Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, Highway 93 Icefields Pkwy, Improvement District No. 12, Jasper National Park, Alberta T1L 1J3 Canada
No trip to Jasper is complete without a visit to the famed Columbia Icefield, the largest ice field in the Canadian Rockies. Jaw-dropping views of towering mountains, rocks, ice and pure white snow as far as the eye can see. From the Discovery Centre, you will board a specialized Ice Explorer that will take you down a frozen roadway to the Athabasca Glacier. Along the way, your driver will provide commentary about glaciers, their impact upon the local ecosystem, and the environmental changes rapidly transforming these massive scenic wonders. Once you reach the Athabasca Glacier, you will have the opportunity to hop out, walk along the glacier and even fill up your water bottle with pure, pristine snowmelt.
Once the tour is complete, you will head over to the Glacier Skywalk, where you will walk along the glass bottom walkway out over the cliff's edge. After stopping to appreciate the incredible view and capture a few photographs, it's back to the Discovery Center.
Duration: 3 hours
See Availability.
93 Icefields Pkwy, Jasper, AB T0E 1E0, Canada
3 hours(approx.)
Returns to original departure point
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Infants must sit on laps
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
Infant Tickets are free but are required for Attraction
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Posted By : paulines303
Such fun - climbing into the huge ice explorer was a great start to this trip. Everything was prebooked so we didn't have to wait long and the slow trip over was fun. It was saddening to see how the glacier has shrunk and to hear that it will be gone all too soon but more saddening to overhear a guide (not Brewsters) telling people that global warming was all a load of nonsense. We did get locked in to the vehicle when we returned so the engineers had to 'take the door off' but at least we were back at base rather than on the glacier!
The Skywalk is amazing. I am worried by heights so was very nervous but it was worth the angst. There are no words to describe the thrill of looking down through glass at a really deep valley with water rushing through it. Just be prepared for a wait for the bus back!
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-03-12
Posted By : Marcwez
I only booked this tour 24 hours before we arrived as it was exactly halfway along our drive from Jasper to Lake Louise, and as the weather had been unkind to us over the last few days I didn't want to be out on a glacier in pouring rain! Luckily, the weather was perfect!!
We paid $105.00pp. The whole adventure including the Skywalk took around 2.5-3 hours (I couldn't find this information on the website)
There was a lot of info on how they are trying to be more environmentally friendly with the coaches and the Ice Explorer Bus. I was very surprised that they had so many vehicles going round in circles, and none of them were electric or battery-powered!
We went at what was the end of the season, and it was still busy, there was still a lot of people on the ice. Trying to find some peace and quiet to really take in the beauty of the surroundings was very difficult!
But it is well worth the time and money to do this unique experience.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-01-04
Posted By : Angelica_V
Amazing experience! To those planning on this adventure, make sure to wear appropriate footwear. The glacier is very slick and slippery!
Australian driver is funny and is a sight for sore eyes.
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-10-10
Posted By : michaelfV5152MK
The Columbia icefields is a spectacular site that are a must-see! We were staying in Banff so we drove up the Iceway Parkway (Hiway 93) to see the icefields. (I remembered it called the Jasper Highway at one point). It takes about 2 hours to get there by car from Banff and less if you are coming off Hiway 1.
Be careful with your GPS because there are several versions of "Columbia icefields) that come up. One of them says you need to go 30 miles farther north than you do. However, the signs are very clear when you reach the area. Set aside time to stop at the super-blue mirror lakes and the turnouts at some of the vistas.
You pay a fee at the entrance to Hiway 93 because it is all a national park. Also, there is also one place to stop for gas and food about half way to the icefields (and only one!) so gas up for the round trip. The food was cafeteria style and actually pretty good.
We purchased our tickets on TripAdvisor and it was a good thing we did. The tickets are for a certain time but they said that they are good for 2-3 days on and after the date. However, we found out that our visit was on a Canadian national holiday and the entire day was sold out! The last tour starts at 4pm.
You arrive at the site and pull into a large parking lot. If you are going north, don't take the first entrance. It is for buses and employees. Take the second entrance and you'll see the parking lot. You walk up a large flight of stairs and you are in the building where the ticketing is. If you bought your tickets on TripAdvisor, you have to get in the ticket line and exchange the ticket printout for real tickets.
We waited in line for the bus and boarded a typical tour bus that took us up to a transfer station. It only took 5-10 minutes. We then transferred to one of the big buses with the fat tires. It took us on a slow but fun ride up and down some steep rocky roads to the icefield. We didn't feel in danger at all on the ride.
We were let out to walk on the ice field for about 30 minutes. The water is supposed to be pure so everyone brought an empty water bottle to fill up. The ice was very slippery so wear shoes with treads. The smart people brought small crapons to attach to their shoes. There were enough slushy areas with traction to get around but one slush pile was a little high so my socks got wet.
The ice field is fascinating! You are limited to a good sized area but you can see rivers of water, crevasses, and lots of moraines. The picture opportunities were endless and it was hard to fit everything into a picture. Lots of selfies were taken.
We then loaded onto the big bus for another ride to the transfer station where we boarded the tour bus. It took us to the skyway that was about 10 minutes away. The bus drops you off at the skyway and you just pick up the next bus available after you are done viewing the gorgeous views from a very high place.
I'm so glad that we say it and experienced it!
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-10-10
Posted By : Romeo A
Abby, our tour guide/ice explorer driver was great and funny! The area of the actual “ice walk” is small but enough to take great pictures and enjoy the expirience of being on a glacier. I recommend to wear crampons as you will be walking on ice.
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-10-10
Posted By : NATALIE_L
The glacial fields are a natural wonder. How marvelous to be able to see and learn about our world first hand. The impact of global warming is undeniable. Come and see! Tex was an amazing host!
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-10-09
Posted By : mf4271
Tex was great!
Set your expectations and you'll have a good time. You will only go as far as a spot you can see from the discovery center (albeit from far, of course) and be limited to a cordoned off area. Pretty much anyone can do this tour. The stairs and bumpy/steep ride are the only real challenge some people might have here, but I understand there's also a wheelchair option. If you want to do more than be in that cordoned off area, book one of the 3 or 6 hour hikes.
If you plan to also do other "Pursuit" activities, look at their combo passes to save some money. The sulphur mountain gondola and this one can be expensive but the combo pass was slightly more palatable.
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-10-09
Posted By : cathyhO7751RR
Host Josh and driver Bob provided plenty of facts and narration to enhance the incredible views and experience of actually standing on a glacier and seeing compressed ice color, chasms, and flowing glacial streams.
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-10-09
Posted By : Jocelyn_D
Awesome I Really enjoy this experience
The filling inside the explorer is great and walking on the icefield it’s indescriptible
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-10-08
Posted By : Mangzz
Tex was our guide, he was very friendly, funny & informative! I read mixed reviews on this, yes it is a touristy thing to do, but we were tourists! It was cold & fun, interesting & a unique experience! The skywalk was included & they took us there & we caught the bus back, easy. It was a little scary for me being afraid of heights, but was very pretty views! I would recommend this for anyone!
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-10-08
