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). Free shipping for many products! The Athabasca Glacier is one of the six foremost 'toes' of the Columbia Icefield, situated in the Canadian Rockies. It costs $16.75 CAD to park your RV here overnight. The glacier is about 13 kilometers (8.1 mi) long and covers around 30 sq km . You must park in this lot if youve booked a glacier or Skywalk tour. For a narrative audio tour around the Rockies, consider getting the Gypsy Guide. Opal Hills Home Banff Columbia Icefield (Athabasca Glacier): 15 Tips for Visiting. The best time to explore this place is to visit in the morning during the summer season before the crowds arrive. Hiking poles may be helpful but are not required. . Youll spend an entire day sightseeing, including an Athabasca Glacier tour, Skywalk adventure, a visit to the Weeping Wall, and Athabasca Falls. Saskatchewan Glacier is the largest outflow glacier out of the Columbia Icefield. The Glacier Skywalk is part of the Columbia Icefield, and it's one of the most popular attractions along the Icefields Parkway. All backpackers and people traveling on a budget rejoice; the Athabasca Glacier hike is free (as all hikes in Jasper National Park). Day 6 - Jasper. the best time to visit, and lots of photos of my experience. This type of pass is valid for one person for one day. The Ice Explorer Vehicles leave every 15 to 30 minutes in the summer and can cycle through a large number of visitors. Athabasca Falls were formed as the Athabasca Valley Glacier receded through what is today Jasper National Park. Bear spray. The Athabasca is the most-visited glacier on the North American continent. 17 Mar and Thu, 23 Mar to 98837. The Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier are scenic spots you shouldnt miss stopping at if youre nearby. Absolutely. Another great alternative is Viator. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I have been wondering if we could go to Skywalk first before our time for the Glacier field tour? Continue reading this blog post for everything you need to know to experience the Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park for yourself, including distance, elevation gain, how to get there, the best time to visit, and lots of photos of my experience. To start the 1.4 km (.8 mile)Athabasca Glacier Trail, start at the far end of the parking lot. The Athabasca Glacier is a large toe that extends down from the Columbia Icefield. We created unique souvenirs you cant find anywhere else. The Columbia Icefield and the Athabasca Glacier are located along the Alberta-British Columbia border. This blog may contain affiliate links. Getting to Athabasca Falls: From Jasper, travel south on Highway 93 (Icefields Parkway) then turn right onto Highway 93A. Only you can answer this question. Thank you. If driving, be aware that only one gas station operates on the parkway, and is open only during the . We depart the UK on our flight from London Heathrow to Vancouver, where we transfer to our superb Fairmont Hotel in the heart of the city for two nights. Located around halfway between Jasper and Banff on the Icefields Parkway, the Athabasca Glacier is one of the route highlights and one of the most accessible glaciers in the world.. You can take in the views from the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre or book a Columbia Icefield Adventure Tour which will take you up onto the glacier on an Ice Explorer, a giant all-terrain vehicle, and includes . The Saskatchewan Glacier is located in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Watch the blue circle signs with information about how much the glacier has melted over the years. Pictures cant capture just how massive this glacier is and how little you will feel while standing on it! The Athabasca Glacier is located along Icefields Parkway, a scenic 143-mile (230-kilometer) highway connecting Jasper with Lake Louise. The shorter tour runs three hours and children must be at least 7 years old to participate. Although you can use public transport, on some occasions, it means your trip will not only require more time but more planning. Including hike info and off-season travel information. 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. Soon, we might not have any glaciers left. Tourists walk on the Athabasca Glacier, part of the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park, on May 7, 2014. If youre driving with an RV, there is overnight parking available in a large asphalt lot on the west side of the Discovery Centre. While there are no coupons or direct discounts for the Icefield Discovery Center experiences you can buy combo tickets. 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. Enjoy this 0.6-mile out-and-back trail near Jasper, Alberta. IE 11 is not supported. But with this popularity comes a few challenges when it comes to planning your visit. 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. From the top, you can spot countless glaciers, icefields, and many of Albertas highest peaks. In the photo above you can Mount Columbia, Snow Dome, Andromeda, and Alberta. Trail Length: 1.0km (.62 miles) Difficulty: Easy; Elevation Gain: 26m (85 feet) 7. However, this experience is not only about the raw beauty of Mother Nature. 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 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. The best time for enjoying Athabasca Glacier is between June and September, when temperatures are higher, and your chances for the visit are the best. Please practice good ethics, and don't take any risks that put yourself or others in danger. It lies on the Continental Divide and on the border of Alberta and British Columbia. The Ice Explorer vehicles are massive and operate all day in the summer, thats a lot of CO2 emissions doing damage to the precious environment. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to have a real glacier experience One thing that isnt at the visitor center is a gas station. Believe us; you don't want to arrive in Banff or Jasper in high season without a reservation. We highly recommend booking an Ice Walk tour and not try to walk on the glacier on your own. Honestly, the views from the cafeteria and restaurant of the Discovery Center are fantastic for free. The Columbia Icefield is roughly 325 square kilometers and covers a large area of Alberta between Banff and Jasper National Parks. A lodge, gift shop, cafeteria, theatre, fine dining experience, and tour center are all located at the center. Board the Ice Explorer, a large six-wheeled all-terrain vehicle. Youll get excellent views of the Columbia Icefield, and in the summer, wildflowers are beautiful along this trail. All the bookings are done by timeslot and fill up quickly in the summer months. Once you reach the Toe of the Athabasca Glacier, youll have an incredible view of the glacier and icefield in front of you (pictured above.) 17 BEST Stops on the Drive from Vancouver to Whistler - Road Trip Guide, How to Get to Moraine Lake (from Banff, Canmore, Calgary, and More! So, your tickets to the Skywalk include roundtrip transport from the Discovery Centre as well as your admission to get on the Skywalk itself. . Then travel 125 km (78 miles) north from Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway Highway 93N to the Columbia Icefield. . Explore this 0.9-mile out-and-back trail near Improvement District No. Athabasca Falls. So besides visiting Maligne Lake, there are a few other activities that we recommend that you check off your to-do list. 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. The Skywalk is a short (5-minute) free shuttle ride away from the Discovery Center. ), 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. When it comes to safety, stay on the trail, and don't leave the roped-off area. When you stand on Athabasca Glacier it feels a bit like standing in front of an open freezer. To be honest, we didn't book any of the tours or experiences. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 28 min to complete. 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 Skywalk is basically a glass-floored lookout perched atop a cliff about 280 meters above the valley floor that offers a thrilling walk around the observation platform. This nearly four mile (6 km) glacier, located in Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies . We visited the Athabasca Glacier twice already, and both times, it was super windy and chilly even at the foot of the glacier. The trailhead is two hours from Banff, or just over an hour from Jasper. Every year as more and more tourists flock to the mountains, the number of rescues goes up. Youll be rewarded with stunning views of the Saskatchewan Glacier along with multiple waterfalls. The park spreads around 521 square miles (1,349 sq km) of 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. 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. Find the travel options that best suit you. See our complete Alberta packing list here. 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. 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 Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier is a natural wonder that is incredible to see in person. Turn off here if youre craving Starbucks. Day 4 - The Rocky Mountaineer to Banff. Many visitors book their stay at least several months in advance, and bookings made even more than six months upfront are common. Located at the juncture of Banff and Jasper national parks, the center offers interpretive exhibits, gift shop, restaurant and cafeteria, an extensive . The views are breathtaking in more ways than one. Columbia Icefield, Athabasca Glacier, Toe of the Athabasca Glacier. These campgrounds are all first-come, first-served, pretty basic (some have washrooms, some only pit toilets), and fill up pretty fast too. from. We wanted to see Athabasca Glacier up close. That said, if youve never been up near a glacier before is this an experience worth having? You can even get lowered into a "well" in the glacier using their equipment. The Skywalk is a kilometer long walk that first moves along interactive displays where guests learn about the natural process that formed the Rockies along with the fossils. Glacier Skywalk and Columbia Icefields (1 hour 15 minutes from Jasper) You will probably want to spend most of the time here. About 1 million people come to the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier every year. A reservation is not required unless you have a large group. Mount Athabasca looms over Athabasca Glacier, but only a few get to see the view from the top. For a discount, book the Ice Explorer and Skywalk tours together. However, the majority of travelers won't probably even notice. This means you can easily get to the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield and back to wherever you are staying without the need to have your own car or a rental. These tours dont include transportation from nearby towns, so youll need to get yourself to the Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre on the Icefields Parkway. One of the many highlights of our Western Canada & the Rockies tour is to take a snow coach ride on a real-life glacier! . 4.5Facilities. The daily rate for these passes is $10.50 CAD per adult, $21 CAD per family, and free for all kids 17 and under. These hiking tours are different than the Ice Explorer tour because youll spend more time on the glacier and walk to parts of the glacier that most people dont get to see. I also highly recommend reading up on Leave No Trace principles before heading anywhere into the outdoors in general. You have a better chance of spotting wildlife like mountain goats and bighorn sheep and will avoid the peak crowds. 17. Because youre not driving, youll be able to enjoy the scenic views! 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. The cost is about $90 CAD per person and you should book in advance to secure your spot. Columbia Icefield is the largest ice field in the Rockies of North America. While we think you can get better views on a hike than the Skywalk, the Skywalk is accessible for all and will help everyone get the most out of their trip that may not have the ability to enjoy long hikes. This is not only a geological wonder but a truly unique spot you wont find anywhere else in the country. Adults - CAD 85 (US$ 64) Children (Age 6-15) - CAD 43 (US$ 32) Under 5 - FREE. I hope this guide has given you all the information you need for your own visit to the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier. He has a passion for all things in the Canadian Rockies and loves to spend his time snowboarding, scrambling, camping, biking, and trail running. Both are overpriced. 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. 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. That road will take you right to the small parking lot. There are plenty of places to stay if you want to spend more time in the area or not worry about a long drive back after your tour. You can't actually get very close to the glacier. 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. Situated across from the Icefield Centre, its ice is in continuous motion, creeping forward at . Estimated between Mon, Mar 6 and Fri, Mar 10 to 23917. It also includes the Athabasca Glacier Tour, Skywalk, and a mountain picnic lunch at Bow Lake, one of the largest lakes in Banff National Park. The distance you need to keep between you and the glacier is for safety reasons, and the only way to get close to the glacier is with a guided tour. Rooms are adequate, however, this is one of the finest examples of paying extra for the location. (Jeff . Instead, theres a short Athabasca Glacier hike that will give you some impressive views of the icefield for free. Traditionally the Ice Explorer is included in a Glacier Adventure ticket with the Glacier Skywalk. 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. Wilcox Pass is a moderately challenging 4 km (2.5 miles) hike that starts at the Wilcox Creek campground. The road is usually closed from November to May because of snowy and icy conditions. You can combine the tickets with the Lake Minnewanka cruise, Banff Gondola, or Maligne Lake cruise for a discount. 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. 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. You can check out guided ice walk tours here. Our aim is to help you get the most out of your trip to Banff National Park and the surrounding areas. To stretch your legs, take a stroll through the gift shop or the Parks Canada Glacier Gallery. Informative panels describe the slow retreat of the glacier. Tips For Seeing the Athabasca Glacier And Columbia Icefields. Only a small part of the Columbia Icefield is visible from the road. There are many reasons why to include the Athabasca Glacier hike on your Canadian Rockies itinerary. While were more mixed on the Discovery Center experiences both the Banff Gondola and Maligne Lake cruise are worth a visit for most. The trail is well-marked, and it's almost impossible to get lost here. The Skywalk (pictured above) is an impressive glass-bottomed structure that hangs out into the valley offering some very stunning views. Related Read: Banff in winter is also super fun! You'll get excellent views of the Columbia Icefield, and in the summer, wildflowers are beautiful along this trail. Athabasca Falls are accessible year-round, thanks to the nearby well-maintained highway and the parking lot close to the falls. It's approximately 32 km southeast of the Jasper townsite. You can book ahalf-day tour like this onewhere youll spend 3 hours hiking on Athabasca Glacier with an experienced guide. If youre after a souvenir to take home with you, there are tons of gift shops in the Jasper townsite to check out. Additional Information. 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 5 - Banff National Park. Its a bit steep to start but is still rated as an easy hike. To open it up in Google Maps for easy navigation just click the red pin. This is also a great opportunity to take in fantastic views from the Glacier Skywalk. Best time to visit Athabasca Falls. The operating season is mid-April to mid-October. Its quite large, and you should be able to find a spot here. Weve personally used SafetyWing for many different trips, and weve been reimbursed for countless expenses when weve fallen ill. SafetyWing even covered our flights back to Canada in full when the pandemic first happened (when last-minute flights before the borders closed were super expensive!). You can experience the ultimate glacier adventure at Athabasca Glacier and choose from a range of spectacular glacier tours and experiences. You cannot attempt this on your own without mountaineering experience, it is a serious mountain. 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. You can climb its peaks through hiking trails created by renowned Swiss mountain guides, enjoy a leisurely stroll through an old-growth cedar forest covered in moss, or go hiking through an alpine . This Glacier is the most-visited Glacier on the border of Alberta and British Columbia little you probably... 0.9-Mile out-and-back trail near Improvement District No to check out guided Ice tour! Closed from November to May because of snowy and icy conditions Icefield,... Audio tour around the Rockies, consider getting the Gypsy guide n't take any risks that put yourself or in. 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