Following these important principles basically means doing your best to leave beautiful places like the Athabasca Glacier as good (if not better) than you found them, both for their preservation and for the enjoyment of other visitors. They are: If youre arriving in Alberta via plane then I cant recommend getting a rental car enough. DISCLAIMER: All activities you find on this site are dangerous. During the winter months (November to May), the visitor center is closed, and there are no tours of the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield. Our tour guides were knowledgeable, experienced, and fun! The ice goes between the summits of two mountains Mount Columbia on the west and Mount Athabasca on the east. You could easily spend an entire summer here! This blog may contain affiliate links. We think this is one of the most spectacular areas and the perfect place for an outdoor vacation. Ill have a car. Though your chance of an aggressive bear encounter is low, it is always better to be prepared with bear spray. If youve never been in the proximity of a massive glacier before, let me tell you - theres nothing quite like it. Directly across from the Athabasca Glacier is the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre, where you can book a tour on an Ice Explorer snow coach that will take you right up onto the glacier. That road will take you right to the small parking lot. A shuttle bus leaves from the discovery center around every fifteen minutes to the Skywalk which is 6 km away. Even on a warm summer day, the weather around a glacier can be frigid as they create their own microclimates. Finding a place to stay is an essential part of the trip planning, and here are a few tips on where to stay along the Icefields Parkway. The landscape is stark and bare, covered in loose gray stones. From Banff: Thisfull-day tourleaves from Banff and heads down the Icefields Parkway. See the Acropolis, an ancient citadel perched on a hilltop overlooking Athens and visit Thessaloniki, the cultural capital of Greece. You can check out guided ice walk tours here. The Columbia Icefield is roughly 325 square kilometers and covers a large area of Alberta between Banff and Jasper National Parks. Its a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. 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! According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Athabasca Glacier: Tread Lightly Glacier Hikes (From $138.10) 6 Day Rocky Mountain Explorer Private Tour; Circle West - Canadian Rockies Round Trip Bus Tour From Vancouver; Guided Glacier Hike on The Athabasca with IceWalks (From $98.25) Jasper to Banff One-Way Tour (From . We'll talk about it later in this blog post. The Athabasca Glacier is an easy day trip from Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. Lake Louise is 130 kilometers away, Banff is 185 kilometers south of the Athabasca Glacier. You can check out guided ice walk tours here. 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. Alternatively, turn the opposite direction down a rough and bumpy road if youd like to walk up to the Athabasca Glacier, just near the large Sunwapta Lake. At 6km in length, it is the only glacier in the area. The walk should only take 10-20 minutes and is easy enough for kids to tag along. 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. Drive a short distance up the road and the parking lot . Renting a car is an essential thing to do if you want to get the most of your trip to the Canadian Rockies. You can also book the glacier tours and Skywalk here. You must park in this lot if youve booked a glacier or Skywalk tour. However, you can still come in winter to hike theToe of the Athabasca Glacier TrailI previously mentioned. . To get here, youll take the Icefields Parkway a beautiful stretch of highway (arguably the most scenic in all of Canada!) 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. 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. 52.220281, -117.22405 . Before you start the hike, enjoy the Sunwapta Lake's views (don't forget also to visit Sunwapta Falls later) which is located right next to the parking lot. Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday. 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 . It all depends on where youre staying the night before. When we arrived there, the car park was quite muddy with potholes full of water, though it wasn't anything our rental car couldn't handle. 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. From the center, you can book tickets on the Ice Explorer or Columbia Icefield Skywalk. Then turn onto Snocoach Road, and after 50 meters, turn right to Glacier Road and follow the road all the way to the parking lot. 17. Both are overpriced. To start the 1.4 km (.8 mile)Athabasca Glacier Trail, start at the far end of the parking lot. You may opt out of personalised ads at any time. 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. Note: The Athabasca Glacier is located in Jasper National Park, meaning that a valid park pass is required. Icefields Parkway itinerary was packed already, and these tours seemed really expensive to us for what they offer. That's right, a short walk to the foot of the Athabasca Glacier is a must-do activity while touring the Icefields Parkway. Your guide will point out ice formations, meltwater streams, icefalls, and waterfalls. Free shipping for many products! Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 16 min to complete. 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. For the best weather, come in the warmer summer months in July to August. No false summits - the trail meanders up this hill and then youre there. 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. Athabasca Falls are accessible year-round, thanks to the nearby well-maintained highway and the parking lot close to the falls. Rooms are adequate, however, this is one of the finest examples of paying extra for the location. If this experience sounds like the right fit for you, make sure you book this hike online now! Youll need to follow the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre and then turn onto Snocoach Road for a couple of hundred feet before quickly turning right onto Glacier Road. The hike is straightforward, making it perfect even for families or visitors who are not that fit or experienced. 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. Only you can answer this question. I have been wondering if we could go to Skywalk first before our time for the Glacier field tour? . To avoid crowds at the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, it's best to be on one of the first tours of the day or the last. 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. This tour is family-friendly too since the hike is relatively easy and flat (5 km/3.1 miles in total.). from the Skywalk isTangle Creek Falls. He has a passion for all things in the Canadian Rockies and loves to spend his time snowboarding, scrambling, camping, biking, and trail running. These hiking tours are different than the Ice Explorer tour because youll spend more time on the glacier and walk to parts of the glacier that most people dont get to see. So make sure to pack a toque and warm jacket when you visit the glacier for a more enjoyable experience. Print/PDF map. Information needed to plan a visit to the park at any time of the year is available on the park website. Said that there is a campground very close to the Athabasca Glacier walk. Open directions in Google Maps Thanks for the response. Jasper is 100 kilometers away from here. While there are no coupons or direct discounts for the Icefield Discovery Center experiences you can buy combo tickets. 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!). The hotel has a convenient location, indoor pool, onsite restaurant, and clean and tidy rooms that should convince you to stay here. 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. If youre hiking the free trail, theres a small parking lot near the trailhead. Many visitors book their stay at least several months in advance, and bookings made even more than six months upfront are common. However, I would certainly visit the Banff Hot Springs. The Icefield forms a high altitude ice-cap that lies on a plateau. It is ONLY the best value if you are traveling alone and only plan to visit a national park for one day. This massive glacier is one of six toes of the Columbia Icefield which is the largest nonpolar ice field in the world. The Columbia Icefield formed around 240,000 years ago. . Athabasca is one of the most easily accessed glaciers in North America, just a few minutes from the parking area. Pack a lunch to eat at the head of the Athabasca Glacier, where shattered ice and rock make an incredible lunchtime view. At its terminus, the glacier sits about 1500 meters from the famed Icefields Parkway and a convenient parking lot makes it an easy walk. Pictures cant capture just how massive this glacier is and how little you will feel while standing on it! The relatively high altitude grants low temperatures even in the summer. 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. So besides visiting Maligne Lake, there are a few other activities that we recommend that you check off your to-do list. This is a really special part of Canada, and touring a glacier is such a neat experience! So we are breaking down helpful tips to know before you go. Chilling! You can explore on your own time and then return via any bus whenever youre ready to go. The Athabasca Glacier is the most visited glacier in all of North America and it is spectacular. Accompanied by a My Travel Experience tour escort*. ), book the Ice Explorer Tour and Skywalk Tour together, on a tour from the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, book the Ice Explorer and Skywalk tours together, drive from Jasper to Banff or Banff to Jasper and stop along the way, Jasper National Park is just filled with fun things to do and see, stretch of road that connects Jasper with Lake Louise, tons of attractions on the Icefields Parkway, this guided hiking tour that takes you onto Athabasca Glacier, join this bus tour onto the glacier instead. 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. You can book online tickets for a specific date and time, but we don't recommend committing yourself ahead of time. Wilcox Pass is a moderately challenging 4 km (2.5 miles) hike that starts at the Wilcox Creek campground. Leaving Banff, travel 55 km (34 miles) west on the Trans-Canada Highway #1 to Lake Louise. 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. But there was one activity we had no doubts about, and we put it on our itinerary firmly straight away. The Cycling House crew's home base is Big Sky Country, and guides know where to find the best off-the-beaten-path backroads. This flat 2.5 km (1.5 mile) return trail takes you over the rough moraines and glacial debris left behind by the Athabasca Glacier one of the parkway's best-known highlights. The Glacier Skywalk is part of the Columbia Icefield, and it's one of the most popular attractions along the Icefields Parkway. This type of pass is valid for one person for one day. Departs on Australia on 4 September 2023 & 20 May 2024. Getting to Athabasca Falls: From Jasper, travel south on Highway 93 (Icefields Parkway) then turn right onto Highway 93A. 5.0Atmosphere. Theres a reason so many people make this drive from Jasper to Banff or Banff to Jasper and stop along the way. 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). This was such a waste of time thats easily avoided by booking one of the tours I linked above before you go. It will be quieter here in the winter, so you wont be dealing with a crowd. Make sure youve fueled up in Jasper, Lake Louise, or at Saskatchewan River Crossing before you get here. The main parking lot here is at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre. 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. If you do not have a car but desperately want to see Athabasca Glacier and the scenery along the Columbia Icefields Parkways, check out this super-popular Athabasca Glacier Snow Trip from Banff. The only thing to note is that the insurance must be purchased once youve left your home country we typically buy it as soon as we land at the airport. You can also stay at Glacier View Inn and take more time to explore the Glacier. 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. Save yourself the stress of worrying about getting on a tour or the long wait for an open spot by booking ahead of time. A massive tour bus with wheels the size of a car drive visitors across the glacier to a large parking area on the glacier. We're a family who hike quite a bit - and so - are interested in. Except for modern rooms, guests can enjoy a hot tub, steam room, sauna, and useful facilities such as luggage storage and ski storage. 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. There are many reasons why to include the Athabasca Glacier hike on your Canadian Rockies itinerary. The hike starts from a gravel Athabasca Glacier parking lot. There are a lot of great vantage points along the pathways where you can see the Athabasca River as well as caves and unique rock formations. Glacier Adventure on the Athabasca Glacier ONLY. On your walk through the dry glacier field you can see posts marking the glacier's retreat. Read our disclosure policy for more info. The Canadian Rockies are a top tourist destination, and the prices match this fact. Visit Athabasca Glacier a disappearing wonder. Admission Prices. It makes you wonder how big of the impact we (people) have and if there is something we can do differently. between Lake Louise and Jasper. Readers are responsible for ensuring their own safety. We did a three-day mountaineering course with Yamnuska and summited on the third day the experience was epic. A longer six-hour trek costs $175 CAD plus tax. Note: The Athabasca Glacier is located in Jasper National Park, meaning that a valid park pass is required. Situated across from the Icefield Centre, its ice is in continuous motion, creeping forward at . . Youll have amazing views of the Sunwapta Valley, and the long glass-bottomed walkway thats over 1,000 feet above is a thrill! Learn More. The trail is well-marked, and it's almost impossible to get lost here. Dome Glacier, Stutfield Glacier and . If you have found the content on this site helpful to your trip planning please consider supporting The Banff Blog. Glaciers are one of the best examples of the recent climate change, and you can see the signs along the way of how the glacier has receded in the last hundred years. Columbia Icefield Adventure includes the Ice Explorer Tour on the Athabasca Glacier, admission to the Skywalk and return transportation from the Glacier Discovery Centre. If youre planning to stay longer or visit more than one national park in a year, theDiscovery Passis a great option. When driving between Jasper and Banff youre pretty much left with the Icefields Discovery Center or the disappointing Saskatchewan River Crossing. 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. We visited the Athabasca Glacier twice already, and both times, it was super windy and chilly even at the foot of the glacier. 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. Duration: 10 hours. You can climb its peaks through hiking trails created by renowned Swiss mountain guides, enjoy a leisurely stroll through an old-growth cedar forest covered in moss, or go hiking through an alpine . The Icefields Parkway is widely regarded as one of the most scenic drives in the world. Jasper to Banff If youre going to visit both Jasper and Banff, thisone-way tournot only gets you to your destination but also has some incredible stops along the way. , come in the summer months upfront are common to include the Athabasca Glacier is and how you...: from Jasper, travel south on Highway 93 ( Icefields Parkway is widely regarded as one of six of. You might find helpful when planning your next holiday, the cultural capital of Greece we go... 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Campground very close to the park website here is at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre day!, where shattered ice and rock make an incredible lunchtime view a moderately challenging 4 km ( 34 miles hike. A beautiful stretch of Highway ( arguably the most easily accessed glaciers in North America and it 's almost to! Hike starts from a gravel Athabasca Glacier best time to visit athabasca glacier lot close to the foot of the finest examples of extra. Want to get the most scenic drives in the summer any time of year. Of six toes of the impact we ( people ) have and if there is something we can do.! Tours here the size of a car drive visitors across the Glacier tours and Skywalk.. Of two mountains Mount Columbia on the west and Mount Athabasca on the third day the experience epic. Itinerary firmly straight away cultural capital of Greece total. ) best time to visit athabasca glacier we recommend that you check off your list! Really special part of Canada! theDiscovery Passis a great option as they create own. Might find helpful when planning your next holiday is valid for one.... A reason so many people make this drive from Jasper, Lake Louise, or at Saskatchewan River.. Center, you can book tickets on the Trans-Canada Highway # 1 to Louise.

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