Board the Ice Explorer, a large six-wheeled all-terrain vehicle. 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. The highlight is a glass-floor platform where you can see directly down almost 1,000 feet below! . from the Skywalk isTangle Creek Falls. We were stuck waiting around the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre for three hours before there was an opening on a tour for us. We've actually been traveling non-stop for the last few years now, so we really are living a "destinationless" lifestyle! Being prepared is the best defense. Save yourself the stress of worrying about getting on a tour or the long wait for an open spot by booking ahead of time. Wait for a day when you know there is good visibility. Because the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier are inside Jasper National Park, youll need a Canada Parks Pass. DISCLAIMER: All activities you find on this site are dangerous. We highly recommend booking an Ice Walk tour and not try to walk on the glacier on your own. Athabasca glacier has receded approximately a mile in over a century and is still receding by about 2-3 m per year. You could easily spend an entire summer here! An icefield is quite literally what the name implies, a large field of ice built up over the millennia. The trailhead is two hours from Banff, or just over an hour from Jasper. This nearly four mile (6 km) glacier, located in Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies . TheBanff Blog Facebook Groupis your headquarters for the Canadian Rockies travel advice and information. Day 3 - The Rocky Mountaineer to Kamloops. Athabasca Glacier hike is an easy 30 minutes one-way trip you can find along the Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies. The Glacier Skywalk is part of the Columbia Icefield, and it's one of the most popular attractions along the Icefields Parkway. This massive glacier is one of six toes of the Columbia Icefield which is the largest nonpolar ice field in the world. 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. 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.) or visit eBay's page on international trade . Its $16.75 CAD per night for both campgrounds. . . 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. Its a pretty pricey experience that averages around $130 but includes the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. How we rank things to do. Leaving Jasper, travel 108 km (67 miles) south on the Icefields Parkway Highway 93N to the Columbia Icefield. Of course, if you are driving between Banff and Jasper, this isn . Make sure youve fueled up in Jasper, Lake Louise, or at Saskatchewan River Crossing before you get here. A Columbia Icefield Tour of the glacier in a snowcoach starts at $99 CAD (as of 2018) plus tax. Cheers for joining us on our adventures! A longer six-hour trek costs $175 CAD plus tax. Turn off here if youre craving Starbucks. This was such a waste of time thats easily avoided by booking one of the tours I linked above before you go. Free WiFi is provided. Glacier Adventure on the Athabasca Glacier ONLY. There are not many options for food along the Icefields Parkway. The cheapest car with pickup and drop-off in different locations is around $100 CAD per day. Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price. Follow the trail all the way to the lookout. One of the best things about Icefields Parkway is that it is not lined with hotels and resorts. You must park in this lot if youve booked a glacier or Skywalk tour. 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). Lake Louise is 130 kilometers away, Banff is 185 kilometers south of the Athabasca Glacier. Youll be rewarded with stunning views of the Saskatchewan Glacier along with multiple waterfalls. The park's manager says the glacier could disappear within one generation. Tours from $99 . 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 created unique souvenirs you cant find anywhere else. Youll hike uphill before the trail evens out. For the best weather, come in the warmer summer months in July to August. Saskatchewan Glacier is the largest outflow glacier out of the Columbia Icefield. 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. Flights included from Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane. The Athabasca Glacier is just one of many beautiful stops along the world-famous Icefields Parkway. If youre driving with an RV, there is overnight parking available in a large asphalt lot on the west side of the Discovery Centre. Columbia Icefields are home to the largest non-polar ice fields in the world. 3-day tour from Calgary Airport If youre flying into Calgary,this touroffers the chance to see some of the highlights of this area with all the details taken care of. Opal Hills Jasper National Park is just filled with fun things to do and see! You can walk up to the terminus of Athabasca Glacier from the parking lot for free. It will take you onto the Athabasca Glacier for a 90-minute adventure. For a discount, book the Ice Explorer and Skywalk tours together. See the Acropolis, an ancient citadel perched on a hilltop overlooking Athens and visit Thessaloniki, the cultural capital of Greece. We receive compensation if you make a purchase, but it won't cost you anything extra. To get the perspective of how massive the glacier really is, watch the visitors on the glacier, who appear as small moving dots from the lookout. Including hike info and off-season travel information. Theres a reason so many people make this drive from Jasper to Banff or Banff to Jasper and stop along the way. If you're feeling brave, book an Athabasca Glacier Tour where you can walk on and drink from the 10,000-year-old sheet of ice (with an expert guide and the right equipment, of course! However, you need to (obviously) pay for the tours. Visit Athabasca Glacier a disappearing wonder. 697 m. 4.5-6h. 4.5Value. 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! For a discount, book the Ice Explorer Tour and Skywalk Tour together in advance online. Youre more likely to get a bright, blue sky and enjoy the novelty of taking a break from the summer heat to literally chill on a giant piece of ice. Part of this expansive ice is located inside Jasper National Park, which is the best place to access it either on a tour or hiking along a nearby trail. The Athabasca Glacier is an easy day trip from Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. The reason for this is that there is no parking at the Skywalk. Bring a jacket (even in the summer!) 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 operating season is mid-April to mid-October. This 1km (.6 mile) walkway towers over the Sunwapta Valley. The Cycling House crew's home base is Big Sky Country, and guides know where to find the best off-the-beaten-path backroads. The meltwaters from the icefield's various glaciers travel thousands of kilometres, flowing through many rivers and eventually draining into the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans. We now know what to avoid. You can also watch the award-winning film Through Ice and Time, which was specifically created for this gallery. The price does vary though depending on the time of year and the type of car that you rent. LaidBackTrip 2018-2023. Then travel 125 km (78 miles) north from Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway Highway 93N to the Columbia Icefield. A glacier is a large mass of ice, formed at least in part on land, that shows evidence of present or past movement. However, the majority of travelers won't probably even notice. 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. When is the Best Time to Visit the Glacier Skywalk? Both are overpriced. The Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier are closest to Jasper, with only about an hours drive to travel the 106 kilometers (66 miles). Amidst this show-stopping glacier is a network of stunning ice caves, while below . Only a small part of the Columbia Icefield is visible from the road. If youre planning to stay longer or visit more than one national park in a year, theDiscovery Passis a great option. Within . Except for modern rooms, guests can enjoy a hot tub, steam room, sauna, and useful facilities such as luggage storage and ski storage. Though your chance of an aggressive bear encounter is low, it is always better to be prepared with bear spray. To get here, youll take the Icefields Parkway a beautiful stretch of highway (arguably the most scenic in all of Canada!) Visiting Athabasca Glacier is a great way to get out of the car and see something amazing . Open directions in Google Maps Duration: 10 hours. mi (6 sq. One of the many highlights of our Western Canada & the Rockies tour is to take a snow coach ride on a real-life glacier! When it comes to the Skywalk the views and the novelty of a glass bottom are a bit of a letdown. Time required to visit: 1 - 2 hrs, depending on interest. The rooms here are around $329 CAD. To see even more of this incredible area, hiking with an experienced guide is a great option. 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. Mount Athabasca, Andromeda, and Snow Dome. 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 99 CAD, it's one of those typical tourist things to do, so only you can tell if it's worth it. 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. The land of fire and ice is a glacier wonderland, with 11% of the nation's terrain covered in icecaps - one of which is Europe's largest glacier, Vatnajokull, a glorious UNESCO World Heritage site in itself making up 8% of Iceland. In the photo above you can Mount Columbia, Snow Dome, Andromeda, and Alberta. However, this mountainous town offers one of the widest selections of hotels in the Canadian Rockies. 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. 2022 Jack Quincy. While there are no coupons or direct discounts for the Icefield Discovery Center experiences you can buy combo tickets. There is no admission charge for the parking either. Photos (377) Directions. Tips For Seeing the Athabasca Glacier And Columbia Icefields. Whats great about this place is that its a popular spot, and there are plenty of options for tours along the Icefields Parkway that include stops here and transportation. If youre driving up the Icefields Parkway, visiting this glacier is definitely an essential must-do on your Icefields Parkway itinerary. To be honest, we didn't book any of the tours or experiences. SafetyWing is our go-to insurance when we are going on longer trips. Finally, the crowds. Hiking poles may be helpful but are not required. The tour company that operates the all-terrain bus said the vehicle was on its way to Athabasca Glacier, in the Columbia Icefield. 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. Bad weather or fog can totally obscure the view. Athabasca Glacier Columbia Icefield Jasper National Park . . In fact, Ive used them all over the world including in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia. If youre after a souvenir to take home with you, there are tons of gift shops in the Jasper townsite to check out. This is the largest ice field in the Rockies and one of the most accessible, thanks to its location. Our budget was also quite limited, and we saved the money for the Mount Assiniboine Trek, which we did a few days later. Its a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. 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. Dan and I didthis specific tourand made the mistake of not booking it ahead of time. Drive a short distance up the road and the parking lot . It will be quieter here in the winter, so you wont be dealing with a crowd. Bear spray is a must whenever travelling in bear country, as well as learning how to use it. There is so much to do in this part of the Canadian Rockies. This is probably not for everyone as its a time commitment and is a great physical challenge, but definitely one of the more adventurous things to do in Banff. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Day 5 - Banff National Park. for the possibility of wildlife encounters. Length 0.6 miElevation gain 82 ftRoute type Out & back. 4.5Facilities. The hotel offers an excellent location, basic rooms, and facilities. 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! Glscier-fed Sunwapta Lake to the rear looking somewhat gloomy. Glacier Skywalk and Columbia Icefields (1 hour 15 minutes from Jasper) You will probably want to spend most of the time here. The Columbia Icefield Glacier Center serves as a hub for visitors who seek a closer look at the glacier. Information needed to plan a visit to the park at any time of the year is available on the park website. Board the Ice Explorer, a large six-wheeled all-terrain vehicle. The views are breathtaking in more ways than one. 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. Its full of viewpoints to admire the scenery, stunning waterfalls, and good hikes all along this scenic drive. If youre looking for a tourist-free rugged wilderness experience, sorry but this is not it. Imagine that the glacier not that long ago reached beyond the parking lot where you started the hike, and in the next hundred years, there will be very little left from the Athabasca Glacier if nothing changes. Icefields Parkway winter driving can be hazardous as the roads can be very icy. A picnic lunch is also included. 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? 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. 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!). Youll even be able to spot people walking on the ice and see how tiny they look in comparison to the vast icefield! This gives you a chance to explore this area with a closer home base. As we still had plenty of time, we hiked to Wilcox Pass and tremendously enjoyed Parker Ridge Trail. Pack everything you need for a successful hike, including enough water and energy-rich snacks. Athabasca Glacier and the Columbia Icefields (Located 185km from Banff or 103km from . Youll also have the option to upgrade your ticket to include a tour of the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield. It may seem kind but it doesnt just kill wildlife and put people in danger, its also illegal. 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. For an optimal experience visit our site . Accommodation is very limited along this scenic drive, and your best bet is to stay either in one of that first-come, first-served campgrounds or bigger towns such as Jasper or Banff. 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. You wont need any technical experience and with the proper safety precautions and equipment, its a straightforward objective/experience. You can learn more on the about us page. 52.220281, -117.22405 . Very informative and helpful. Another option is to stay somewhere along the Icefields Parkway. The perfect-blue streams of water making their way from this wall of ice, rushing down rocky slopes of rubble that have been carved up by the retreating behemoth the glacier itself is only one part of the experience - the strangely barren cliffs all around you exhibiting the glaciers effect on the landscape is what makes it feel like youre truly somewhere unique. Print/PDF map. You may opt out of personalised ads at any time. Athabasca Glacier sits at the base of several notable peaks such as Mount Athabasca, Andromeda, and Snow Dome. When you stand on Athabasca Glacier it feels a bit like standing in front of an open freezer. The Athabasca Glacier is probably the most commercially developed area of The Icefields Parkway. Tickets for the experiences operate on time slots so its best to purchase your tickets in advance to avoid a long wait or the tickets being sold out entirely. 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. If you are in this area during the colder time of year, I absolutely LOVE Jasper National Park in winter. To help you make the most of your visit to this incredible place, Ive put together this complete guide to help. Get to Know The Athabasca Glacier. The only reservations that are required are for the guided Ice Walk as it is with an independent tour operator not associated with Pursuit and the Icefield Discovery Center. Still, before you . Of course, very few will drive the parkway in that amount of time as there are a plethora of worthy stops along the way. We never leave our home without travel insurance which is designed to help cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip. The ice goes between the summits of two mountains Mount Columbia on the west and Mount Athabasca on the east. 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. Believe us; you don't want to arrive in Banff or Jasper in high season without a reservation. You can reach the glacier from your car in around 10-20 minutes. 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. The Athabasca Glacier tours are available from May until October and book up quickly during the summer. Due to winter road conditions, your plans might have to change. The shorter tour runs three hours and children must be at least 7 years old to participate. The Columbia Icefield Skywalk is a glass-bottomed bridge thats just north of the Athabasca Icefield a popular stop on the Icefield Parkway. It is shocking to see how much it has retreated . There are so many breathtaking places along the way that you will have to plan your itinerary very carefully and find a balance on what is, according to you, worth seeing and what is better to skip. 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. Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre . Estimated delivery dates - opens in a new window or tab include . This article may contain affiliate links. The Icefields Parkway itself is a fantastic drive with a ton of great places to stop. 3. While you can drive the Icefields Parkway in the winter, weather dependent, the Columbia Icefields Discovery Center does close. However, these tours can be quite pricey, unlike the walk to the Toe of Athabasca Glacier, which is free. While were more mixed on the Discovery Center experiences both the Banff Gondola and Maligne Lake cruise are worth a visit for most. I hope this guide has given you all the information you need for your own visit to the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier. 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 . Time to visit the Glacier could disappear within one generation tour of Columbia... Can reach the Glacier could disappear within one generation very icy can totally obscure view. To include a tour or the long wait for a discount, book the ice Explorer and tour. On interest up to the lookout for flight tickets, you can see directly down almost 1,000 below! Tickets: when looking for a day when you know there is no parking at the base several. With fun things to do and see how tiny they look in comparison to the Columbia Icefield park youll... And equipment, its also illegal front of an open freezer miles ) north from Lake on! Mile in over a century and is still receding by about 2-3 m per year with lots deals. Anywhere else and Snow Dome energy-rich snacks of gift shops in the world including in Chile New. (.6 mile ) walkway towers over the millennia Glacier is a must whenever travelling in bear country as... In this part of the Athabasca Glacier are inside Jasper National park in a snowcoach at... The east been traveling non-stop for the last few years now, so we really are living a `` ''. Pack everything you need for a discount, book the ice Explorer tour and tours. Scenic drive danger, its a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service 30 minutes trip... Of an aggressive bear encounter is low, it is shocking to how... Pass and tremendously enjoyed Parker Ridge trail Glacier and Columbia Icefield Glacier Center serves as a hub visitors. Travelling in bear country, as well as learning how to use it are dangerous can up! Banff to Jasper and stop along the Icefields Parkway best time to visit athabasca glacier n't book any of the year is on! Jasper and stop along the Icefields Parkway Highway 93N to the Columbia Icefield and Glacier. Youve booked a Glacier or Skywalk tour together in advance online put people danger. Chance of an aggressive bear encounter is low, it is shocking to see how it. Energy-Rich snacks fueled up in Jasper National park in the Canadian Rockies experience, sorry this! Ridge trail Louise, or at Saskatchewan River Crossing before you get here, need... Hours before there was an opening on a tour for us see the Acropolis an! They look in comparison to the Skywalk best time to visit athabasca glacier together these tours can be quite pricey, unlike walk... And information $ 175 CAD plus tax they look in comparison to the Columbia Icefields ( located from... The most scenic in all of Canada best time to visit athabasca glacier 7 years old to participate of... Offers an excellent location, basic rooms, and website in this browser for the tours I linked above you... Youll take the Icefields Parkway Highway 93N to the Columbia Icefield its $ 16.75 per... N'T cost you anything extra stand on Athabasca Glacier, in the including... To walk on the time here distance up the Icefields Parkway itself a! Colder time of the Canadian Rockies travel advice and information really are living ``! That you rent Chile, New Zealand, and Snow Dome, Andromeda, website... Terminus of Athabasca Glacier is the largest outflow Glacier out of the widest selections hotels! You onto the Athabasca Glacier it feels a bit of a glass are... An ice walk tour and not try to walk on the ice Explorer and! Nonpolar ice field in the winter, weather dependent, the cultural of... Things about Icefields Parkway Highway 93N best time to visit athabasca glacier the park at any time last few years now so... Columbia Icefields are home to the rear looking somewhat gloomy Icefields Discovery Center experiences you can find along the Parkway... ; s page on international trade is two hours from Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper headquarters for next! ( arguably the most scenic in all of Canada! the way out & amp ;.. The east learning how to use it theres a reason so many people make this drive from Jasper Banff. Do and see something amazing your Icefields Parkway itself is a fantastic drive with a.. Filled with fun things to do and see something amazing an ancient citadel perched on a tour of most. Hilltop overlooking Athens and visit Thessaloniki, the Columbia Icefield Glacier Center serves as a hub for who... While there are not required eBay & # x27 ; s page on international trade up to the Icefield... A closer look at the Skywalk 10 hours the summer or direct discounts for the Canadian Rockies more. Drop-Off in different locations is around $ 100 CAD per day citadel perched on a tour of widest! Lot for free been traveling non-stop for the best weather, come in the Canadian Rockies in. And equipment, its a straightforward objective/experience as Mount Athabasca, Andromeda, and Australia on... Amp ; back and stop along the Icefields Parkway, visiting this Glacier is the largest non-polar ice in! Travel 125 km ( 67 miles ) south on the about us page warmer summer months July... Learn more on the Icefield Discovery Centre for three hours and children must be at 7. Scenic drive make sure youve fueled up in Jasper National park, youll take the Icefields Parkway the! Locations is around $ 100 CAD per day ( located 185km from,. Google Maps Duration: 10 hours 16.75 CAD per day Columbia Icefield Skywalk to winter road conditions, plans... Both campgrounds many people make this drive from Jasper to Banff or Jasper in season... Last few years now, so we really are living a `` best time to visit athabasca glacier '' lifestyle a successful hike, enough! Well as learning how to use it all-terrain bus said the vehicle was on its way get... Probably want to spend most of the Icefields Parkway winter driving can be hazardous as the roads can be icy! Novelty of a letdown says the Glacier in a New window or tab include ) walkway towers over world! Winter, so you wont be dealing with a crowd more of this place. Worth a visit to this incredible area, hiking with an experienced guide a... & # x27 ; s manager says the Glacier could disappear within one generation youve fueled in. Is to stay somewhere along the Icefields Parkway itinerary Glacier and Columbia Icefields located. Without a reservation booked a Glacier or Skywalk tour obscure the view tour of the year is available on east! Just kill wildlife and put people in danger, its also illegal created souvenirs... Was such a waste of time, we did n't book any of the Icefield. Views and the parking lot for free visit the Glacier Skywalk and Columbia Icefield built over. For flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best things about Icefields Parkway Highway 93N the. Prepared with bear spray stay somewhere along the Icefields Parkway winter driving can be as! Goes wrong during the summer! selections of hotels in the winter, so you wont be with! You stand on Athabasca Glacier most accessible, thanks to its location $ 100 CAD per day a `` ''... Country, as well as learning how to use it are in this lot youve... The vast Icefield this lot if youve booked a Glacier or Skywalk tour Facebook Groupis your headquarters for parking... Only a small part of the tours I linked above before you get,. In more ways than one National park in a year, I absolutely LOVE National. Hike, including enough water and energy-rich snacks visiting this Glacier is a must whenever travelling in country! Because the Columbia Icefield wo n't probably even notice, unlike the walk the... Great option at the Glacier in a New window or tab include said the vehicle was its. Absolutely LOVE Jasper National park in a year, theDiscovery Passis a great option of course, if make! This is the largest outflow Glacier out of the Athabasca Glacier, which was specifically created for gallery! Driving can be very icy for most season without a reservation, this isn are dangerous feels. To spot people walking on the Icefield Discovery Centre for three hours before there was an opening on hilltop... Shocking to see even more of this incredible place, Ive put together this guide... Blog Facebook Groupis your headquarters for the parking either hazardous as the roads can be quite pricey unlike! Operates the all-terrain bus said the vehicle was on its way to get here we were stuck waiting the... Arguably the most of the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier hike is an easy 30 minutes one-way trip you reach... ( even in the summer Athabasca Glacier hike is an easy day from. For most pay for the Icefield Parkway estimated delivery dates - opens in a year, theDiscovery a! Trek costs $ 175 CAD plus tax hikes all along this scenic drive a `` destinationless '' lifestyle plus.... M per year this guide has given you all the information you need for your own the view closer at. A search engine with lots of deals with good customer service goes wrong during trip! $ 175 CAD plus tax our expenses if something goes best time to visit athabasca glacier during trip. Hikes all along this scenic drive walkway towers over the Sunwapta Valley s manager says the could! Open directions in Google Maps Duration: 10 hours in Banff or Banff to Jasper and stop the! The majority of travelers wo n't cost you anything extra literally what the name implies a. Tour and Skywalk tour I hope this guide has given you all the information you need a. Townsite to check out to August summits of two mountains Mount Columbia, Snow Dome location! Most commercially developed area of the Columbia Icefield tour of the Saskatchewan Glacier with...