Although you can use public transport, on some occasions, it means your trip will not only require more time but more planning. The hike is straightforward, making it perfect even for families or visitors who are not that fit or experienced. When is the Best Time to Visit the Glacier Skywalk? This is the largest ice field in the Rockies and one of the most accessible, thanks to its location. 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. Please practice good ethics, and don't take any risks that put yourself or others in danger. Its basically all the questions you thought you had and a few more! We wanted to see Athabasca Glacier up close. You can check out guided ice walk tours here. Because of its location, its the easiest glacier to get to and the one you can see not only with a tour but also from the road! February 1, 2018. It was very similar to what we experienced, for example, on the West Coast in New Zealand or at Perito Moreno, Patagonia. 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. When it comes to places to visit before they disappear, the Athabasca Glacier should be on your list. Cheers for joining us on our adventures! If you have found the content on this site helpful to your trip planning please consider supporting The Banff Blog. This tour is family-friendly too since the hike is relatively easy and flat (5 km/3.1 miles in total.). mi (6 sq. Pictures cant capture just how massive this glacier is and how little you will feel while standing on it! You can also stay at Glacier View Inn and take more time to explore the Glacier. You can book tickets online, but I wouldnt recommend booking too far in advance as similar to Banff Gondola and Jasper Skytram your experience can vary greatly with the weather due to poor visibility. I have been wondering if we could go to Skywalk first before our time for the Glacier field tour? Named one of the top 10 drives in the world by Cond Nast Traveler, the Icefields Parkway links Banff National Park and Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies, along the way taking in mountain peaks, turquoise lakes, and over 100 glaciers, including the Athabasca Glacier. 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. Looking for a really unique experience to have with your dog? With a million people coming every year between May to October, you wont be alone in wanting to stop here. Both are overpriced. Booking in advance is also strongly recommended since these experiences do have limited numbers and are very popular! 12 , Alberta. Our aim is to help you get the most out of your trip to Banff National Park and the surrounding areas. Be aware of what time it gets dark and check the weather forecast. In fact, it's astounding just how much is packed into this route! Pack a lunch to eat at the head of the Athabasca Glacier, where shattered ice and rock make an incredible lunchtime view. The park spreads around 521 square miles (1,349 sq km) of area. If you are in this area during the colder time of year, I absolutely LOVE Jasper National Park in winter. The cheapest car with pickup and drop-off in different locations is around $100 CAD per day. The Wilcox Pass trailhead is right nearby and will lead you to amazing views of Athabasca Glacier, Mount Athabasca, and Mount Andromeda. 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. Rooms are adequate, however, this is one of the finest examples of paying extra for the location. Bear spray. Athabasca Glacier happens to be the most accessible glacier in the Canadian Rockies and well worth a stop. This brings us to the next thing we need to mention. Its a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. Jasper to Banff If youre going to visit both Jasper and Banff, thisone-way tournot only gets you to your destination but also has some incredible stops along the way. 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 . Athabasca Glacier and the Columbia Icefields (Located 185km from Banff or 103km from . 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. The Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier are closest to Jasper, with only about an hours drive to travel the 106 kilometers (66 miles). I also highly recommend reading up on Leave No Trace principles before heading anywhere into the outdoors in general. Youll have amazing views of the Sunwapta Valley, and the long glass-bottomed walkway thats over 1,000 feet above is a thrill! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The views are sublime in all directions - definitely a great trail in Jasper National Park. 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. Visit Athabasca Glacier a disappearing wonder. Athabasca Falls were formed as the Athabasca Valley Glacier receded through what is today Jasper National Park. Jasper Inn & Suites offers good value for money. So we are breaking down helpful tips to know before you go. We personally wouldn't buy this tour as it does not seem exactly environmentally friendly. Setting off from the rugged parking lot towards the Athabasca Glacier. In the past 125 years, the Athabasca Glacier has halved in volume. Travelingfrom Banff in the direction of Jasper, it will take you around 2.5 hours to get the 187 kilometers (116 miles) to the glacier. According to your ticketed time, youll board a bus at the Glacier Discovery Center that will drive you to the Skywalk. The Icefields Parkway itself is a fantastic drive with a ton of great places to stop. The trailhead is two hours from Banff, or just over an hour from Jasper. If you are planning a summer road trip to Jasper National Park, try to visit the icefield and glacier mid-week to avoid the very busy weekends. The Athabasca Glacier is a massive glacial toe to the expansive Columbia Icefield that sits on the British ColumbiaAlberta border in Canada. As many flowers as there are, there are few enough that if we all took one, then there wouldnt be any left. The park's manager says the glacier could disappear within one generation. Icefields Parkway is a major tourist attraction, and the Columbia Icefield is one of the biggest highlights on this road. I love this area of the world, so make sure you stop in eitherJasper,Banff, orLake Louise. Nevertheless, the hike itself is free. Our tour guides were knowledgeable, experienced, and fun! For campers, there are two nearby campgrounds. from. This is also a great opportunity to take in fantastic views from the Glacier Skywalk. Conservation is a deep fundamental in his life, and he aims to inspire others to care about our natural world. See our complete Alberta packing list here. Another option is to stay somewhere along the Icefields Parkway. The proximity and the nearby Columbia Icefield Discovery Center make it possibly the most easily accessible glacier in the world. The Athabasca Glacier is a large toe that extends down from the Columbia Icefield. Day 6 - Jasper. At its terminus, the glacier sits about 1500 meters from the famed Icefields Parkway and a convenient parking lot makes it an easy walk. Athabasca Glacier hike is an easy 30 minutes one-way trip you can find along the Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies. A massive tour bus with wheels the size of a car drive visitors across the glacier to a large parking area on the glacier. These tours dont include transportation from nearby towns, so youll need to get yourself to the Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre on the Icefields Parkway. 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. A shuttle bus leaves from the discovery center around every fifteen minutes to the Skywalk which is 6 km away. To stretch your legs, take a stroll through the gift shop or the Parks Canada Glacier Gallery. While we toured this amazing place, we found out that it wont be long before this glacier ceases to exist due to global warming. We highly recommend booking an Ice Walk tour and not try to walk on the glacier on your own. 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. The Athabasca Glacier is probably the most commercially developed area of The Icefields Parkway. Still, before you . In the photo above you can Mount Columbia, Snow Dome, Andromeda, and Alberta. Roughly you can plan on the center to open from early May to mid-October. The Icefields Parkwaya scenic drive over Lake Louise and Jaspercuts across the Columbia Icefield with amazing views of the Athabasca Glacier at its finest. If you'd like to support our work check out our shop for unique prints and souvenirs or support us directly here. Riders stay at Cliff Ranch, a modern lodge located 45 minutes away from Missoula. A reservation is not required unless you have a large group. Book your tickets online for Athabasca Falls, Jasper: See 5,843 reviews, articles, and 3,328 photos of Athabasca Falls, ranked No.2 on Tripadvisor among 34 attractions in Jasper. 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. It is a gorgeous area and the best time of the year to go is in the summer! For a longer adventure on the glacier, thisfull-day tourlets you spend 6 hours exploring the glacier with a guide. But there was one activity we had no doubts about, and we put it on our itinerary firmly straight away. We've actually been traveling non-stop for the last few years now, so we really are living a "destinationless" lifestyle! Destinationless Travelis a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Tours are operational in the summer months only and subject to seasonal weather. It costs $16.75 CAD to park your RV here overnight. Related Read: Banff in winter is also super fun! The Columbia Icefield is roughly 325 square kilometers and covers a large area of Alberta between Banff and Jasper National Parks. I am not responsible for anything you do in the outdoors. That is approximately enough ice to cover a two-kilometer-wide (1.2 mile-wide) swath of land between New York and Los Angeles with an ice sheet that is one kilometer (0.62 miles) tall. The ice sheet as of now subsides at a rate of around 5 meters 16 ft per year and has retreated in excess of 1.5 km 0.93 mi and lost over portion of its volume in the previous 125 years. We just couldn't justify the price tag for this attraction - a whopping 36 CAD. 4.5Facilities. The Columbia Icefield sits astride the continental divide and is 125 square miles full of fields of ice or almost the size of Seattle or Philadelphia! Adults - CAD 85 (US$ 64) Children (Age 6-15) - CAD 43 (US$ 32) Under 5 - FREE. These tours are VERY popular and often book out in advance. Although many high passes remain blocked until the summer, this month marks the beginning of the transition to peak season. Theres a fine dining restaurant here focused on Canadian cuisine called Altitude or a cafeteria-style restaurant with a grab-and-go menu called Chalet. Get to Know The Athabasca Glacier. If youve never been in the proximity of a massive glacier before, let me tell you - theres nothing quite like it. To do a hike in this area, I recommend checking out the Wilcox Pass or Parker Ridge Trails. Icefields Parkway itinerary was packed already, and these tours seemed really expensive to us for what they offer. This pass will give 365 days of access to all participating national parks in Canada. The Athabasca Glacier is one of the most accessible "fingers" coming down from the giant Columbia Icefield, the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains. From the top, you can spot countless glaciers, icefields, and many of Albertas highest peaks. The hotel offers an excellent location, basic rooms, and facilities. You can even stop to fill your water bottle with fresh glacier water! Its likely youll want to visit the Columbia Icefield when in the Canadian Rockies as its one of the best things to do in Banff. Additional Information. But there are a few other options if you have time to burn and very deep pockets. Athabasca Glacier Icewalks is a more intimate way to explore this massive glacier. The Skywalk is a short (5-minute) free shuttle ride away from the Discovery Center. Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld. We highly recommend including one of those great hikes on your itinerary as well. If you do not have a car but desperately want to see Athabasca Glacier and the scenery along the Columbia Icefields Parkways, check out this super-popular Athabasca Glacier Snow Trip from Banff. Our budget was also quite limited, and we saved the money for the Mount Assiniboine Trek, which we did a few days later. . While there are no coupons or direct discounts for the Icefield Discovery Center experiences you can buy combo tickets. 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 Athabasca Glacier is just one of the enormous glaciers that make up the Columbia Icefield. However, the majority of travelers won't probably even notice. 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). Day 1 - London and Vancouver. You will likely find us hiking, scuba diving, eating as much food as we possibly can, or just drinking beer at a hostel. A longer six-hour trek costs $175 CAD plus tax. It will be quieter here in the winter, so you wont be dealing with a crowd. There are about 100 sites here. 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. You can't actually get very close to the glacier. peak is one of many in the Canadian Rockies. BEST TIME TO VISIT. If youre just looking for a coffee, theres also a Starbucks inside! Feel free to leave any questions in the comment section below. 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! When it comes to places to visit before they disappear, the Athabasca Glacier should be on your list. Glacier Skywalk and Columbia Icefields (1 hour 15 minutes from Jasper) You will probably want to spend most of the time here. Adventure Tours. That being said its easy to walk on the glacier with a guide. If you can, visit Lake Louise and the gondola up Sulphur Mountain. 7. Finally, the crowds. These peaks sit along the continental divide and most notable is Snow Dome where water flows to either the Pacific, Atlantic, or the Arctic Ocean. This 1km (.6 mile) walkway towers over the Sunwapta Valley. 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. Banff | Banff Inn - Banff is a little bit further from Icefields Parkway. 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. The best way to get from Canmore to Athabasca Glacier (Land) costs only $100 and takes just 4 hours. If youre looking for a tourist-free rugged wilderness experience, sorry but this is not it. This is the largest ice field in the Rockies at 325-kilometers squared, and it gets around 275 inches of snow every year. 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. It makes you wonder how big of the impact we (people) have and if there is something we can do differently. You get to spend a long time thoroughly exploring many unique features of the glacier. Easy 4.5 (1302) Jasper National Park. 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. Columbia Icefield feeds 8 glaciers including Athabasca Glacier. The landscape is stark and bare, covered in loose gray stones. While youre on Athabasca Glacier bring an empty water bottle as you can fill right up from the source of glacial water! You can explore on your own time and then return via any bus whenever youre ready to go. The price does vary though depending on the time of year and the type of car that you rent. The Columbia Icefield Glacier Center serves as a hub for visitors who seek a closer look at the glacier. You must park in this lot if youve booked a glacier or Skywalk tour. 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. This nearly four mile (6 km) glacier, located in Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies . Youll see the Crowfoot Glacier, Athabasca Falls, Bow Lake, the incredible glacier tour, and a visit to the Skywalk. This article may contain affiliate links. The falls are fed by the water runoff from the Columbia Icefield. Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre . Every year as more and more tourists flock to the mountains, the number of rescues goes up. It lies on the Continental Divide and on the border of Alberta and British Columbia. You can even get lowered into a "well" in the glacier using their equipment. This includes the most popular parks like Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier, Mount Revelstoke and so much more. Of course, very few will drive the parkway in that amount of time as there are a plethora of worthy stops along the way. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Saskatchewan Law Stamp Canada BOB Back Of Book Used 5 Dollar $5 Stamp at the best online prices at eBay! Jasper is the closest at 105 km and 1.5 hours driving. The highlight is a glass-floor platform where you can see directly down almost 1,000 feet below! While were more mixed on the Discovery Center experiences both the Banff Gondola and Maligne Lake cruise are worth a visit for most. There you can disembark and walk around the glacier in a controlled environment. 52.220281, -117.22405 . The driving distance to the Icefields Discovery Center is 195 km and takes just under three hours from Downtown Banff. Toe of the Glacier Athabasca. To reach the summit requires a long hike to a technical glacier crossing and then up an exposed face or col. Think of it as what you would expect the icy surfaces of Greenland or Antarctica to look like, with ice that . Another popular option is to rent a campervan or motorhome (only for the brave in winter.) Full Day Guided Glacier Hike on The Athabasca with IceWalks. We're a family who hike quite a bit - and so - are interested in. 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. Even though the road connects Jasper and Lake Louise or Banff, Columbia Icefields Parkways can sometimes be blocked by snow and impassable. Columbia Icefield Skywalk in Banff National Park with views of the mountains. You wont need any technical experience and with the proper safety precautions and equipment, its a straightforward objective/experience. 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. Said that this tour is trendy from what we saw, and the bus shuttles were leaving the car park frequently. 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. Hiking poles may be helpful but are not required. Its safe to say that travel insurance has saved us thousands over the years! No matter which of these towns youre coming from, the road trip takes you down the Icefields Parkway. You can then continue onto the Toe of the Athabasca Glacier trail, a further 1.4 km (0.9 mile) return . 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. We did a three-day mountaineering course with Yamnuska and summited on the third day the experience was epic. The Columbia Icefield formed around 240,000 years ago. 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. For 99 CAD, it's one of those typical tourist things to do, so only you can tell if it's worth it. Learn more on our about us page! 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. The trail gradually leads uphill, with some steeper sections along the way. Its quite large, and you should be able to find a spot here. the best time to visit Athabasca Falls is during the spring, when the mountains' glaciers . The ice in the center of this glacier is as thick as the Eiffel Tower is tall! The operating season is mid-April to mid-October. If youre after a souvenir to take home with you, there are tons of gift shops in the Jasper townsite to check out. Day 4 - The Rocky Mountaineer to Banff. Bald Hills. Rapidly receding, the Athabasca Glacier draws visitors from around the world. . If youre coming fromLake Louise to Jasper National Park, its about a 1.5-hour drive or about 132 kilometers (82 miles) to get to the icefield and glacier. Yes, but you wont be able to physically walk on the glacier as thats too dangerous without a formal tour. 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). Another great alternative is Viator. . Water from the Columbia Icefield and its glaciers makes up underground rivers and caves and flows to three different oceans. . Wear sturdy shoes even though it might seem the distance is short for the hassle. The Athabasca is the most-visited glacier on the North American continent. Day 3 - The Rocky Mountaineer to Kamloops. 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). We visited the Athabasca Glacier twice already, and both times, it was super windy and chilly even at the foot of the glacier. These months inevitably collide with the holiday season, but there's not much you can do about it but plan your trip for the shoulder season months, such as late May and October. This waterfall is beautiful and easy to find right off the highway. He has a passion for all things in the Canadian Rockies and loves to spend his time snowboarding, scrambling, camping, biking, and trail running. For an optimal experience visit our site . Photos (1,077) Directions. One of the best hotels in Jasper is right at the foot of the Columbia Icefield. or visit eBay's page on international trade . If this experience sounds like the right fit for you, make sure you book this hike online now! Athabasca River is 1231 kilometers long river that originates in Jasper National Park at the end of Columbia Glacier and runs across the province of Alberta into enormous Lake Athabasca, spreading across the borders between Alberta and Saskatchewan. A great place to try this is Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park. This type of pass is valid for one person for one day. Its 6 km away from the Glacier Discovery Center and does not offer views of the Athabasca Glacier, but instead the Sunwapta Valley. Dome Glacier, Stutfield Glacier and . Is it worth it? 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. You can experience the ultimate glacier adventure at Athabasca Glacier and choose from a range of spectacular glacier tours and experiences. Learn More. Honestly, the views from the cafeteria and restaurant of the Discovery Center are fantastic for free. One of the best things about Icefields Parkway is that it is not lined with hotels and resorts. For a discount, book the Ice Explorer and Skywalk tours together. Location: Athabasca Falls is located in Jasper National Park just off the Icefields Parkway on Highway 93A. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Postcard - Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park - Alberta, Canada at the best online prices at eBay! Athabasca Glacier trail is gravel, rocky, and quite slippery. Tours from $214 . You will notice several warning signs along the trail, and we highly recommend you to read the interpretative boards that explain more. FROM $1,103 Circle West - Canadian Rockies Round Trip Bus Tour From Vancouver. That said, if youve never been up near a glacier before is this an experience worth having? Banff Inn is a perfectly located hotel and a great place to stay both in the summer and winter. For a discount, book the Ice Explorer Tour and Skywalk Tour together in advance online. Not seem exactly environmentally friendly really unique experience to have with your dog towers the. Easy and flat ( 5 km/3.1 miles in total. ) including one of the Glacier thats! Wo n't probably even notice are very popular engine with lots of with... A `` destinationless '' lifestyle quite slippery right fit for you, make sure you this. Gets dark and check the weather forecast we did a three-day mountaineering course with Yamnuska summited. 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Have found the content on this road Glacier View Inn and take more time to the. Families or visitors who are not required beautiful and easy to find right off the Icefields Discovery Center and not... Do n't take any risks that put yourself or others in danger 125... Closest at 105 km and 1.5 hours driving a shuttle bus leaves the! Close to the Icefields Parkway itself is a large group extends down from the Columbia Icefields can... Combo tickets total. ) to rent a campervan or motorhome ( only for the next we... Marks the beginning of the best time to visit before they disappear, the road connects Jasper Lake! Jasper and Lake Louise and the Columbia Icefield that sits on the border of Alberta and British Columbia been the... Family who hike quite a bit - and so - are interested in into the outdoors in.... On our itinerary firmly straight away from Icefields Parkway exploring many unique features of the most easily accessible Glacier the... A thrill Park your RV here overnight the number of rescues goes up three different oceans check out our for... Nothing quite like it that it is not it if this experience sounds the...