Its full of viewpoints to admire the scenery, stunning waterfalls, and good hikes all along this scenic drive. Columbia Icefield feeds 8 glaciers including Athabasca Glacier. About 1 million people come to the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier every year. Unlike the above hiking tour, this hike is a little more difficult and is best suited to those with a moderate level of fitness. Bad weather or fog can totally obscure the view. 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. Although many high passes remain blocked until the summer, this month marks the beginning of the transition to peak season. The Columbia Icefield formed around 240,000 years ago. You can stay right at the hotel that is part of the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, but it is the priciest option. Youll be given headphones to enjoy a self-guided audio tour on this walk. Tours from $214 . The driving distance to the Icefields Discovery Center is 195 km and takes just under three hours from Downtown Banff. Near the top. FROM $99 Guided Glacier Hike on The Athabasca with IceWalks. When you see this behemoth slowly driving across the receding glacier, you might start questioning yourself if this is what this unique environment really needs. However, the Ice Walk tours across the Athabasca Glacier require advanced booking with the local tour company. The trailhead is two hours from Banff, or just over an hour from Jasper. Then travel 125 km (78 miles) north from Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway Highway 93N to the Columbia Icefield. If youre just interested in exploring the glass-bottomed walkway high above Jasper National Park,this tourgets you there! Highly recommend to anyone who wants to have a real glacier experience 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! 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. This article may contain affiliate links. To help you make the most of your visit to this incredible place, Ive put together this complete guide to help. Youll find Rockies camp mugs, totes, phone cases and more! The Athabasca Glacier is the most-visited glacier in all of North America. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 28 min to complete. Youll see the Crowfoot Glacier, Athabasca Falls, Bow Lake, the incredible glacier tour, and a visit to the Skywalk. Board the Ice Explorer, a large six-wheeled all-terrain vehicle. Hiking poles may be helpful but are not required. It was very similar to what we experienced, for example, on the West Coast in New Zealand or at Perito Moreno, Patagonia. Youll get excellent views of the Columbia Icefield, and in the summer, wildflowers are beautiful along this trail. . To stretch your legs, take a stroll through the gift shop or the Parks Canada Glacier Gallery. 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. Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday. or visit eBay's page on international trade . 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. It will be quieter here in the winter, so you wont be dealing with a crowd. (Jeff . If youre just looking for a coffee, theres also a Starbucks inside! If you are in this area during the colder time of year, I absolutely LOVE Jasper National Park in winter. We now know what to avoid. 13.4 km. 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. Admission Prices. How we rank things to do. From Lake Louise the center is 130 km and takes around two hours to reach. 12 , Alberta. With a million people coming every year between May to October, you wont be alone in wanting to stop here. This blog may contain affiliate links. 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! Feel free to leave any questions in the comment section below. The Skywalk is a short (5-minute) free shuttle ride away from the Discovery Center. So, your tickets to the Skywalk include roundtrip transport from the Discovery Centre as well as your admission to get on the Skywalk itself. Car rental in Canada isnt super cheap, but it isnt overly expensive either, especially if you get a budget car. If the budget is not a concern, you can join a guided tour that will safely introduce you to this natural sight. Before you get started on your trip to the Toe of the Athabasca Glacier, here's our travel guide, including some helpful information and advice on what to expect, trail description, and tips on things to do. The landscape is stark and bare, covered in loose gray stones. Technically, you have to pay for the Day Pass or Canada Parks Discovery Pass in order to enter the national park and get to Athabasca Glacier. 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. Yes! Conservation is a deep fundamental in his life, and he aims to inspire others to care about our natural world. One thing that isnt at the visitor center is a gas station. Most people will bring snowshoes to do this trail in the winter as it isnt cleared, and the road leading to the parking lot is closed from November until May. You will notice several warning signs along the trail, and we highly recommend you to read the interpretative boards that explain more. 17. So, yes, there are people everywhere, though it wasn't that bad as we expected or experienced in some other top locations, for example, in the Yellowstone National Park. Our recommendation would be to shoot for an early morning and witness sunrise on the Icefields Parkway. Visiting Athabasca Glacier is a great way to get out of the car and see something amazing . The Icefield feeds six glaciers of which three can be seen from the parkway: Athabasca, Stutfield, and Dome. Pyramid Lake is one of the most photographed and picturesque lakes in Jasper National Park and the best time to visit is at . Athabasca is one of the most easily accessed glaciers in North America, just a few minutes from the parking area. 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? 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. Theres a reason so many people make this drive from Jasper to Banff or Banff to Jasper and stop along the way. Columbia Icefield Discovery Center is technically a regular visitor center with restrooms and a large gift shop, and a restaurant on the second floor that is located on the opposite side of the Athabasca Glacier parking lot. Cold winds from the direction of the glacier make their appearance here. 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. Glacier National Park in Canada is a year-round wonderland with stunning alpine meadows and vast valleys covered in old-growth forests. Located in: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada . This means you can easily get to the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield and back to wherever you are staying without the need to have your own car or a rental. Because youre not driving, youll be able to enjoy the scenic views! They offer travel medical insurance thats super affordable (only $42 USD per 4 weeks!) 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. I hope this guide has given you all the information you need for your own visit to the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier. During the winter months (November to May), the visitor center is closed, and there are no tours of the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield. For food, if you brought your own or just want to enjoy the view while waiting for your tour, there are some nice picnic tables and benches as well as an outdoor patio for the two restaurants. The relatively high altitude grants low temperatures even in the summer. You cannot attempt this on your own without mountaineering experience, it is a serious mountain. Print/PDF map. 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 short walk up to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier is located in the Columbia Icefield, the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains. Columbia Icefield, Athabasca Glacier, Toe of the Athabasca Glacier. Lake Louise to Jasper Thisone-way tour from Lake Louiseincludes transportation to Jasper and some incredible stops along the way. The park's manager says the glacier could disappear within one generation. The Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier is a natural wonder that is incredible to see in person. Jasper is the closest at 105 km and 1.5 hours driving. To avoid the crowds, visit outside of the peak summer months of July and August. 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. That road will take you right to the small parking lot. February 1, 2018. IE 11 is not supported. If youre planning to stay longer or visit more than one national park in a year, theDiscovery Passis a great option. The tour company that operates the all-terrain bus said the vehicle was on its way to Athabasca Glacier, in the Columbia Icefield. Thank you. To start the 1.4 km (.8 mile)Athabasca Glacier Trail, start at the far end of the parking lot. A longer six-hour trek costs $175 CAD plus tax. 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. Bear bells are proven to be an ineffective bear deterrent, and are actively discouraged by Parks Canada. Saskatchewan Glacier is the largest outflow glacier out of the Columbia Icefield. Athabasca Falls. Rockaboo Mountain Adventures is one of Jasper's longtime guiding heavyweights, and their new Athabasca Glacier Tour is the latest addition to their daily programs (which includes ice climbing in winter and rock climbing in summer). Glscier-fed Sunwapta Lake to the rear looking somewhat gloomy. . 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. Booking in advance is also strongly recommended since these experiences do have limited numbers and are very popular! Columbia Icefield Campground has 33 tent-only sites that are first-come, first-served. 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. Make sure youve fueled up in Jasper, Lake Louise, or at Saskatchewan River Crossing before you get here. 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. A Columbia Icefield Tour of the glacier in a snowcoach starts at $99 CAD (as of 2018) plus tax. 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 Skywalk is a glass-bottomed bridge thats just north of the Athabasca Icefield a popular stop on the Icefield Parkway. We are Dan and Bailey, just your typical thrill-seeking travelers! Once you arrive at the Skywalk, youll get to see a variety of interpretive displays about the history of this glacier region before venturing out onto the glass-bottomed walkway for breathtaking views. You can book online tickets for a specific date and time, but we don't recommend committing yourself ahead of time. 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. Picture this ice as far as you can see and the chance to walk on an ancient glacier surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. Athabasca Glacier. Although you can use public transport, on some occasions, it means your trip will not only require more time but more planning. We're a family who hike quite a bit - and so - are interested in. This is one of North America's most visited glaciers. Nevertheless, the hike itself is free. For a discount, book the Ice Explorer Tour and Skywalk Tour together in advance online. . Departs on Australia on 4 September 2023 & 20 May 2024. The daily rate for these passes is $10.50 CAD per adult, $21 CAD per family, and free for all kids 17 and under. Another option is to stay somewhere along the Icefields Parkway. Our content may not be reproduced without our written permission. Glacier Skywalk and Columbia Icefields (1 hour 15 minutes from Jasper) You will probably want to spend most of the time here. This type of pass is valid for one person for one day. If gravel biking is your other favorite sport, this Montana dirt-focused camp is for you. The best time for enjoying Athabasca Glacier is between June and September, when temperatures are higher, and your chances for the visit are the best. The Icefields Parkway is widely considered as one of the best scenic drives in the world. Athabasca Glacier Icewalks is a more intimate way to explore this massive glacier. Still, before you start planning your trip, it is good to know that the side road that leads from Icefields Parkway to the Athabasca Glacier parking lot is often closed from November to May, depending on the weather conditions. Jasper National Park is just filled with fun things to do and see! 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. 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 hike starts from a gravel Athabasca Glacier parking lot. 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. Receive travel guides, stories, tips and photos to inspire your wanderlust and save money while on the road! km). 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. The Toe of the Glacier hike is the only way to visit Athabasca Glacier for free. The trail is well-marked, and it's almost impossible to get lost here. I am not responsible for anything you do in the outdoors. Both are overpriced. Parks Canada Passes can be bought online here or at one of the Visitor Centers of booths at the entrance to many national parks. The operating season is mid-April to mid-October. If youre traveling during these uncertain times, be sure that you have travel insurance! Near park entrances visitors can take advantage of updated information on the Travelers' Information Station at 1610 AM. The glacier is losing depth at a rate of 16 feet per year (5 meters), and has receded over 1.5km, and has lost half of its volume, in the past 125 years. There are a number of facilities at the Discovery Center. Extra $550 per person from Perth. Less than a minutes drive (super close!!) More information on staying safe in the outdoors. We never leave our home without travel insurance which is designed to help cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip. You can go to either the Columbia Icefield Campground or the Wilcox Creek Campground. 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! The hotel offers an excellent location, basic rooms, and facilities. The Icefields Parkway, where the icefield and glacier are located, is maintained by Parks Canada, and youll need a Parks Canada Pass to drive along it, even if you dont plan on stopping anywhere. This is also a great opportunity to take in fantastic views from the Glacier Skywalk. Tips For Seeing the Athabasca Glacier And Columbia Icefields. However, you need to (obviously) pay for the tours. For an optimal experience visit our site . 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. Athabasca Glacier sits at the base of several notable peaks such as Mount Athabasca, Andromeda, and Snow Dome. Think of it as what you would expect the icy surfaces of Greenland or Antarctica to look like, with ice that . 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 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. To get a better view from the lookout, bring binoculars or a mirrorless camera with a telephoto lens. You will likely find us hiking, scuba diving, eating as much food as we possibly can, or just drinking beer at a hostel. Cameron is a resident of Canmore, Alberta. Leaving Banff, travel 55 km (34 miles) west on the Trans-Canada Highway #1 to Lake Louise. Best glacier tour on Athabasca!! Honestly, the views from the cafeteria and restaurant of the Discovery Center are fantastic for free. You can walk up to the falls and climb up a bit to get a great photo. 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. Inspire your wanderlust and save money while on the Athabasca Glacier is the most-visited Glacier in all North! Wonderland with stunning alpine meadows and vast valleys covered in old-growth forests Stutfield, a... And which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday one generation gray.! 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