This nearly four mile (6 km) glacier, located in Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies . The only reservations that are required are for the guided Ice Walk as it is with an independent tour operator not associated with Pursuit and the Icefield Discovery Center. The Athabasca Glacier is located along Icefields Parkway, a scenic 143-mile (230-kilometer) highway connecting Jasper with Lake Louise. Length 0.9 miElevation gain 200 ftRoute type Out & back. Its full of viewpoints to admire the scenery, stunning waterfalls, and good hikes all along this scenic drive. If you'd like to support our work check out our shop for unique prints and souvenirs or support us directly here. A picnic lunch is also included. or visit eBay's page on international trade . Of course, very few will drive the parkway in that amount of time as there are a plethora of worthy stops along the way. A short straightforward walk is all takes to get up to the rocky plateau looking out at the glacier. The Athabasca Glacier is a large toe that extends down from the Columbia Icefield. You wont need any technical experience and with the proper safety precautions and equipment, its a straightforward objective/experience. This tour is family-friendly too since the hike is relatively easy and flat (5 km/3.1 miles in total.). Athabasca Falls were formed as the Athabasca Valley Glacier receded through what is today Jasper National Park. The best way to let bears know youre around is simply to use your voice. He has been featured as a travel expert with numerous publications worldwide and has spoken on several occasions about the power of travel. The Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier is a natural wonder that is incredible to see in person. For more information, read our guide on Camping in the Canadian Rockies. 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. 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. 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. The Glacier Skywalk is part of the Columbia Icefield, and it's one of the most popular attractions along the Icefields Parkway. To avoid the crowds, visit outside of the peak summer months of July and August. Ill have a car. One of the things we want to do is to visit the icefields. Youll have amazing views of the Sunwapta Valley, and the long glass-bottomed walkway thats over 1,000 feet above is a thrill! 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. The Icefield feeds six glaciers of which three can be seen from the parkway: Athabasca, Stutfield, and Dome. It lies on the Continental Divide and on the border of Alberta and British Columbia. 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 . Even though the road connects Jasper and Lake Louise or Banff, Columbia Icefields Parkways can sometimes be blocked by snow and impassable. Best glacier tour on Athabasca!! Day 3 - The Rocky Mountaineer to Kamloops. 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. 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. Drive a short distance up the road and the parking lot . We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. The Canadian Rockies are a top tourist destination, and the prices match this fact. The Icefield forms a high altitude ice-cap that lies on a plateau. Walk to Athabasca Glacier's base on a well-marked trail from the car park and enjoy the stunning scenery of Columbia Icefield for free. . In case you don't want to read them, in short, several meters deep and hidden crevasses appear every few years, and there is a risk of falling inside. As time passes, the snow transforms into ice and begins to flow outward through gaps in the mountains surrounding the icefield, creating great tongues of ice called glaciers. To get to the Athabasca Glacier parking lot, follow the Icefields Parkway to Columbia Icefield Discovery Center (don't drive to the parking lot, though). Additional Information. We are Dan and Bailey, just your typical thrill-seeking travelers! Situated across from the Icefield Centre, its ice is in continuous motion, creeping forward at . When you see this behemoth slowly driving across the receding glacier, you might start questioning yourself if this is what this unique environment really needs. Renting a car is an essential thing to do if you want to get the most of your trip to the Canadian Rockies. Located in: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada . There you can disembark and walk around the glacier in a controlled environment. 17 Mar and Thu, 23 Mar to 98837. 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. For a longer adventure on the glacier, thisfull-day tourlets you spend 6 hours exploring the glacier with a guide. 13 Mar and Fri, 17 Mar to 23917. The main parking lot here is at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre. Many climbers in the Rockies have the lifetime goal of summiting all 54 (58) of the peaks, and they are considered classic mountaineering objectives. Further travel is roped off and signs ask that you go no further. FROM $1,103 Circle West - Canadian Rockies Round Trip Bus Tour From Vancouver. as the glacial winds here are strong and cold all year long! If youre driving up the Icefields Parkway, visiting this glacier is definitely an essential must-do on your Icefields Parkway itinerary. This makes the visit more enjoyable, and you can focus on the incredible experience in front of you. This includes the most popular parks like Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier, Mount Revelstoke and so much more. 12 , Alberta. You can walk up to the falls and climb up a bit to get a great photo. If youre after a souvenir to take home with you, there are tons of gift shops in the Jasper townsite to check out. The World Pursuit LLC is not responsible for injury, loss, or damage while participating in an activity. We're a family who hike quite a bit - and so - are interested in. A glacier is a large mass of ice, formed at least in part on land, that shows evidence of present or past movement. When is the Best Time to Visit the Glacier Skywalk? After enjoying the views, we walked slowly back to the car park. The Parker Ridge Trail is a short 2.7 km (1.6 miles) trail just south of the Discovery Centre. There areso many epic things to do in Jasperwhen theres snow on the ground. For campers, there are two nearby campgrounds. An icefield is quite literally what the name implies, a large field of ice built up over the millennia. Located at the juncture of Banff and Jasper national parks, the center offers interpretive exhibits, gift shop, restaurant and cafeteria, an extensive . A tour is, after all, the only way you are allowed to actually step foot on the glacier. . This was such a waste of time thats easily avoided by booking one of the tours I linked above before you go. You can only go to the skywalk from the discovery center as there is no parking on the road, so you will have to go check in there first. 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). During the winter months (November to May), the visitor center is closed, and there are no tours of the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield. Athabasca glacier (6 km long, 90-300 m thick, 6 km 2 in area) is one of the six glaciers fed by Columbia Icefield, which can accessed easily by visitors traveling on Icefields Parkway. The Parker Ridge Trail is a short 2.7 km (1.6 miles) trail just south of the Discovery Centre. The Wilcox Pass trailhead is right nearby and will lead you to amazing views of Athabasca Glacier, Mount Athabasca, and Mount Andromeda. For a narrative audio tour around the Rockies, consider getting the Gypsy Guide. km). TheGlacier View Lodgehas rooms overlooking the glaciers and mountains and is close to all the activities here. 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. 4.8. Our content may not be reproduced without our written permission. The Skywalk (pictured above) is an impressive glass-bottomed structure that hangs out into the valley offering some very stunning views. It's estimated to be at least 12,000 years old. That road will take you right to the small parking lot. We created unique souvenirs you cant find anywhere else. Related Read: Banff in winter is also super fun! Wait for a day when you know there is good visibility. From Banff: Thisfull-day tourleaves from Banff and heads down the Icefields Parkway. The Athabasca Glacier flows into the Athabasca Glacier, filling it with vibrant blue water. We take guests on a journey deep into the wonders of this magical place, sharing our expert knowledge while prioritizing preservation through responsible exploration. Day 1 - Vancouver. 697 m. 4.5-6h. The shorter tour runs three hours and children must be at least 7 years old to participate. More experiences in Banff & Jasper National Parks. Yes, it can be. Wilcox Pass is a moderately challenging 4 km (2.5 miles) hike that starts at the Wilcox Creek campground. See the Acropolis, an ancient citadel perched on a hilltop overlooking Athens and visit Thessaloniki, the cultural capital of Greece. You'll get excellent views of the Columbia Icefield, and in the summer, wildflowers are beautiful along this trail. To help you make the most of your visit to this incredible place, Ive put together this complete guide to help. Another great alternative is Viator. Saskatchewan Glacier is the largest outflow glacier out of the Columbia Icefield. Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday. Picture this ice as far as you can see and the chance to walk on an ancient glacier surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. We just couldn't justify the price tag for this attraction - a whopping 36 CAD. Its a bit steep to start but is still rated as an easy hike. 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. Its field staff is rigorously trained, especially for the glacier tour, which also includes educational facts . 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. This is a really special part of Canada, and touring a glacier is such a neat experience! Situated between Jasper and Banff, this is a spot you dont want to miss if you have the chance. It is formed by the compaction and recrystallization of snow into ice crystals and commonly also contains air, water and rock debris. . No need to worry about safety as these glass panels are literally bulletproof and then some. The Columbia Icefield is home to one of the most accessible glaciers in the world and is a great experience to take in along the Icefields Parkway. It started forming at the end of the last Ice Age. Athabasca Glacier happens to be the most accessible glacier in the Canadian Rockies and well worth a stop. Here are our top picks for accommodation along the Icefields Parkway in the mid-range category. 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. . check out our shop for unique prints and souvenirs, 26 BEST Banff Hotels Downtown Hotels & Elsewhere (2023), Washrooms (running water and flush toilets). While there are no coupons or direct discounts for the Icefield Discovery Center experiences you can buy combo tickets. The Icefields Parkway is widely considered as one of the best scenic drives in the world. From Lake Louise the center is 130 km and takes around two hours to reach. But with this popularity comes a few challenges when it comes to planning your visit. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Postcard Athabasca Glacier Columbia Icefields Jasper National Park Alberta at the best online prices at eBay! The views of the Athabasca Glacier are overwhelming. The glacier is about 13 kilometers (8.1 mi) long and covers around 30 sq km . This waterfall is beautiful and easy to find right off the highway. The Columbia Icefields Discovery Center acts as the gateway for many visitors with interactive exhibits, tours, and features such as the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. Location: Athabasca Falls is located in Jasper National Park just off the Icefields Parkway on Highway 93A. Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour. Including transportation from Banff and lunch,this glacier touris the most popular option as it gets you access to the incredible glacier walk as well as a pretty sweet add-on with the Skywalk. If youre just interested in exploring the glass-bottomed walkway high above Jasper National Park,this tourgets you there! Free WiFi is provided. But there was one activity we had no doubts about, and we put it on our itinerary firmly straight away. The views are sublime in all directions - definitely a great trail in Jasper National Park. The best way to get from Canmore to Athabasca Glacier (Land) costs only $100 and takes just 4 hours. As many flowers as there are, there are few enough that if we all took one, then there wouldnt be any left. 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. To get a better view from the lookout, bring binoculars or a mirrorless camera with a telephoto lens. The Athabasca is the most-visited glacier on the North American continent. When it comes to the Skywalk the views and the novelty of a glass bottom are a bit of a letdown. We now know what to avoid. You could easily spend an entire summer here! The Columbia Icefield Skywalk is a glass-bottomed bridge thats just north of the Athabasca Icefield a popular stop on the Icefield Parkway. If you can, try to book your visit in the morning (before 12 p.m.) or in the later afternoon (after 3 p.m.). 5.0. Columbia Icefield Campground has 33 tent-only sites that are first-come, first-served. BEST TIME TO VISIT. Banff Inn is a perfectly located hotel and a great place to stay both in the summer and winter. Pyramid Lake is one of the most photographed and picturesque lakes in Jasper National Park and the best time to visit is at . Delivery time is estimated using our proprietary method which is . Athabasca Glacier Columbia Icefield Jasper National Park . 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). The Columbia Icefield is roughly 325 square kilometers and covers a large area of Alberta between Banff and Jasper National Parks. 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