For more information, read our guide on Camping in the Canadian Rockies. It all depends on where youre staying the night before. At 6km in length, it is the only glacier in the area. Day 3 - The Rocky Mountaineer. Departs on Australia on 4 September 2023 & 20 May 2024. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for CANADA & NEWFOUNDLAND - BACK OF BOOK USED STAMPS LOT BOB at the best online prices at eBay! This two-lane highway is so much more than just a way to get from Point A to Point B. 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. If you'd like to support our work check out our shop for unique prints and souvenirs or support us directly here. More experiences in Banff & Jasper National Parks. We wanted to see Athabasca Glacier up close. Drive a short distance up the road and the parking lot . Please do not use my photos or trip reports without receiving permission. There are a number of facilities at the Discovery Center. You can combine the tickets with the Lake Minnewanka cruise, Banff Gondola, or Maligne Lake cruise for a discount. We did a three-day mountaineering course with Yamnuska and summited on the third day the experience was epic. To get a better view from the lookout, bring binoculars or a mirrorless camera with a telephoto lens. For an optimal experience visit our site . A shuttle bus leaves from the discovery center around every fifteen minutes to the Skywalk which is 6 km away. 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. 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. This postcard comes to life at the incredible Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier in Alberta. Our aim is to help you get the most out of your trip to Banff National Park and the surrounding areas. 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). But there are a few other options if you have time to burn and very deep pockets. When it comes to the Skywalk the views and the novelty of a glass bottom are a bit of a letdown. To do a hike in this area, I recommend checking out the Wilcox Pass or Parker Ridge Trails. Free shipping for many products! Estimated delivery dates - opens in a new window or tab include . Photos (1,077) Directions. ). 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. The Icefield forms a high altitude ice-cap that lies on a plateau. If youre just interested in exploring the glass-bottomed walkway high above Jasper National Park,this tourgets you there! or visit eBay's page on international trade. Home Banff Columbia Icefield (Athabasca Glacier): 15 Tips for Visiting. Note: The Athabasca Glacier is located in Jasper National Park, meaning that a valid park pass is required. This is not only a geological wonder but a truly unique spot you wont find anywhere else in the country. LaidBackTrip 2018-2023. Rooms are adequate, however, this is one of the finest examples of paying extra for the location. Leaving Jasper, travel 108 km (67 miles) south on the Icefields Parkway Highway 93N to the Columbia Icefield. To reach the summit requires a long hike to a technical glacier crossing and then up an exposed face or col. Youll also have the option to upgrade your ticket to include a tour of the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield. 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. Athabasca Glacier happens to be the most accessible glacier in the Canadian Rockies and well worth a stop. Roughly you can plan on the center to open from early May to mid-October. It is a gorgeous area and the best time of the year to go is in the summer! Estimated between Mon, Mar 6 and Fri, Mar 10 to 23917. The peak is one of many in the Canadian Rockies famous for reaching an altitude of 11,000 feet. 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). Many visitors book their stay at least several months in advance, and bookings made even more than six months upfront are common. The Columbia Icefield is roughly 325 square kilometers and covers a large area of Alberta between Banff and Jasper National Parks. the best time to visit, and lots of photos of my experience. Thanks for the response. For car rentals, I use the website DiscoverCars.com. Because the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier are inside Jasper National Park, youll need a Canada Parks Pass. The glacier is in continual motion, and creeps . Banff Inn is a perfectly located hotel and a great place to stay both in the summer and winter. After traveling the world for six years, he settled down in the beautiful Bow Valley with Natasha. The highlight is a glass-floor platform where you can see directly down almost 1,000 feet below! 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. The Saskatchewan Glacier is located in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Related Read: Banff in winter is also super fun! 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! 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. When driving between Jasper and Banff youre pretty much left with the Icefields Discovery Center or the disappointing Saskatchewan River Crossing. Very informative and helpful. The road is usually closed from November to May because of snowy and icy conditions. 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. Demand is heaviest from June to September, and accommodation fills up quickly. If youre hiking the free trail, theres a small parking lot near the trailhead. So, your tickets to the Skywalk include roundtrip transport from the Discovery Centre as well as your admission to get on the Skywalk itself. Our tour guides were knowledgeable, experienced, and fun! 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. He has a passion for all things in the Canadian Rockies and loves to spend his time snowboarding, scrambling, camping, biking, and trail running. A giant one kilometre wide and six kilometre long tongue of the Athabasca Glacier hidden beyond the mountains. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 28 min to complete. Icefields Parkway is a major tourist attraction, and the Columbia Icefield is one of the biggest highlights on this road. Receive travel guides, stories, tips and photos to inspire your wanderlust and save money while on the road! Bear spray is a must whenever travelling in bear country, as well as learning how to use it. Athabasca is one of the most easily accessed glaciers in North America, just a few minutes from the parking area. Athabasca Glacier is about 3.7 mi (6 km ) in length with an area of 2.3 sq. As we still had plenty of time, we hiked to Wilcox Pass and tremendously enjoyed Parker Ridge Trail. There are also restaurants, washrooms, a gift shop, and interpretive displays inside. For a narrative audio tour around the Rockies, consider getting the Gypsy Guide. You may opt out of personalised ads at any time. This includes the most popular parks like Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier, Mount Revelstoke and so much more. Easy 4.5 (1071) Jasper National Park. You get to spend a long time thoroughly exploring many unique features of the glacier. Bring appropriate layers (remember youll warm up once you start hiking) and sun protection. As with most attractions in Banff and Jasper its best to arrive early in the morning or late afternoon to beat the crowds. km). In the photo above you can Mount Columbia, Snow Dome, Andromeda, and Alberta. Delivery time is estimated using our proprietary method which is . The landscape is stark and bare, covered in loose gray stones. The Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier are scenic spots you shouldnt miss stopping at if youre nearby. Although you can use public transport, on some occasions, it means your trip will not only require more time but more planning. You can even get lowered into a "well" in the glacier using their equipment. Instead, theres a short Athabasca Glacier hike that will give you some impressive views of the icefield for free. Mount Athabasca, Andromeda, and Snow Dome. that plans are made within the next couple of years to visit the Athabasca Glacier. . 3. There areso many epic things to do in Jasperwhen theres snow on the ground. There are quite a few campgrounds along the Icefields Parkway; however, don't get excited too soon. It also includes the Athabasca Glacier Tour, Skywalk, and a mountain picnic lunch at Bow Lake, one of the largest lakes in Banff National Park. The walk should only take 10-20 minutes and is easy enough for kids to tag along. With approximately 200,000 km2 of glacier coverage in the Arctic and the West . . Youll see the Crowfoot Glacier, Athabasca Falls, Bow Lake, the incredible glacier tour, and a visit to the Skywalk. or visit eBay's page on international trade . The Athabasca Glacier has been around for centuries. I love this area of the world, so make sure you stop in eitherJasper,Banff, orLake Louise. At its terminus, the glacier sits about 1500 meters from the famed Icefields Parkway and a convenient parking lot makes it an easy walk. Less than a minutes drive (super close!!) The Athabasca Glacier is located along Icefields Parkway, a scenic 143-mile (230-kilometer) highway connecting Jasper with Lake Louise. 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). Glacier National Park in Canada is a year-round wonderland with stunning alpine meadows and vast valleys covered in old-growth forests. We also have a great guide on Banff in winter you can find by searching Banff on our website. It's approximately 32 km southeast of the Jasper townsite. 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 can also stay at Glacier View Inn and take more time to explore the Glacier. 4.5Value. Leaving Banff, travel 55 km (34 miles) west on the Trans-Canada Highway #1 to Lake Louise. Travel Insurance: World Nomads Travel Insurance covers against risks of travel. 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! They offer travel medical insurance thats super affordable (only $42 USD per 4 weeks!) The Cycling House crew's home base is Big Sky Country, and guides know where to find the best off-the-beaten-path backroads. It is formed by the compaction and recrystallization of snow into ice crystals and commonly also contains air, water and rock debris. Its crazy how much the glacier has receded in just 100 years. 4.5Facilities. For campers, there are two nearby campgrounds. This article may contain affiliate links. 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. This gives you a chance to explore this area with a closer home base. The self-guided tour showcases how a glacier moves along with information on the local area. If youre looking for a tourist-free rugged wilderness experience, sorry but this is not it. The trail is well-marked, and it's almost impossible to get lost here. February 1, 2018. Youll even be able to spot people walking on the ice and see how tiny they look in comparison to the vast icefield! All backpackers and people traveling on a budget rejoice; the Athabasca Glacier hike is free (as all hikes in Jasper National Park). The price does vary though depending on the time of year and the type of car that you rent. Youll get excellent views of the Columbia Icefield, and in the summer, wildflowers are beautiful along this trail. Wilcox Pass is a moderately challenging 4 km (2.5 miles) hike that starts at the Wilcox Creek campground. There are plenty of places to stay if you want to spend more time in the area or not worry about a long drive back after your tour. Then travel 125 km (78 miles) north from Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway Highway 93N to the Columbia Icefield. How much will it cost to visit Glacier Skywalk? Put on crampons, and you will get a firsthand view of this massive moving force, while the skilled and experienced guides will make your trip unforgettable. 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. One of the best things about Icefields Parkway is that it is not lined with hotels and resorts. 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. Of course, if you are driving between Banff and Jasper, this isn . DISCLAIMER: All activities you find on this site are dangerous. 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. The Athabasca Glacier flows into the Athabasca Glacier, filling it with vibrant blue water. 5.0Atmosphere. Youll hike uphill before the trail evens out. Youll be rewarded with stunning views of the Saskatchewan Glacier along with multiple waterfalls. Board the Ice Explorer, a large six-wheeled all-terrain vehicle. Glacier Skywalk and Columbia Icefields (1 hour 15 minutes from Jasper) You will probably want to spend most of the time here. 4.8. Information is also available at 406-888-7800. During the winter months (November to May), the visitor center is closed, and there are no tours of the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield. You can explore on your own time and then return via any bus whenever youre ready to go. Even on a warm summer day, the weather around a glacier can be frigid as they create their own microclimates. The views are sublime in all directions - definitely a great trail in Jasper National Park. 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. Whether it be buying a coffee or (even better) purchasing a unique print for your home from The Banff Print Shop all purchases help with the upkeep of this site that is updated daily. From the center, you can book tickets on the Ice Explorer or Columbia Icefield Skywalk. Said that there is a campground very close to the Athabasca Glacier walk. For a longer adventure on the glacier, thisfull-day tourlets you spend 6 hours exploring the glacier with a guide. It was very similar to what we experienced, for example, on the West Coast in New Zealand or at Perito Moreno, Patagonia. However, you can still come in winter to hike theToe of the Athabasca Glacier TrailI previously mentioned. 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. Cold winds from the direction of the glacier make their appearance here. You can also stay at Glacier View Inn and take more time to explore the Glacier. Location: 130 km from Lake Louise & 103 km from Jasper. The rest is hidden beyond the mountains. . That being said its easy to walk on the glacier with a guide. . . . The glacier is about 13 kilometers (8.1 mi) long and covers around 30 sq km . Water from the Columbia Icefield and its glaciers makes up underground rivers and caves and flows to three different oceans. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Glacier Adventure on the Athabasca Glacier ONLY. While there are no coupons or direct discounts for the Icefield Discovery Center experiences you can buy combo tickets. The Athabasca Glacier is just one of many beautiful stops along the world-famous Icefields Parkway. Opal Hills We visited the Athabasca Glacier twice already, and both times, it was super windy and chilly even at the foot of the glacier. Because youre not driving, youll be able to enjoy the scenic views! There are some interpretative storytelling boards about the history on the walkway that will take you to the lookout.