Home Banff Columbia Icefield (Athabasca Glacier): 15 Tips for Visiting. 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. When it comes to places to visit before they disappear, the Athabasca Glacier should be on your list. Related Read: Banff in winter is also super fun! We just couldn't justify the price tag for this attraction - a whopping 36 CAD. 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. But there was one activity we had no doubts about, and we put it on our itinerary firmly straight away. You will likely find us hiking, scuba diving, eating as much food as we possibly can, or just drinking beer at a hostel. Make sure to keep a respectful distance from wildlife and never feed the animals. 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. Every year as more and more tourists flock to the mountains, the number of rescues goes up. Instead, theres a short Athabasca Glacier hike that will give you some impressive views of the icefield for free. For campers, there are two nearby campgrounds. We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. It will take you onto the Athabasca Glacier for a 90-minute adventure. These months inevitably collide with the holiday season, but there's not much you can do about it but plan your trip for the shoulder season months, such as late May and October. 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. There are a lot of great vantage points along the pathways where you can see the Athabasca River as well as caves and unique rock formations. It has already lost more than half of its total volume in the past 125 years and is shrinking by 16 feet every year. The falls are fed by the water runoff from the Columbia Icefield. As we still had plenty of time, we hiked to Wilcox Pass and tremendously enjoyed Parker Ridge Trail. The Athabasca Glacier is a large toe that extends down from the Columbia Icefield. Of course, very few will drive the parkway in that amount of time as there are a plethora of worthy stops along the way. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You can even get lowered into a "well" in the glacier using their equipment. If you'd like to support our work check out our shop for unique prints and souvenirs or support us directly here. Before you start the hike, enjoy the Sunwapta Lake's views (don't forget also to visit Sunwapta Falls later) which is located right next to the parking lot. Said that there is a campground very close to the Athabasca Glacier walk. Further travel is roped off and signs ask that you go no further. 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. Because the Athabasca Glacier is so accessible, its the most popular glacier to visit in the world. Ive marked the trailhead on the map above. There are a number of facilities at the Discovery Center. That's right, a short walk to the foot of the Athabasca Glacier is a must-do activity while touring the Icefields Parkway. 5. We are Dan and Bailey, just your typical thrill-seeking travelers! For the best weather, come in the warmer summer months in July to August. 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. Readers are responsible for ensuring their own safety. Planning ahead and booking one of the many Athabasca Glacier tours is the best way to see it up close. Another popular option is to rent a campervan or motorhome (only for the brave in winter.) Only a small part of the Columbia Icefield is visible from the road. 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 there are no coupons or direct discounts for the Icefield Discovery Center experiences you can buy combo tickets. When driving between Jasper and Banff youre pretty much left with the Icefields Discovery Center or the disappointing Saskatchewan River Crossing. The operating season is mid-April to mid-October. Although you can use public transport, on some occasions, it means your trip will not only require more time but more planning. You cannot simply Park and walk onto the Skywalk, the only way to visit is on a tour from the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre (located a couple of minutes down the road). The Icefields Parkwaya scenic drive over Lake Louise and Jaspercuts across the Columbia Icefield with amazing views of the Athabasca Glacier at its finest. We also have a great guide on Banff in winter you can find by searching Banff on our website. Youll spend an entire day sightseeing, including an Athabasca Glacier tour, Skywalk adventure, a visit to the Weeping Wall, and Athabasca Falls. The Icefield forms a high altitude ice-cap that lies on a plateau. Roughly you can plan on the center to open from early May to mid-October. Enjoy this 0.6-mile out-and-back trail near Jasper, Alberta. Location: Athabasca Falls is located in Jasper National Park just off the Icefields Parkway on Highway 93A. For a narrative audio tour around the Rockies, consider getting the Gypsy Guide. The Athabasca Glacier tours are available from May until October and book up quickly during the summer. The Athabasca Glacier is an easy day trip from Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. The Athabasca Glacier is a massive glacial toe to the expansive Columbia Icefield that sits on the British ColumbiaAlberta border in Canada. 4.5Facilities. 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. . 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. For better views, go on one of our favorite hikes nearby called Parker Ridge. Its $16.75 CAD per night for both campgrounds. This waterfall is beautiful and easy to find right off the highway. *Its important to note this Jasper hotel is closed in the winter and books up quickly in the summer. Athabasca Glacier lies on the Columbia Icefields Parkway midway between the Jasper National Park and Banff National Park. 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. Your guide will point out ice formations, meltwater streams, icefalls, and waterfalls. Leaving Jasper, travel 108 km (67 miles) south on the Icefields Parkway Highway 93N to the Columbia Icefield. This tour is family-friendly too since the hike is relatively easy and flat (5 km/3.1 miles in total.). For more information, read our guide on Camping in the Canadian Rockies. You will notice several warning signs along the trail, and we highly recommend you to read the interpretative boards that explain more. A short straightforward walk is all takes to get up to the rocky plateau looking out at the glacier. as the glacial winds here are strong and cold all year long! peak is one of many in the Canadian Rockies. 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. 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. Prepare for the possibility of wildlife encounters. IE 11 is not supported. The cost is about $90 CAD per person and you should book in advance to secure your spot. Read our disclosure policy for more info. 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. No matter which of these towns youre coming from, the road trip takes you down the Icefields Parkway. When is the Best Time to Visit the Glacier Skywalk? Its 6 km away from the Glacier Discovery Center and does not offer views of the Athabasca Glacier, but instead the Sunwapta Valley. You can combine the tickets with the Lake Minnewanka cruise, Banff Gondola, or Maligne Lake cruise for a discount. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Postcard - Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park - Alberta, Canada at the best online prices at eBay! I love this area of the world, so make sure you stop in eitherJasper,Banff, orLake Louise. 6 days, 5 nights; $4,000. We're a family who hike quite a bit - and so - are interested in. Length 0.9 miElevation gain 200 ftRoute type Out & back. Columbia Icefield Discovery Center is technically a regular visitor center with restrooms and a large gift shop, and a restaurant on the second floor that is located on the opposite side of the Athabasca Glacier parking lot. 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. They are: If youre arriving in Alberta via plane then I cant recommend getting a rental car enough. After the walk to the glass-bottomed bridge its a short, but thrilling walk for many as they peer down on the valley far below. To open it up in Google Maps for easy navigation just click the red pin. Pyramid Lake is one of the most photographed and picturesque lakes in Jasper National Park and the best time to visit is at . The ridge has tremendous views over the Saskatchewan Glacier that are phenomenal and the hike is easy enough to complete in under two hours. Picture this ice as far as you can see and the chance to walk on an ancient glacier surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. This massive glacier is one of six toes of the Columbia Icefield which is the largest nonpolar ice field in the world. We highly recommend booking an Ice Walk tour and not try to walk on the glacier on your own. The park spreads around 521 square miles (1,349 sq km) of area. All the bookings are done by timeslot and fill up quickly in the summer months. Easy 4.5 (1302) Jasper National Park. Youll have amazing views of the Sunwapta Valley, and the long glass-bottomed walkway thats over 1,000 feet above is a thrill! Thanks for the response. The melting snow and waters from the glaciers flow straight north to the Arctic Ocean, east to the Atlantic Ocean and west to the Pacific Ocean. 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. Jasper to Banff One-Way Tour. Its a pretty pricey experience that averages around $130 but includes the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. You can then continue onto the Toe of the Athabasca Glacier trail, a further 1.4 km (0.9 mile) return . I have been wondering if we could go to Skywalk first before our time for the Glacier field tour? Imagine that the glacier not that long ago reached beyond the parking lot where you started the hike, and in the next hundred years, there will be very little left from the Athabasca Glacier if nothing changes. You can check out guided ice walk tours here. Following these important principles basically means doing your best to leave beautiful places like the Athabasca Glacier as good (if not better) than you found them, both for their preservation and for the enjoyment of other visitors. The Columbia Icefield is considered to be the most abundant ice mass in the Rocky Mountains, extending 25 kms across the Continental Divide. Its field staff is rigorously trained, especially for the glacier tour, which also includes educational facts . The perfect-blue streams of water making their way from this wall of ice, rushing down rocky slopes of rubble that have been carved up by the retreating behemoth the glacier itself is only one part of the experience - the strangely barren cliffs all around you exhibiting the glaciers effect on the landscape is what makes it feel like youre truly somewhere unique. This short walk up to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier is located in the Columbia Icefield, the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains. The Skywalk is a one-kilometer glass platform that hangs above the Sunwapta Valley. 3-day tour from Calgary Airport If youre flying into Calgary,this touroffers the chance to see some of the highlights of this area with all the details taken care of. The Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier are closest to Jasper, with only about an hours drive to travel the 106 kilometers (66 miles). However, the majority of travelers won't probably even notice. Make sure youve fueled up in Jasper, Lake Louise, or at Saskatchewan River Crossing before you get here. On your walk through the dry glacier field you can see posts marking the glacier's retreat. The Athabasca Glacier is the most visited glacier in all of North America and it is spectacular. This gives you a chance to explore this area with a closer home base. Because the Canadian Rockies is a destination where the winter can be really rough, it is always essential to plan your trip carefully and have a backup plan, especially if you plan on traveling outside the summer season. The Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier are scenic spots you shouldnt miss stopping at if youre nearby. To see even more of this incredible area, hiking with an experienced guide is a great option. Youll also get a pair of micro-spikes (crampons) included with these tours, which are necessary for extra grip while youre walking on the glacier. Is it worth it? See the Acropolis, an ancient citadel perched on a hilltop overlooking Athens and visit Thessaloniki, the cultural capital of Greece. In all honesty, were not big fans of either the Ice Explorer vehicles driving on Athabasca Glacier or the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. Departs on Australia on 4 September 2023 & 20 May 2024. . The road is usually closed from November to May because of snowy and icy conditions. or visit eBay's page on international trade . A great place to try this is Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park. The Skywalk (pictured above) is an impressive glass-bottomed structure that hangs out into the valley offering some very stunning views. We suggest picking up a packed lunch in Banff, Lake Louise, or Jasper. 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. The highlight is a glass-floor platform where you can see directly down almost 1,000 feet below! C$203.96. Tickets for this experience are around $40 CAD. A great add-on to your trip here isbuying a ticket to go on the Skywalk. However, you can still come in winter to hike theToe of the Athabasca Glacier TrailI previously mentioned. Watch the blue circle signs with information about how much the glacier has melted over the years. 9 Vatnajokull Glacier, Iceland. There areso many epic things to do in Jasperwhen theres snow on the ground. 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. Here are the different tours you can choose from: On this tour, youll board a giant Ice Explorer vehicle to travel right onto Athabasca Glacier, where you can get out and walk around. Day 2 - Exploring Vancouver. A picnic lunch is also included. 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