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. We receive compensation if you make a purchase, but it won't cost you anything extra. Parks Canada Passes can be bought online here or at one of the Visitor Centers of booths at the entrance to many national parks. Including hike info and off-season travel information. The experiences are allowed to be used on separate days. You can check out guided ice walk tours here. 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). Home Destination Guides North America Canada Alberta Jasper Athabasca Glacier, Posted on Last updated: March 1, 2023 By: Author destinationlesstravel, Categories Alberta, Banff, Canada, Destination Guides, Jasper, North America. The drive is one of the most beautiful in the entire world, and you should make time to divert off the road and check outour guide to some of the best stopswith viewpoints showcasing the incredible views. We were stuck waiting around the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre for three hours before there was an opening on a tour for us. 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. I also highly recommend reading up on Leave No Trace principles before heading anywhere into the outdoors in general. The landscape is stark and bare, covered in loose gray stones. On your walk through the dry glacier field you can see posts marking the glacier's retreat. 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!). If you buy ahead of time, youll be guaranteed a spot, so you wont have a long wait or risk the day you want to go being sold out. Icefields Parkway Weather (Best Time to Visit) Just like Banff and Jasper, the Icefields Parkway drive is fairly mild and warm in the summer months and very cold in the winter. 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. For a narrative audio tour around the Rockies, consider getting the Gypsy Guide. There you can disembark and walk around the glacier in a controlled environment. 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. Watch the blue circle signs with information about how much the glacier has melted over the years. To stretch your legs, take a stroll through the gift shop or the Parks Canada Glacier Gallery. You can check out guided ice walk tours here. I hope this guide has given you all the information you need for your own visit to the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier. 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. 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 first thing we need to mention is that even though this is a relatively short and easy hike, don't leave your warm layers and a windbreaker in the car. Traditionally the Ice Explorer is included in a Glacier Adventure ticket with the Glacier Skywalk. You can experience the ultimate glacier adventure at Athabasca Glacier and choose from a range of spectacular glacier tours and experiences. This massive glacier is one of six toes of the Columbia Icefield which is the largest nonpolar ice field in the world. TheBanff Blog Facebook Groupis your headquarters for the Canadian Rockies travel advice and information. Remember to pack out everything you pack in though - dont expect to find a convenient garbage can halfway up the trail. You may opt out of personalised ads at any time. It started forming at the end of the last Ice Age. A picnic lunch is also included. The daily rate for these passes is $10.50 CAD per adult, $21 CAD per family, and free for all kids 17 and under. 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 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. Day 5 - Banff National Park. You can combine the tickets with the Lake Minnewanka cruise, Banff Gondola, or Maligne Lake cruise for a discount. 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! Athabasca Glacier is about 3.7 mi (6 km ) in length with an area of 2.3 sq. Free WiFi is provided. 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. The Athabasca Glacier is just one of the enormous glaciers that make up the Columbia Icefield. You have a better chance of spotting wildlife like mountain goats and bighorn sheep and will avoid the peak crowds. 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. The Skywalk is a one-kilometer glass platform that hangs above the Sunwapta Valley. The Parker Ridge Trail is a short 2.7 km (1.6 miles) trail just south of the Discovery Centre. 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. Although only about 1.5 hours in length, it is a good experience and one you can easily work into your day driving the Icefields Parkway. Bad weather or fog can totally obscure the view. Day 5 - Banff National Park. Columbia Icefield Skywalk in Banff National Park with views of the mountains. Thank you. It is ONLY the best value if you are traveling alone and only plan to visit a national park for one day. between Lake Louise and Jasper. If youre planning to stay longer or visit more than one national park in a year, theDiscovery Passis a great option. Booking in advance is also strongly recommended since these experiences do have limited numbers and are very popular! Our budget was also quite limited, and we saved the money for the Mount Assiniboine Trek, which we did a few days later. To reach the summit requires a long hike to a technical glacier crossing and then up an exposed face or col. Dome Glacier, Stutfield Glacier and . A reservation is not required unless you have a large group. To avoid the crowds, visit outside of the peak summer months of July and August. FROM $214 Jasper to Banff One-Way Tour. Best time to visit Athabasca Falls. But there was one activity we had no doubts about, and we put it on our itinerary firmly straight away. from the Skywalk isTangle Creek Falls. Its a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. Planning ahead and booking one of the many Athabasca Glacier tours is the best way to see it up close. However, the Ice Walk tours across the Athabasca Glacier require advanced booking with the local tour company. 17. Athabasca Glacier hike is an easy 30 minutes one-way trip you can find along the Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies. It should answer all the questions you have about where the glacier is, if you have to book a tour, parking options, and all about the nearby visitor center. Because the Canadian Rockies is a destination where the winter can be really rough, it is always essential to plan your trip carefully and have a backup plan, especially if you plan on traveling outside the summer season. Prepare for the possibility of wildlife encounters. The Skywalk is a short (5-minute) free shuttle ride away from the Discovery Center. 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. This makes the visit more enjoyable, and you can focus on the incredible experience in front of you. 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. A giant one kilometre wide and six kilometre long tongue of the Athabasca Glacier hidden beyond the mountains. 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. Though your chance of an aggressive bear encounter is low, it is always better to be prepared with bear spray. It will take you onto the Athabasca Glacier for a 90-minute adventure. 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). 2022 Jack Quincy. 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. So, your tickets to the Skywalk include roundtrip transport from the Discovery Centre as well as your admission to get on the Skywalk itself. Columbia Icefield is the largest ice field in the Rockies of North America. We just couldn't justify the price tag for this attraction - a whopping 36 CAD. We visited the Athabasca Glacier twice already, and both times, it was super windy and chilly even at the foot of the glacier. Dan and I didthis specific tourand made the mistake of not booking it ahead of time. 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. Easy 4.5 (1302) Jasper National Park. However, you need to (obviously) pay for the tours. 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). The Columbia Icefields Discovery Center acts as the gateway for many visitors with interactive exhibits, tours, and features such as the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. The Columbia Icefield Glacier Center serves as a hub for visitors who seek a closer look at the glacier. 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. Columbia Icefield Adventure includes the Ice Explorer Tour on the Athabasca Glacier, admission to the Skywalk and return transportation from the Glacier Discovery Centre. Only a small part of the Columbia Icefield is visible from the road. The Athabasca Glacier is just one of many beautiful stops along the world-famous Icefields Parkway. You could easily spend an entire summer here! The Columbia Icefield is roughly 325 square kilometers and covers a large area of Alberta between Banff and Jasper National Parks. Day 1 - London and Vancouver. Opal Hills We created unique souvenirs you cant find anywhere else. All backpackers and people traveling on a budget rejoice; the Athabasca Glacier hike is free (as all hikes in Jasper National Park). A great place to try this is Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park. We've already briefly touched on this topic. Using Motorhome Republic you can search hundreds of deals across multiple companies to pick a great vehicle and the cheapest price. Its a beautiful campground with some truly amazing views of the surrounding area. We did a three-day mountaineering course with Yamnuska and summited on the third day the experience was epic. It may seem kind but it doesnt just kill wildlife and put people in danger, its also illegal. This is the largest ice field in the Rockies at 325-kilometers squared, and it gets around 275 inches of snow every year. You can also stay at Glacier View Inn and take more time to explore the Glacier. One of the best things about Icefields Parkway is that it is not lined with hotels and resorts. They are: If youre arriving in Alberta via plane then I cant recommend getting a rental car enough. Athabasca Glacier. The Athabasca Glacier is one of the most accessible "fingers" coming down from the giant Columbia Icefield, the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains. for the possibility of wildlife encounters. 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. Find the travel options that best suit you. However, you can still come in winter to hike theToe of the Athabasca Glacier TrailI previously mentioned. 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. No false summits - the trail meanders up this hill and then youre there. Hot Tip: Although more expensive up front, if you plan on spending more than 7 days in different parks in Canada within a 12-month period, then the Discovery Pass is actually the better deal! Lake Louise to Jasper Thisone-way tour from Lake Louiseincludes transportation to Jasper and some incredible stops along the way. from. The views are sublime in all directions - definitely a great trail in Jasper National Park. This brings us to the next thing we need to mention. It is formed by the compaction and recrystallization of snow into ice crystals and commonly also contains air, water and rock debris. 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. 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. The melting snow and waters from the glaciers flow straight north to the Arctic Ocean, east to the Atlantic Ocean and west to the Pacific Ocean. There are some interpretative storytelling boards about the history on the walkway that will take you to the lookout. Leaving Jasper, travel 108 km (67 miles) south on the Icefields Parkway Highway 93N to the Columbia Icefield. Nevertheless, the hike itself is free. This tour is family-friendly too since the hike is relatively easy and flat (5 km/3.1 miles in total.). The walk should only take 10-20 minutes and is easy enough for kids to tag along. The operating season is mid-April to mid-October. If youre traveling during these uncertain times, be sure that you have travel insurance! The Athabasca Glacier is the most visited glacier in all of North America and it is spectacular. Trail Length: 1.0km (.62 miles) Difficulty: Easy; Elevation Gain: 26m (85 feet) 7. 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. We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. The Athabasca Glacier tours are available from May until October and book up quickly during the summer. An icefield is quite literally what the name implies, a large field of ice built up over the millennia. If gravel biking is your other favorite sport, this Montana dirt-focused camp is for you. As you plan your own trip to this amazing place, Ive put together a complete guide with tips and advice to make the most of your visit. 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. This is a really special part of Canada, and touring a glacier is such a neat experience! The Athabasca Glacier is a massive glacial toe to the expansive Columbia Icefield that sits on the British ColumbiaAlberta border in Canada. Icefields Parkway is a major tourist attraction, and the Columbia Icefield is one of the biggest highlights on this road. Look for the trail markings that lead you across a bridge and up towards the glacier. This is a supremely helpful guide for the icefield. However, these tours can be quite pricey, unlike the walk to the Toe of Athabasca Glacier, which is free. I am not responsible for anything you do in the outdoors. Jasper is the closest at 105 km and 1.5 hours driving. Day 4 - The Rocky Mountaineer to Banff. More experiences in Banff & Jasper National Parks. See our complete Alberta packing list here. One of the many highlights of our Western Canada & the Rockies tour is to take a snow coach ride on a real-life glacier! 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. We're a family who hike quite a bit - and so - are interested in. Having a motorhome is a stunning way to see Canada, and using crown land and campsites, you can often camp for free or very cheap in the most beautiful places imaginable! Home Banff Columbia Icefield (Athabasca Glacier): 15 Tips for Visiting. We are Dan and Bailey, just your typical thrill-seeking travelers! . Its safe to say that travel insurance has saved us thousands over the years! As many flowers as there are, there are few enough that if we all took one, then there wouldnt be any left. That road will take you right to the small parking lot. The falls are fed by the water runoff from the Columbia Icefield. If youre hiking the free trail, theres a small parking lot near the trailhead. Columbia Icefield Campground has 33 tent-only sites that are first-come, first-served. Board the Ice Explorer, a large six-wheeled all-terrain vehicle. Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance. 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. We think this is one of the most spectacular areas and the perfect place for an outdoor vacation. After the walk to the glass-bottomed bridge its a short, but thrilling walk for many as they peer down on the valley far below. You can walk up to the terminus of Athabasca Glacier from the parking lot for free. We personally wouldn't buy this tour as it does not seem exactly environmentally friendly. For more information, read our guide on Camping in the Canadian Rockies. Day 3 - The Rocky Mountaineer. Its field staff is rigorously trained, especially for the glacier tour, which also includes educational facts . . A great add-on to your trip here isbuying a ticket to go on the Skywalk. 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 the Athabasca Glacier are located along the Alberta-British Columbia border. All support is much appreciated! You can learn more on the about us page. Located in: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada . 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