8 Ways To See The Athabasca Glacier: Tours & Free Options

The Athabasca Glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers in North America and a highlight for any trip to the Canadian Rockies. It’s the pinnacle of natural grandeur on the scenic Icefields Parkway and a must visit for anyone that decides to drive the highway.

From the expansive Columbia Icefield, the Athabasca Glacier tumbles down to the highway and is easily seen right from the road. Given its proximity to the parkway, there are a multitude of ways to explore the glacier. Whether you want a gentle walk or a full-on alpine adventure, there is something to meet everyone’s desire.

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How To See The Athabasca Glacier

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Jasper National Park Icefield Information Centre

The easiest and free option to see the glacier is to simply stop at the Jasper National Park Icefield Information Centre. The centre operates as a hub for information and a launching point for many of the other activities.

It has a cafeteria, restaurant, Starbucks, gift shop, galley, and multiple viewing decks that supply an excellent view of the Athabasca Glacier. The parking lot is right off the Icefields Parkway, and the chairs on the main viewing deck are a great spot to soak up the sun.

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Toe Of The Glacier Hike

This is a short hike to the toe of the glacier from the parking lot across the street from the Icefield Centre. It’s another free option and gives visitors a better chance to see the glacier up close and personal.

It’s a 1.4 kilometre round-trip hike with a decent little 60m uphill climb to the viewpoint. Those with limited mobility may want to just stop at the Icefield Information Centre. It’s around a 30-45 minute stop on average for most visitors, with the hike up and taking in the views.

This is what we’d recommend most people do if they don’t have the time or desire to spend money on a tour.

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Ice Explorer Tour

This is the classic tourist attraction that has been operating since the 60s. It’s a great way to see the glacier without having to put in any effort. You’ll hop aboard massive custom built Glacier Explorer Vehicles that will climb up the lateral moraine of the glacier before descending down to the glacier’s surface.

After reaching the glacier, you can step out onto its surface in a controlled environment. Once on the glacier, you have 15 minutes to walk around, snap photos, and drink from the glacial meltwaters. It’s a great option for families, as young kids love the trucks!

After the short exploration on the glacier you’ll hop on a bus to see the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. The architectural marvel is a glass bottom walkway that extends from a cliff face over the Sunwapta Valley. It provides some wonderful views if you don’t have a fear of heights, or it’s a great test.

We have no problems recommending the tour, but we won’t deny that for some travellers it feels very commercial. There is also a little irony in driving large diesel trucks across a vanishing glacier.

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Ice Odyssey Tour

The limited edition tour of the Ice Explorer with smaller vehicles and a far more intimate experience. It supplies a lot more time on the glacier and goes further along the glacier’s surface. Due to the more capable vehicle and smaller group numbers, they can also drop visitors off onto a natural surface of the glacier.

The tour spends 15 minutes taking in the views from the lateral moraine and another 45 minutes on the glaciers surface. While on the surface your guide and host share information about the glacier. You’ll also get to try your hand at some mountaineering tools such as ice screws and ice axes.

It feels far less commercial and crowded than the Ice Explorer Experience. However, it does not include the Columbia Icefield Skywalk and is nearly double the price of an already expensive experience.

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Ice Walk

For those with time and looking for an active experience we can’t recommend a guided Ice Walk enough. The hands on experience lets you safely explore moulins, meltwaters, the ancient glacier up close.

You’ll strap on microspikes and follow a certified guide up the across the glacier ice. Some guided hikes even offer visitors the chance to rappel down into a crevasse in order to gain a unique experience.

It’s the best way to spend around two hours on the glacier’s surface and learn more about these important natural features. An unforgettable experience and a great way to see the glacier on your own two feet

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Guided Ascent Of Mt Athabasca

This is one is only for the truly adventurous and those with strong physical fitness. Navigate the Athabasca Glacier and earn jaw-dropping views from one Canadian Rockies tallest peaks. Tourism in the Canadian Rockies got its start with eager mountaineers looking to summit peaks and cross its wild Icefields.

Ever since then the guiding community in the Rockies has remained strong with knowledgable guides and professional climbers. Multiple guiding operations offer mountaineering courses where they teach budding mountaineers the ropes, literally, and how to safely travel on alpine glaciers.

At the end of the course they aim to summit a mountaineering objective such as Mt. Athabasca. The course typically takes around three-four days and the summit day is heroic task with an alpine start around 2:00 am.

Those with prior experience can always hire private guides for any objective they want in the Rockies. Some popular guide companies we like to recommend are Yamnuska Mountain Adventures, Alpine Air Adventures, and Cloud Nine Guides.

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Stay At The Glacier View Lodge

Perched on the edge of the stunning Athabasca Glacier, guests are treated to panoramic views of ice-capped peaks, sprawling glaciers, and the serene wilderness that defines the region. You’ll get to wake up to floor-to-ceiling views of the glacier from the comfort of a cozy lodge. It’s the only hotel to stay at directly across from the glacier.

The small lodge books out every season so make sure to grab reservation far in advance if you hope to stay. It’s only open for the summer season. As it’s right across from glacier it’s ideal for photography, stargazing, sunset dinners, and early access to any tour you’d like on the glacier.

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Camp Across From The Athabasca Glacier

This is probably one of the most difficult campsites to score in the peak summer months. It operates on a first-come-first-serve basis, and it’s tiny. There are few facilities here, but the views are unreal if you’re lucky enough to score one of the eight choice sites.

This site is limited to tents only, but a small van might be able to pull off a camp here. If you’re in a camper van or RV you can camp in the Icefields Information Centre as an overflow option, it still costs money and requires registration.

From the site, you look out onto the Athabasca Glacier. We got super lucky with this spot by showing up at 8:00 in the morning and catching someone on their way out. We spent three nights climbing the surrounding mountains at this campsite, including Mt Athabasca.

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