Columbia Icefield (Athabasca Glacier) Experience
The Athabasca Glacier is a massive glacial toe to the expansive Columbia Icefield that sits on Canada’s British Columbia/Alberta border. It is arguably the most accessible glacier in North America and offers visitors a chance to get up close and personal with an earth-shaping wonder.
The Columbia Icefields Discovery Center is the gateway for many visitors with interactive exhibits, tours, and features like the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. Here lies the opportunity to stand on a glacier, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
You’ll likely want to visit the Columbia Icefield in the Canadian Rockies, especially if you’re already driving the Icefields Parkway, as it’s one of the best things to do in Banff/Jasper. Here are some helpful tips for visiting the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield.
Get to Know The Athabasca Glacier
The Columbia Icefield is the largest in the Canadian Rockies and covers around 230 sq km (89 sq mi) at depths up to 265 meters (1,200 ft). The Icefield forms a high-altitude ice cap that lies on a plateau. The Athabasca Glacier is a large toe extending from the Columbia Icefield.
Athabasca Glacier sits at the base of several notable Canadian Rocky peaks, such as Mount Athabasca, Andromeda, and Snow Dome. These peaks sit along the continental divide, and most notable is Snow Dome, where water from its peak flows to the Pacific, Atlantic, or Arctic Ocean.
At its terminus, the glacier sits about 1500 meters from the famed Icefields Parkway, and a convenient parking lot makes it an easy walk to reach. The proximity and the nearby Columbia Icefield Discovery Center make it possibly the most easily accessible glacier in the world. You can reach the glacier from your car in about 20-30 minutes.
Where is the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre?
The Glacier Discovery Centre is located on the Icefields Parkway—1 hour south of Jasper and 2.5 hours north of Banff.
From Banff, travel 55 km west on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) to Lake Louise. Then, it’s another 125 km north from Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield. Along the way, you’ll pass so many fantastic stops like Bow Lake and Peyto Lake, so make sure to read our Icefields Parkway guide for the best stops.
From Jasper, travel 108 km south on the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 N) stopping at attractions like Sunwapta Falls and Athabasca Falls on your way to the Columbia Icefield.
Here is the location on Google Maps
**All vehicles must park at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre for the Columbia Icefield Adventure Tour (Ice Explorer Vehicle+Skywalk). Visitors to the Skywalk must take the included shuttle from the Centre.
Columbia Icefield Tour Offerings
The Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre is a hub for visitors who seek a closer look at the glacier. A lodge, gift shop, cafeteria, theatre, fine dining experience, and tour center are all located at the center. You can book tickets from the center on the Ice Explorer or Columbia Icefield Skywalk. However, booking these online in advance is recommended if visiting during peak season.
Ice Explorer Trucks
The Ice Explorer is the most popular tour and experience on the Athabasca Glacier. The tour takes visitors high up the glacier and drops them off on the glacier to experience it first-hand. This is done with massive trucks that drive up the steep moraines of the glacier before driving across it to a designated area.
The designated area is a roped-off area free of crevasses that is safe to explore, granted it’s not a vast space. The trucks are pretty interesting, and it’s definitely something that will thrill young children. Once you arrive at the Athabasca Glacier, you can walk around the small area for about half an hour to take in the views. There are guides to inform you about the significance of glaciers, and many will get to drink straight from the glacier itself!
It’s a pretty pricey experience that averages over $100 but includes the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. However, it allows for a much closer experience with the dramatic peaks and glaciers. As mentioned, tickets include the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, so the whole experience takes several hours.
The Columbia Icefield Adventure ticket with the Glacier Skywalk includes the Ice Explorer. You cannot just purchase the Ice Explorer adventure on its own – the experience is only offered in conjunction with The Icefield Skywalk. The Skywalk is a one-kilometer glass platform that hangs above the Sunwapta Valley. A shuttle bus leaves from the Discovery Centre every fifteen minutes to the Skywalk, which is 6 km away.
You can book tickets online, but I wouldn’t recommend booking too far in advance as, similar to Banff Gondola and Jasper Skytram, your experience can vary significantly with the weather due to poor visibility.
The Glacier Discovery Centre, Skywalk, and Ice Explorer Tour all open on May 4th, 2024. You can book tickets on the Banff Jasper Collection website, or through a third party like Viator or GetYourGuide, which I find have a less confusing website. All tours, no matter where you book them, are run by Pursuit.
The Columbia Icefield Skywalk
The Columbia Icefield Skywalk is a glass-bottomed bridge just north of the Athabasca Icefield and is a popular stop on the Icefield Parkway. Tickets for the experiences operate on time slots, so purchasing your tickets in advance is best to avoid a long wait or the tickets being sold out entirely.
According to your ticketed time, you’ll board a bus at the Glacier Discovery Center that will drive you to the Skywalk. You cannot drive to the Skywalk yourself as there is nowhere to park. The actual Skywalk is 6 km from the Glacier Discovery Center and does not offer many views of the Athabasca Glacier, but instead the Sunwapta Valley.
The Skywalk is a kilometer-long walk that first moves along interactive displays where guests learn about the natural process that formed the Rockies and the fossils. You follow along through an audio guide available in a wide range of languages that should cover most visitors.
After walking to the glass-bottomed bridge, it’s a short but thrilling walk for many as they peer down on the valley far below. There is no need to worry about safety as these glass panels are literally bulletproof and then some. If you’re scared of heights, it may make your heart skip a beat as the view down to the valley floor 300 meters below can be dizzying.
The Athabasca Glacier Ice Walk
You don’t have to take the massive Ice Explorer vehicles to experience Athabasca Glacier. We actually recommend booking an ice walk, if you are fit and able. The “Ice Walk” tours across the Athabasca Glacier are a half day experience and require advanced booking with the local tour company. We highly recommend booking an Ice Walk tour and not trying to walk on the glacier alone unless you’re experienced with glacier travel.
If you want to actually repel into a crevasse on your glacier experience, Rockaboo is the only guiding company certified to do that. It’s a pretty cool experience and another way to learn more about the science and importance of glaciers.
Summit Mount Athabasca
Mount Athabasca looms over Athabasca Glacier, but only a few see the view from the top. Reaching the summit requires a long hike to a technical glacier crossing and then up an exposed face or col. The views are breathtaking in more ways than one. You can spot countless glaciers, ice fields, and many of Alberta’s highest peaks from the top.
The peak is one of many in the Canadian Rockies, famous for reaching an altitude of 11,000 feet. Many climbers in the Rockies have the lifetime goal of summiting all 54 (58) of the peaks, and they are considered classic mountaineering objectives.
In the photo above, you can see Mount Columbia, Snow Dome, Andromeda, and Alberta. At 11,453 feet in elevation with a massive glacier and convenient location, Athabasca is a tremendous first “11,000er.”
You cannot attempt this on your own without mountaineering experience. It is a serious mountain. We did a three-day mountaineering course with Yamnuska and summited on the third day – the experience was epic!
This is probably not for everyone, as it’s a time commitment and a great physical challenge, but it is definitely one of the more adventurous things to do in Banff. It’s also an excellent introduction for those interested in mountaineering.
Tips For Visiting
Walk on Athabasca Glacier with a Guide
Please do not walk far on Athabasca Glacier unassisted without mountaineering experience and equipment. That being said, walking on the glacier with a guide is easy. You won’t need any technical experience; with the proper safety precautions and equipment, it’s a straightforward objective/experience. There are many crevasses in the glacier, and there have even been a few cases of children falling into the small crevasses with tragic outcomes.
Dress Warm
Even on a warm summer day, the weather around a glacier can be frigid as they create their own microclimates. Most notable is a Katabatic Wind effect, created as cool air draws off the glacier down to pockets of warmer air.
When you stand on Athabasca Glacier, it feels a bit like standing in front of an open freezer and is usually about 15° C cooler than what you experienced at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre. So pack a toque and warm jacket when you visit the glacier for a more enjoyable experience.
Consider Reservations
Although we recommend one, you do not need a reservation for the tours offered at the Icefield Discovery Center unless you have a large group, though reservations never hurt and do guarantee your time and booking. It gets busy at the Columbia Icefield during the summer months!
The only required reservations are for the guided Ice Walk, as it is with an independent tour operator not associated with Pursuit and the Icefield Discovery Center. You can check out guided ice walk tours here.
The Ice Explorer Vehicles leave every 15-30 minutes in the summer and can cycle through many visitors. As with most attractions in Banff and Jasper, it’s best to arrive early in the morning or late afternoon to beat the crowds. We recommend shooting for an early morning and witnessing sunrise on the Icefields Parkway – a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Pack Your Lunch
There are not many options for food along the Icefields Parkway. When driving between Jasper and Banff, you’re pretty much left with the Icefields Discovery Centre or the disappointing Saskatchewan River Crossing. Both are overpriced.
We suggest picking up a packed lunch in Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, or Jasper. It all depends on where you’re staying the night before. While you’re on Athabasca Glacier, bring an empty water bottle, as you can fill right up from the source of glacial water!
Tours Are Seasonal
While you can drive the Icefields Parkway in the winter, weather dependent, the Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre does close. Tours are only operational in the summer and are subject to seasonal weather. Roughly, you can plan for the center to open from early May to mid-October. 2024 dates are set for May 4th to October 13th.
Get Discounted Tickets With Pursuit
While there are no coupons or many discounts for the Icefield Discovery Center experiences, you can buy combo tickets. You can combine the tickets with the Lake Minnewanka Cruise, Banff Gondola, Golden Skybridge, or Maligne Lake Cruise for a discount.
The experiences are allowed to be used on separate days throughout the summer. While we’re more mixed on the experiences offered at the Discovery Center, the Banff Gondola and Maligne Lake cruise are worth visiting for most. Below are some of Pursuit’s combo offerings. Prices and offers are subject to change.
- $91 Columbia Icefield Adventure Off-Peak Savings: Ice Explorer and Jasper Skywalk after 3:30 PM
- $111 Columbia Icefield Adventure: Ice Explorer and Jasper Skywalk
- $209 Pursuit Pass Rockies Lite: Banff Gondola and Columbia Icefield Adventure – Including Skywalk + one extra Pursuit offering.
- $299 Pursuit Pass Rockies Value (available June 2nd – October 9th): Includes a visit to the Banff Gondola anytime. And Visit after 3:30 PM the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, Columbia Icefield Adventure, Maligne Lake Cruise, Lake Minnewanka Cruise, and Golden Skybridge.
- $349 Pursuit Pass Rockies (available June 2nd – October 9th) Visit the Banff Gondola, Columbia Icefield Skywalk, Columbia Icefield Adventure, Maligne Lake Cruise, Lake Minnewanka Cruise, and Golden Skybridge anytime.
There are a few select discounts offered at the Columbia Icefield Center. The first is for Alberta locals; those who apply must have a valid Alberta postal code and consent to receive email offers from Pursuit and get the ticket for under $100..
The others are the “Family Experience,” which entails one child admitted free with each regular-priced adult. This is available daily for admission before 11 AM. And then there is the “Off Peak Savings,” which offers a discount on afternoon tours after 3:30pm.
See All Pursuit Offerings Here
Consider Saving Your Money
Truth be told, we’re personally not big fans of the Ice Explorer vehicles driving on Athabasca Glacier or the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. You can walk up to the terminus of Athabasca Glacier from the parking lot for free and get a lovely view. It’s also possible to hike a little further to the toe of the glacier yourself. However, we recommend a guide to walk actually on the glacier.
The Ice Explorer vehicles are massive and operate all day in the summer. That’s a lot of CO2 emissions damaging a precious environment. It’s crazy how much the glacier has receded in just 100 years, and there are photos at the Discover Center to show it. Soon, we might not have any glaciers left. Honestly, the views from the cafeteria and the Discovery Centre restaurant are fantastic and free.
When it comes to the Skywalk, the views and the novelty of a glass bottom are a bit of a letdown. For better views, go on one of our favorite hikes nearby, Parker Ridge. The ridge has phenomenal views over the Saskatchewan Glacier, and the hike is easy enough to complete in under two hours. Another great hike nearby is Wilcox Pass.
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.
While we think you can get better views on a hike than the Skywalk, the Skywalk is accessible for all and will help everyone get the most out of their trip who may not be able to enjoy it. The Athabasca Ice Explorer Adventure and the Columbia Skywalk are among the most popular tours in Banff and Jasper.
If you want something really unique that still lets you experience the glacier, look into booking this icewalk tour, or this tour that allows you to experience repelling into a crevasse.
Directions To The Discovery Centre
The Columbia Icefield is conveniently located off the Icefields Parks or Highway 93 North, which runs from Lake Louise to Jasper. From Downtown Banff, the driving distance to the Icefields Discovery Centre is 195 km and takes just under three hours – that’s without any stops.
From Lake Louise, the center is 130 km away and takes around two hours to reach. Jasper is the closest at 105 km and 1.5 hours driving. Of course, very few will drive the parkway in that time as there are many worthy stops along the way. The Icefields Parkway is widely regarded as one of the most scenic drives in the world.
What Can You Find At The Columbia Icefields Discovery Center?
There are several facilities at the Icefield Discovery Centre. Even if you don’t have plans for one of the tours, it’s worth stopping for refreshment, stretching your legs, or using the washroom. You can find the following services:
- Cafeteria
- Fine Dining Restaurant, Altitude Restaurant
- Starbucks
- Glacier View Lodge
- Picnic Tables
- WiFi & Cell Coverage
- Overflow Parking/Camping For RVs
- Washrooms (running water and flush toilets)
- Interpretative Display From Parks Canada
- Information Desk
- There is no fuel! The closest fuel stations are in the town of Jasper and Saskatchewan River Crossing, and lastly, there are gas stations at Lake Louise. Trust us – that’s it.
Where to Stay
One of the best hotels in Jasper is right at the foot of the Columbia Icefield. 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. I highly recommend booking a night here if you don’t mind being a few hours from Downtown Banff, the Town of Jasper, or anywhere else.
*It’s important to note this hotel is closed in the winter and books up quickly in the summer.
- Book on Booking.com – Glacier View Lodge
- Book on Expedia – Glacier View Lodge
Other Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier FAQ
Can You Buy Just a Ticket on the Icefield Explorer?
No, tickets are only sold as a combo that includes the Skywalk and the Icefield Explorer. You can, however, opt to buy just a Skywalk ticket, but not the other way around.
Is There Food at the Discovery Center?
Yes, the Altitude Restaurant serves breakfast and dinner, there is the Chalet Grab and Go for lunch, and there’s a Starbucks.
What Are the Hours of the Columbia Icefield Experience?
The hours change by season. In 2024 the hours posted are:
- May 4 – May 31: 11 AM – 4 PM
- June 1 – September 2: 10 AM – 5 PM
- September 3 – 28: 10:30 AM – 4 PM
- September 29 – October 14*: 11 AM – 4 PM
The Skywalk is open one hour longer than all these times posted
How Long Do I Get To Stay at the Athabasca Glacier?
Guests get about 20 minutes of actual glacier time if partaking in the Ice Explorer Tour. If doing an IceWalk, guests will be on the glacier for about 2 hours, but the whole walk experience takes between 3-4 hours.
Is the Columbia Icefield Open in the Winter?
While you can certainly drive the Icefields Parkway and see Mount Athabasca in the winter, no experiences are offered in the winter. All operations at the Discovery Center close on October 15th, for the season.
Are These Experiences Wheelchair Accessible?
The Columbia Icefield Adventure offers a unique opportunity for guests with mobility needs to experience breathtaking natural wonders. Two Ice Explorers are equipped with wheelchair lifts, allowing guests to explore the glacier up close.
Additionally, accessible vans are available to transport guests to the Ice Explorer and Columbia Icefield Skywalk, where the entire 800-meter circumference is designed to be fully accessible for wheelchairs, strollers, and walkers. To ensure a seamless experience, guests with accessibility needs should call 1.866.506.0515 at least 72 hours before arrival to arrange accommodations and check-in at least 30 minutes before the tour start time.
Are These Experiences Pet Friendly?
It’s best to leave pets at home as they are not allowed on the Columbia Icefield Adventure or Skywalk.
How Long Do I Need at the Columbia Icefield?
Leave yourself between 3 and 4.5 hours to enjoy all the offerings at the Columbia Icefield. The Jasper Skywalk takes about 1-1.5 hours to enjoy (including transport), while the Athabasca Glacier Ice Explorer experience takes about 2 hours. If you are enjoying an Ice Walk tour, plan for that time added to your day. Also nearby is a nice waterfall: Tangle Creek Falls, a quick 20-minute stop!
Where Do the Shuttle Buses Leave From?
The Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre is the departure point for shuttle buses to the Columbia Icefield Adventure and the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. To streamline the process, the queue hallway is separated into two sides: one for guests embarking on the Columbia Icefield Adventure and one for those visiting the Skywalk.
Guests who have purchased the Columbia Icefield Adventure will proceed directly to the Skywalk from the transfer bays upon returning from the Glacier.
Where to Buy Tickets
The Glacier Discovery Centre, Skywalk, and Ice Explorer Tour all open on May 4th, 2024. You can book tickets on the Pursuit Banff Jasper Collection website, or through a third party like Viator or GetYourGuide.
Do You Need a Parks Pass to Visit?
All visitors need a Parks Canada Pass to access Banff or Jasper and drive on the Icefields Parkway. You can purchase a Parks Canada pass at any park gate as you enter the Icefields Parkway in either direction. You can also buy Parks Canada passes online in advance.
A Parks Canada Discovery Pass, which gets you entrance to all Parks Canada destinations for the year, is only $151.25 for a family. Day passes are $11.00 per person, so depending on how many days you are staying and if you have plans to go to Banff, you may want to consider the Discovery Pass.
Parks Canada Discovery Pass Fees (Yearly Pass)
| Pass Type (Yearly Pass) | Rate |
|---|---|
| Adult | $75.25 |
| Senior | $64.50 |
| Youth (up to 17) | Free |
| Family/Group (up to 7 Persons) | $151.25 |
Parks Canada Day Pass Rates
| Pass Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Adult | $11.00 |
| Senior | $9.50 |
| Youth (up to 17) | Free |
| Family/Group (7 Persons) | $22.00 |
Hopefully, this helped determine if you want to enjoy the Columbia Icefield Experience.If you have any other questions, comment or see our Canadian Rockies travel guide for more articles about photography spots, lakes, hikes, etc.
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Plan Your Trip to the Canadian Rockies
- Recommended Experiences: There are many things to do in the Rockies, but our top recommendations include the Banff Gondola and a cruise on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island in Jasper. If you want a stress-free way to get to Moraine Lake, we highly recommend looking into Moraine Lake Bus Company.
- Hotels in the Rockies: There are many places to stay, from luxury hotels to wilderness cabins. See all our favorites here.
- Get to Banff or Canmore Without a Car: The Banff Airporter provides fantastic service connecting you from the Calgary International Airport (YYC) to Banff or Canmore.
- Get Around: We suggest renting a car to get around. You can search for rental cars on Rentalcars.com. For a campervan trip, you can check prices and compare on Outdoorsy.
- Cheaper Airfare: We also use Going for airfare deals and travel credit cards to earn points on purchases. Those credit card points can be redeemed for free flights and hotels! Our favorite cards is the Capital One Venture X (which has an insane welcome bonus right now) as it has no foreign transaction fees.
- Hop On, Hop Off: This tour is taking Banff by storm. It’s exactly what it sounds like, hop on and off a bus to visit all the best attractions at your own pace!
This is a supremely helpful guide for the icefield. We now know what to avoid. Thank you.
Very informative and helpful. I have been wondering if we could go to Skywalk first before our time for the Glacier field tour? Thanks for the response.
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.
Extremely useful information that covers a lot of relevant ground. For the life of me, I couldn’t find elsewhere such clear information about whether we had to take one of those red and white buses to see the glacier (every search result showed these buses everywhere). Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!