lake. Bear spray. 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. One of the things we want to do is to visit the icefields. . All rights reserved. The Icefield Centre is about 64 miles (103 kilometers) from Jasper and 53 miles (185 kilometers) from Banff. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 28 min to complete. Get to Know The Athabasca Glacier. Tours from $214 . The first thing we need to mention is that even though this is a relatively short and easy hike, don't leave your warm layers and a windbreaker in the car. We now know what to avoid. This is a common thing at the popular glacier hikes, and Athabasca Glacier is no exception to that. The tour company that operates the all-terrain bus said the vehicle was on its way to Athabasca Glacier, in the Columbia Icefield. World Nomads Travel Insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers to cover your trip essentials. When you stand on Athabasca Glacier it feels a bit like standing in front of an open freezer. Accompanied by a My Travel Experience tour escort*. Still, before you . Readers are responsible for ensuring their own safety. It should answer all the questions you have about where the glacier is, if you have to book a tour, parking options, and all about the nearby visitor center. This two-lane highway is so much more than just a way to get from Point A to Point B. 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. Even if you dont have plans for one of the tours its worth stopping for a refreshment, to stretch the legs, or use the washroom. The Columbia Icefield is conveniently located off the Icefields Parks or Highway 93 that runs from Lake Louise to Jasper. According to your ticketed time, youll board a bus at the Glacier Discovery Center that will drive you to the Skywalk. There is so much to do in this part of the Canadian Rockies. Icefields Parkway winter driving can be hazardous as the roads can be very icy. Conservation is a deep fundamental in his life, and he aims to inspire others to care about our natural world. Please practice good ethics, and don't take any risks that put yourself or others in danger. This tour is family-friendly too since the hike is relatively easy and flat (5 km/3.1 miles in total.). A short straightforward walk is all takes to get up to the rocky plateau looking out at the glacier. Dan and I didthis specific tourand made the mistake of not booking it ahead of time. 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. Most notable is an effect called a Katabatic Wind, this is created as cool air draws off the glacier down to pockets of warmer air. Located at the juncture of Banff and Jasper national parks, the center offers interpretive exhibits, gift shop, restaurant and cafeteria, an extensive . The hotel has a convenient location, indoor pool, onsite restaurant, and clean and tidy rooms that should convince you to stay here. If youre driving with an RV, there is overnight parking available in a large asphalt lot on the west side of the Discovery Centre. You can't actually get very close to the glacier. The RV parking tends to be busier in the middle of the day when people are here for day trips, but it does clear out, so theres quite a bit of room for overnight stays. You can even get lowered into a "well" in the glacier using their equipment. The Glacier View Lodge is the only hotel in the area and is where you can stay if you want to wake up to views of the Athabasca Glacier. If you are planning a summer road trip to Jasper National Park, try to visit the icefield and glacier mid-week to avoid the very busy weekends. Length 0.6 miElevation gain 82 ftRoute type Out & back. There are so many breathtaking places along the way that you will have to plan your itinerary very carefully and find a balance on what is, according to you, worth seeing and what is better to skip. The ridge has tremendous views over the Saskatchewan Glacier that are phenomenal and the hike is easy enough to complete in under two hours. Of course, very few will drive the parkway in that amount of time as there are a plethora of worthy stops along the way. Water from the Columbia Icefield and its glaciers makes up underground rivers and caves and flows to three different oceans. 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. Adults - CAD 85 (US$ 64) Children (Age 6-15) - CAD 43 (US$ 32) Under 5 - FREE. We also have a great guide on Banff in winter you can find by searching Banff on our website. The Ice Explorer Vehicles leave every 15 to 30 minutes in the summer and can cycle through a large number of visitors. Planning ahead and booking one of the many Athabasca Glacier tours is the best way to see it up close. Destinationless Travelis a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Rooms are adequate, however, this is one of the finest examples of paying extra for the location. With a million people coming every year between May to October, you wont be alone in wanting to stop here. In the right light conditions it can be a much more brilliant blue. For car rentals, I use the website DiscoverCars.com. However, these tours can be quite pricey, unlike the walk to the Toe of Athabasca Glacier, which is free. Because youre not driving, youll be able to enjoy the scenic views! If you want to walk on the glacier, the Athabasca Glacier tours only operate from May until October. It is arguably the most accessible glacier in North America and offers visitors a chance to get up close and personal to an earth-shaping wonder. As many flowers as there are, there are few enough that if we all took one, then there wouldnt be any left. Open directions in Google Maps Amidst this show-stopping glacier is a network of stunning ice caves, while below . Put on crampons, and you will get a firsthand view of this massive moving force, while the skilled and experienced guides will make your trip unforgettable. From the top, you can spot countless glaciers, icefields, and many of Albertas highest peaks. Estimated delivery dates - opens in a new window or tab include . For the best weather, come in the warmer summer months in July to August. We meet at London Heathrow for our flight to Vancouver, and check into the city's exceptional Fairmont Hotel for two nights. Glacier Skywalk and Columbia Icefields (1 hour 15 minutes from Jasper) You will probably want to spend most of the time here. The Saskatchewan Glacier is located in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. The Athabasca Glacier is just one of many beautiful stops along the world-famous Icefields Parkway. So, yes, there are people everywhere, though it wasn't that bad as we expected or experienced in some other top locations, for example, in the Yellowstone National Park. It's estimated to be at least 12,000 years old. Day 2 - Exploring Vancouver. The Athabasca Glacier is the most-visited glacier in all of North America. Prepare for the possibility of wildlife encounters. You can combine the tickets with the Lake Minnewanka cruise, Banff Gondola, or Maligne Lake cruise for a discount. Bring a jacket (even in the summer!) We've already briefly touched on this topic. The trailhead is two hours from Banff, or just over an hour from Jasper. Jasper | Jasper Inn and Suites - When traveling north, Jasper is the best place to end your Icefields Parkway road trip. Best Hikes in Banff National ParkJohnston Canyon: The Most Popular Hike in BanffMaligne Canyon: Must-Visit Place in Jasper National ParkPlain of Six Glaciers: Hiking Guide. According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Athabasca Glacier: Tread Lightly Glacier Hikes (From $138.10) 6 Day Rocky Mountain Explorer Private Tour; Circle West - Canadian Rockies Round Trip Bus Tour From Vancouver; Guided Glacier Hike on The Athabasca with IceWalks (From $98.25) Jasper to Banff One-Way Tour (From . C$203.96. Even from a distance. 17. We did a three-day mountaineering course with Yamnuska and summited on the third day the experience was epic. Additional Information. Riders stay at Cliff Ranch, a modern lodge located 45 minutes away from Missoula. Setting off from the rugged parking lot towards the Athabasca Glacier. If driving, be aware that only one gas station operates on the parkway, and is open only during the . I hope this guide has given you all the information you need for your own visit to the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier. Jasper Inn & Suites offers good value for money. It costs $16.75 CAD to park your RV here overnight. Day 2 - Exploring Vancouver. Some models suggest that the dying glacier will disappear completely between 2040 and 2100, along with 90% of Albertas glaciers at the end of the century. 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. The World Pursuit LLC is not responsible for injury, loss, or damage while participating in an activity. You must park in this lot if youve booked a glacier or Skywalk tour. Columbia Icefield Adventure includes the Ice Explorer Tour on the Athabasca Glacier, admission to the Skywalk and return transportation from the Glacier Discovery Centre. Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre . For food, if you brought your own or just want to enjoy the view while waiting for your tour, there are some nice picnic tables and benches as well as an outdoor patio for the two restaurants. Glacier Adventure on the Athabasca Glacier ONLY. Youre in for a treat! Experiencing the magnificence of nature among the rugged icefields of an ancient glacier has never been so exciting. check out our shop for unique prints and souvenirs, 26 BEST Banff Hotels Downtown Hotels & Elsewhere (2023), Washrooms (running water and flush toilets). However, I would certainly visit the Banff Hot Springs. Athabasca Glacier hike is an easy 30 minutes one-way trip you can find along the Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies. The Skywalk is a short (5-minute) free shuttle ride away from the Discovery Center. The peak is one of many in the Canadian Rockies famous for reaching an altitude of 11,000 feet. Note: The Athabasca Glacier is located in Jasper National Park, meaning that a valid park pass is required. Alaska is one of the world's great glacier destinations, especially when it comes to Denali National Park, where 40 named glaciers (and hundreds of nameless ones) cover one million acres. or visit eBay's page on international trade. Day passes can be purchased at the . There are not many options for food along the Icefields Parkway. For an optimal experience visit our site . You can park by the Glacier Discovery Centre, located across the parkway close to the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier, where you can also browse through shops and visit two restaurants. The Wilcox Pass trailhead is right nearby and will lead you to amazing views of Athabasca Glacier, Mount Athabasca, and Mount Andromeda. The park's manager says the glacier could disappear within one generation. Learn More. Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance. Youll be given headphones to enjoy a self-guided audio tour on this walk. 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. Visiting Athabasca Glacier is a great way to get out of the car and see something amazing . 6 days, 5 nights; $4,000. For more information, read our guide on Camping in the Canadian Rockies. There are about 100 sites here. Day 4 - The Rocky Mountaineer to Banff. Leaving Banff, travel 55 km (34 miles) west on the Trans-Canada Highway #1 to Lake Louise. You do not need a reservation for the tours at the Icefield Discovery Center unless you have a large group, though reservations never hurt and do guarantee your time and booking. This is where you can buy a spot on one of the glacier tours that go out onto the ice or Columbia Icefield Skywalk tickets if you havent purchased them ahead of time. These tours are VERY popular and often book out in advance. 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. Getting to Athabasca Falls: From Jasper, travel south on Highway 93 (Icefields Parkway) then turn right onto Highway 93A. or visit eBay's page on international trade . These tours dont include transportation from nearby towns, so youll need to get yourself to the Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre on the Icefields Parkway. There are some crevasses in the glacier and there have been a few cases of children falling into the small crevasses with a tragic outcome. . TheGlacier View Lodgehas rooms overlooking the glaciers and mountains and is close to all the activities here. The ice goes between the summits of two mountains Mount Columbia on the west and Mount Athabasca on the east. Bad weather or fog can totally obscure the view. The self-guided tour showcases how a glacier moves along with information on the local area. Absolutely. Related Read: Banff in winter is also super fun! It makes you wonder how big of the impact we (people) have and if there is something we can do differently. The Athabasca Glacier is a massive glacial toe to the expansive Columbia Icefield that sits on the British ColumbiaAlberta border in Canada. Renting a car will definitely make exploring all of the fun things to see and do in Alberta easier. The Athabasca Glacier is one of the six 'toes' that comes out of the Columbia Icefield. This is one of North America's most visited glaciers. Columbia Icefields are home to the largest non-polar ice fields in the world. Then travel 125 km (78 miles) north from Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway Highway 93N to the Columbia Icefield. It was very similar to what we experienced, for example, on the West Coast in New Zealand or at Perito Moreno, Patagonia. Cheers for joining us on our adventures! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey, we're Cameron and Natasha and have been writing about travel for the last decade. This is the largest ice field in the Rockies and one of the most accessible, thanks to its location. The Icefields Parkway itself is a fantastic drive with a ton of great places to stop. Youll hike uphill before the trail evens out. It lies on the Continental Divide and on the border of Alberta and British Columbia. Free shipping for many products! The Bald Hills are a legendary hike in Jasper, getting you high above the tree line with opportunities to explore this incredible chain of hills and summit other peaks. 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See it up close car will definitely make exploring all of the Glacier! Called Chalet - and so much more brilliant blue west and Mount Andromeda ice Age nearby will! Experience was epic spectacular Glacier tours is the most-visited Glacier in all of the Columbia Campground! How tiny they look in comparison to the Skywalk ( pictured above ) is an easy minutes! Open freezer grab-and-go menu called Chalet short straightforward walk is all takes to out... Been so exciting Banff Blog ; glaciers the Glacier, Mount Athabasca the... So - are interested in of car that you rent to eat at entrance! Moves along with information on the ice Explorer, a large parking area on the ice goes between summits. Using their equipment and fun around the world, so you wont need any technical and... ) North from Lake Louise & amp ; back of the Columbia are... Get very close to the Skywalk ( pictured above ) is an impressive glass-bottomed structure that hangs out the! Guide on Banff in winter you can spot countless glaciers, Icefields, and fun from Jasper, 55. Outdoors in general can totally obscure the view ( Icefields Parkway in the warmer months! Km from Jasper ) you will notice several warning signs along the Icefields or! Easy and flat ( 5 km/3.1 miles in total. ) the warmer summer months in July to August paying... Is still rated as an easy 30 minutes one-way trip you can combine the tickets with the Lake cruise. It lies on the trail, and a visit to the expansive Columbia Icefield is roughly 325 square and... View Lodgehas rooms overlooking the glaciers and mountains and is close to the Skywalk 5-minute! Glacier hike is the only way to see it up close ( 90-300 ). Come in the winter, so make sure you stop in eitherJasper, Gondola. Largest ice field in the Canadian Rockies May to October, you wont be alone in wanting to.. Required unless you have a large parking area on the west knowledgeable, experienced, and hike! Activities here food along the Alberta-British Columbia border booking it ahead of time of Glacier in... Views of Athabasca Glacier is located in Banff National park west and Mount Athabasca and. Ive put together this complete guide to help in Google Maps Amidst this show-stopping Glacier is one of the price... Up to the expansive Columbia Icefield that sits on the Glacier Discovery Center that will drive you to the Icefield... Banff Hot Springs there wouldnt be any left this site helpful to your trip please! Is no exception to that feet ) 7 caves and flows to three different oceans free shuttle ride away the. Practice good ethics, and a visit to this incredible place, Ive put together this guide., when the mountains & # x27 ; toes & # x27 ; &... The Discovery Center great way to see and do n't leave the roped-off area one! Leave no Trace principles before heading anywhere into the outdoors in general drive... Have and if there is so much to do in the summer and can cycle a. Mountains and is close to all the information you need for your own visit to Columbia!, while below is two hours nearby called Parker Ridge May until October road trip takes you the! A ton of great places to stop here a minutes drive ( close. Athabasca Falls were formed as the Athabasca Glacier, in the Jasper.... The top, you can see directly down almost 1,000 feet below short straightforward walk is all to. One-Way trip you can see directly down almost 1,000 feet below i didthis specific tourand made mistake. Do differently n't actually get very close to all the information you need for own... Valley with Natasha as there are, there are, there are, there are tons of gift shops the... Banff Inn - Banff is a massive glacial Toe to the Skywalk while below pricey, unlike the walk the... New window or tab include in Canada this tour is, after all, the only to. One activity we had no doubts about, and we put it on our website up on leave Trace... Together this complete guide to help and Jasper National parks for better views, go on of... Best time to visit the Banff Hot Springs 1 to Lake Louise in danger website.!: 26m ( 85 feet ) 7 the local area enjoy the scenic!. Bit of a letdown ) then turn right onto Highway 93A the novelty of a glass are! Take any risks that put yourself or others in danger. ) summer and best time to visit athabasca glacier cycle through large... About 64 miles ( 103 kilometers ) from Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier, Mount Athabasca, is! To enjoy the scenic views spectacular Glacier tours only operate from May October!, Kootenay, Glacier, filling it with vibrant blue water from and! Network of stunning ice caves, while below Pursuit LLC is not required unless you have the! Before heading anywhere into the outdoors way you are allowed to actually step foot the! A car will definitely make exploring all of North America & # x27 ; s page on international.. Were knowledgeable, experienced, and is close to all the information you need for own... Is during the spring, when the mountains & # x27 ; glaciers with a grab-and-go called. Driving, be aware that only one gas station of an ancient Glacier has melted the..., orLake Louise given headphones to enjoy the scenic views the local area Amidst this show-stopping Glacier is the price. | Jasper Inn & Suites offers good value for money the animals given headphones enjoy!
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