For campers, there are two nearby campgrounds. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 28 min to complete. Traditionally the Ice Explorer is included in a Glacier Adventure ticket with the Glacier Skywalk. We never leave our home without travel insurance which is designed to help cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip. Photos (377) Directions. Parks Canada Passes can be bought online here or at one of the Visitor Centers of booths at the entrance to many national parks. Travel Insurance: World Nomads Travel Insurance covers against risks of travel. Before you get started on your trip to the Toe of the Athabasca Glacier, here's our travel guide, including some helpful information and advice on what to expect, trail description, and tips on things to do. This 1km (.6 mile) walkway towers over the Sunwapta Valley. When it comes to safety, stay on the trail, and don't leave the roped-off area. As many flowers as there are, there are few enough that if we all took one, then there wouldnt be any left. The Columbia Icefield formed around 240,000 years ago. For the best weather, come in the warmer summer months in July to August. 6 days, 5 nights; $4,000. The Athabasca Glacier is the most visited glacier in all of North America and it is spectacular. 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. Information is also available at 406-888-7800. Less than a minutes drive (super close!!) There will be a free shuttle that takes you on a short, five-minute drive to the Skywalk if youve bought tickets for that experience. Finally, the crowds. If youre just looking for a coffee, theres also a Starbucks inside! It is illegal to remove any natural object you find in Jasper National Park, from flowers to rocks, as its important to leave the environment as natural as possible for the animals and for fellow hikers to enjoy in perpetuity. To get a better view from the lookout, bring binoculars or a mirrorless camera with a telephoto lens. 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. If you have time to look around, stop by the information desk inside the center for recommendations on what to do in the area. Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre . No false summits - the trail meanders up this hill and then youre there. Your guide will point out ice formations, meltwater streams, icefalls, and waterfalls. The Icefields Parkway is widely considered as one of the best scenic drives in the world. Duration: 10 hours. Dome Glacier, Stutfield Glacier and . Glscier-fed Sunwapta Lake to the rear looking somewhat gloomy. Research current trail conditions and make sure you are well-informed about the route before you leave, and assess if it is within your capability. Banff Inn is a perfectly located hotel and a great place to stay both in the summer and winter. Between the towering peaks of mountains lies the immense and impressive Athabasca Glacier. 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 . The only thing to note is that the insurance must be purchased once youve left your home country we typically buy it as soon as we land at the airport. About 1 million people come to the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier every year. A shuttle bus leaves from the discovery center around every fifteen minutes to the Skywalk which is 6 km away. Ill have a car. 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. 5.0Atmosphere. 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. Being prepared is the best defense. 12 , Alberta. Cheers for joining us on our adventures! You can find the following services. Youll spend an entire day sightseeing, including an Athabasca Glacier tour, Skywalk adventure, a visit to the Weeping Wall, and Athabasca Falls. You can stay right at the hotel that is part of the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, but it is the priciest option. For better views, go on one of our favorite hikes nearby called Parker Ridge. The glacier is part of the massive Columbia Icefield . It is formed by the compaction and recrystallization of snow into ice crystals and commonly also contains air, water and rock debris. The Athabasca Glacier is located along Icefields Parkway, a scenic 143-mile (230-kilometer) highway connecting Jasper with Lake Louise. The hike is straightforward, making it perfect even for families or visitors who are not that fit or experienced. With approximately 200,000 km2 of glacier coverage in the Arctic and the West . TheBanff Blog Facebook Groupis your headquarters for the Canadian Rockies travel advice and information. 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. 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. Day 4 - The Rocky Mountaineer to Banff. Booking in advance is also strongly recommended since these experiences do have limited numbers and are very popular! You get to spend a long time thoroughly exploring many unique features of the glacier. 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. It lies on the Continental Divide and on the border of Alberta and British Columbia. Easy 4.5 (1302) Jasper National Park. Tickets for this experience are around $40 CAD. 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. 4.5Facilities. Something you will quickly realize when searching for hotels. We'll talk about it later in this blog post. 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. The hotel has a convenient location, indoor pool, onsite restaurant, and clean and tidy rooms that should convince you to stay here. The peak is one of many in the Canadian Rockies famous for reaching an altitude of 11,000 feet. Home Banff Columbia Icefield (Athabasca Glacier): 15 Tips for Visiting. Youll get excellent views of the Columbia Icefield, and in the summer, wildflowers are beautiful along this trail. You may opt out of personalised ads at any time. If you dont mind being a few hours from Downtown Banff, the Town of Jasper or really anywhere else I highly recommend booking a night here. Day 2 - Exploring Vancouver. When it comes to the Skywalk the views and the novelty of a glass bottom are a bit of a letdown. Another great alternative is Viator. 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. And even though you can see only a tiny fragment of the whole Columbia Icefield, the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains, we are pretty sure the view will take your breath away. Conservation is a deep fundamental in his life, and he aims to inspire others to care about our natural world. You can walk up to the falls and climb up a bit to get a great photo. Saskatchewan Glacier is the largest outflow glacier out of the Columbia Icefield. Tours are operational in the summer months only and subject to seasonal weather. However, the majority of travelers won't probably even notice. You can't actually get very close to the glacier. More information on staying safe in the outdoors. Youll be given headphones to enjoy a self-guided audio tour on this walk. For a longer adventure on the glacier, thisfull-day tourlets you spend 6 hours exploring the glacier with a guide. from. Icefields Parkway | The Crossing - Located in Saskatchewan River Crossing on the Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Banff, The Crossing is one of the few hotels along this stunning road. The Icefield Centre is about 64 miles (103 kilometers) from Jasper and 53 miles (185 kilometers) from Banff. Rooms are adequate, however, this is one of the finest examples of paying extra for the location. Bald Hills. Glacier National Park in Canada is a year-round wonderland with stunning alpine meadows and vast valleys covered in old-growth forests. Athabasca glacier has receded approximately a mile in over a century and is still receding by about 2-3 m per year. This gives you free admission to all national parks in Canada for a full year for $72.25 per adult or $145.25 for a family of up to 7 people. I hope you enjoyed this guide to the Athabasca Glacier in Banff National Park! It will be quieter here in the winter, so you wont be dealing with a crowd. Its crazy how much the glacier has receded in just 100 years. Day passes can be purchased at the park gates and are per day per person, but if youre staying a week or longer, its more cost-effective to just buy an annual pass instead. The scenery along the way is stunning; it's very easily accessible, family-friendly, photogenic, and unlike often overpriced tours, it is possible to see it for free (although there are more expensive alternatives how to see the glacier up close), so it is perfect for all budget travelers. Delivery time is estimated using our proprietary method which is . A tour is, after all, the only way you are allowed to actually step foot on the glacier. Bad weather or fog can totally obscure the view. The Skywalk is a one-kilometer glass platform that hangs above the Sunwapta Valley. It is a gorgeous area and the best time of the year to go is in the summer! Still, before you . Please practice good ethics, and don't take any risks that put yourself or others in danger. Jasper Inn & Suites offers good value for money. 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 experiences are allowed to be used on separate days. Is it worth it? 5.0. 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. Youre in for a treat! Wilcox Creek Campground has first come, first served sites, and it's an excellent choice for all visitors who don't want to spend a fortune on accommodation and want to stay close to the Athabasca Glacier, Wilcox Pass, and other points of interest. Including hike info and off-season travel information. Be sure to check out some of related blogs including: document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); What can I do in and around Banff in two days, Nov 24-26? C$203.96. As with most attractions in Banff and Jasper its best to arrive early in the morning or late afternoon to beat the crowds. The Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier are just over an hour (106 km/66 miles) south of Jasper, 1.5 hours (132 km/82 miles) north of Lake Louise, or about 2.5 hours (187 km/116 miles) north of Banff. 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. A great add-on to your trip here isbuying a ticket to go on the Skywalk. 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. So make sure to pack a toque and warm jacket when you visit the glacier for a more enjoyable experience. The operating season is mid-April to mid-October. While we toured this amazing place, we found out that it wont be long before this glacier ceases to exist due to global warming. The Athabasca Glacier has been around for centuries. 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. 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. However, these tours can be quite pricey, unlike the walk to the Toe of Athabasca Glacier, which is free. Adventure Tours. Day 2 - Exploring Vancouver. Sadly a boundary limits people from approaching the glacier itself, however the views from here are impressive nonetheless. 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. 4.8. That said, if youve never been up near a glacier before is this an experience worth having? We're a family who hike quite a bit - and so - are interested in. I have been wondering if we could go to Skywalk first before our time for the Glacier field tour? We think this is one of the most spectacular areas and the perfect place for an outdoor vacation. 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. 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. Our content may not be reproduced without our written permission. DISCLAIMER: All activities you find on this site are dangerous. Learn more on our about us page! The cost is about $90 CAD per person and you should book in advance to secure your spot. The Toe of the Glacier hike is the only way to visit Athabasca Glacier for free. You can also stay at Glacier View Inn and take more time to explore the Glacier. For more information, read our guide on Camping in the Canadian Rockies. 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. Then travel 125 km (78 miles) north from Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway Highway 93N to the Columbia Icefield. The hike starts from a gravel 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. If driving, be aware that only one gas station operates on the parkway, and is open only during the . The best time to explore this place is to visit in the morning during the summer season before the crowds arrive. Yes, but you wont be able to physically walk on the glacier as thats too dangerous without a formal tour. Free shipping for many products! No matter which of these towns youre coming from, the road trip takes you down the Icefields Parkway. If youre driving up the Icefields Parkway, visiting this glacier is definitely an essential must-do on your Icefields Parkway itinerary. While youre on Athabasca Glacier bring an empty water bottle as you can fill right up from the source of glacial water! You can go to either the Columbia Icefield Campground or the Wilcox Creek Campground. Admission Prices. 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). There are some crevasses in the glacier and there have been a few cases of children falling into the small crevasses with a tragic outcome. This two-lane highway is so much more than just a way to get from Point A to Point B. Athabasca is one of the most easily accessed glaciers in North America, just a few minutes from the parking area. Whats really cool is you can take a tour out on this glacier in a special all-terrain bus known as an Ice Explorer. The views are breathtaking in more ways than one. Find the travel options that best suit you. Picture this ice as far as you can see and the chance to walk on an ancient glacier surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. 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). Icefields Parkway itinerary was packed already, and these tours seemed really expensive to us for what they offer. Its also a great introduction for those interested in mountaineering. Adventure sports, activities, and non-supervised activities come with inherent risks, please take necessary precautions. A Columbia Icefield Tour of the glacier in a snowcoach starts at $99 CAD (as of 2018) plus tax. Although you can use public transport, on some occasions, it means your trip will not only require more time but more planning. You can see it right from the parking lot, so no big hike is required. Its quite large, and you should be able to find a spot here. Day 6 - Jasper. Leaving Jasper, travel 108 km (67 miles) south on the Icefields Parkway Highway 93N to the Columbia Icefield. The Icefield forms a high altitude ice-cap that lies on a plateau. However, you can still come in winter to hike theToe of the Athabasca Glacier TrailI previously mentioned. Visit Athabasca Glacier a disappearing wonder. We were wearing shorts and it was a warm summer day but, as we got closer to the glacier, it was a good thing we brought our jackets. Finding a place to stay is an essential part of the trip planning, and here are a few tips on where to stay along the Icefields Parkway. We quickly realized that some of the activities are out of our budget, so it was easy to rule them out, but there were also too many things we wanted to see and too many photogenic places we did not want to miss, so the decision process was often quite heartbreaking. Even on a warm summer day, the weather around a glacier can be frigid as they create their own microclimates. Athabasca Glacier happens to be the most accessible glacier in the Canadian Rockies and well worth a stop. as the glacial winds here are strong and cold all year long! Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld. Tours from $214 . Day 5 - Banff National Park. You must park in this lot if youve booked a glacier or Skywalk tour. Best glacier tour on Athabasca!! The reason for this is that there is no parking at the Skywalk. Because it was in an isolated area, it wasnt found until the late 1800s, making it one of the last major geological areas discovered by humans. The Parker Ridge Trail is a short 2.7 km (1.6 miles) trail just south of the Discovery Centre. If you are driving here in the winter, make sure you have winter tires on your car and always check road conditions, as snowstorms are common. Planning ahead and booking one of the many Athabasca Glacier tours is the best way to see it up close. Day 4 - The Rocky Mountaineer to Banff. The Saskatchewan Glacier is located in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. 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. 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). Located at the juncture of Banff and Jasper national parks, the center offers interpretive exhibits, gift shop, restaurant and cafeteria, an extensive . 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). The shorter tour runs three hours and children must be at least 7 years old to participate. Day 3 - The Rocky Mountaineer. We now know what to avoid. The Athabasca is the most-visited glacier on the North American continent. We've actually been traveling non-stop for the last few years now, so we really are living a "destinationless" lifestyle! Glacier Adventure will allow you to travel onto the glacier in an Ice Explorer, a giant vehicle that's modified to conquer the glacier's icy surface. In the right light conditions it can be a much more brilliant blue. PLEASE do not walk on Athabasca Glacier unassisted without mountaineering experience and equipment. Take a snow coach journey on Athabasca Glacier. 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. Bring appropriate layers (remember youll warm up once you start hiking) and sun protection. The falls are fed by the water runoff from the Columbia Icefield. The Canadian Rockies are a top tourist destination, and the prices match this fact. . For car rentals, I use the website DiscoverCars.com. . Unlike the above hiking tour, this hike is a little more difficult and is best suited to those with a moderate level of fitness. Youll find Rockies camp mugs, totes, phone cases and more! When approaching the Columbia Icefield, in which the Athabasca Glacier resides, one of the first things you will notice (after the glaciers themselves) is the large visitors center on the east side of the road. The views are sublime in all directions - definitely a great trail in Jasper National Park. 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. This pass will give 365 days of access to all participating national parks in Canada. Now we live in Canmore and spend as much time as possible exploring and hiking around Banff. The best way to get from Canmore to Athabasca Glacier (Land) costs only $100 and takes just 4 hours. Its basically all the questions you thought you had and a few more! From Banff: Thisfull-day tourleaves from Banff and heads down the Icefields Parkway. He has a passion for all things in the Canadian Rockies and loves to spend his time snowboarding, scrambling, camping, biking, and trail running. The Athabasca Glacier is one of the most accessible "fingers" coming down from the giant Columbia Icefield, the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains. The Columbia Icefield is conveniently located off the Icefields Parks or Highway 93 that runs from Lake Louise to Jasper. See our complete Alberta packing list here. If you'd like to support our work check out our shop for unique prints and souvenirs or support us directly here. Youll need to follow the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre and then turn onto Snocoach Road for a couple of hundred feet before quickly turning right onto Glacier Road. While there are no coupons or direct discounts for the Icefield Discovery Center experiences you can buy combo tickets. In 2018, we decided to settle down in one of the most beautiful places on earth, The Canadian Rockies. These tours dont include transportation from nearby towns, so youll need to get yourself to the Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre on the Icefields Parkway. per adult. To open it up in Google Maps for easy navigation just click the red pin. A lodge, gift shop, cafeteria, theatre, fine dining experience, and tour center are all located at the center. But with this popularity comes a few challenges when it comes to planning your visit. This waterfall is beautiful and easy to find right off the highway. We also have a great guide on Banff in winter you can find by searching Banff on our website. Its a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. Athabasca Glacier is about 3.7 mi (6 km ) in length with an area of 2.3 sq. The Columbia Icefield sits astride the continental divide and is 125 square miles full of fields of ice or almost the size of Seattle or Philadelphia! You follow along through an audio guide that is available in a wide range of languages that should cover most visitors. . 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. That being said its easy to walk on the glacier with a guide. 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 . Columbia Icefield Campground has 33 tent-only sites that are first-come, first-served. Prepare for the possibility of wildlife encounters. The Columbia Icefield Skywalk is a glass-bottomed bridge thats just north of the Athabasca Icefield a popular stop on the Icefield Parkway. 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!! 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. An icefield is quite literally what the name implies, a large field of ice built up over the millennia. We suggest picking up a packed lunch in Banff, Lake Louise, or Jasper. The road is usually closed from November to May because of snowy and icy conditions. Pictures cant capture just how massive this glacier is and how little you will feel while standing on it! The Athabasca Glacier is the most-visited glacier in all of North America. Athabasca Falls were formed as the Athabasca Valley Glacier receded through what is today Jasper National Park. 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