Less than a minutes drive (super close!!) The self-guided tour showcases how a glacier moves along with information on the local area. The Athabasca Glacier is located along Icefields Parkway, a scenic 143-mile (230-kilometer) highway connecting Jasper with Lake Louise. 7. The daily rate for these passes is $10.50 CAD per adult, $21 CAD per family, and free for all kids 17 and under. The Discovery Pass is what Parks Canada calls their year-long (365 days from the purchase date), multi-park entry pass. The shorter tour runs three hours and children must be at least 7 years old to participate. Day 1 - London and Vancouver. 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 Athabasca Glacier is one of the most accessible "fingers" coming down from the giant Columbia Icefield, the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains. An icefield is quite literally what the name implies, a large field of ice built up over the millennia. Location: 130 km from Lake Louise & 103 km from Jasper. You can't actually get very close to the glacier. Bring appropriate layers (remember youll warm up once you start hiking) and sun protection. Athabasca Glacier and the Columbia Icefields (Located 185km from Banff or 103km from . Situated across from the Icefield Centre, its ice is in continuous motion, creeping forward at . You can park by the Glacier Discovery Centre, located across the parkway close to the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier, where you can also browse through shops and visit two restaurants. TheBanff Blog Facebook Groupis your headquarters for the Canadian Rockies travel advice and information. Because it was in an isolated area, it wasnt found until the late 1800s, making it one of the last major geological areas discovered by humans. 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. Then travel 125 km (78 miles) north from Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway Highway 93N to the Columbia Icefield. Even if you dont have plans for one of the tours its worth stopping for a refreshment, to stretch the legs, or use the washroom. 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. Lake Louise to Jasper Thisone-way tour from Lake Louiseincludes transportation to Jasper and some incredible stops along the way. Youll spend an entire day sightseeing, including an Athabasca Glacier tour, Skywalk adventure, a visit to the Weeping Wall, and Athabasca Falls. Informative panels describe the slow retreat of the glacier. Pack everything you need for a successful hike, including enough water and energy-rich snacks. That said, if youve never been up near a glacier before is this an experience worth having? The Skywalk is a short (5-minute) free shuttle ride away from the Discovery Center. Our budget was also quite limited, and we saved the money for the Mount Assiniboine Trek, which we did a few days later. Delivery time is estimated using our proprietary method which is . 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. If you want to walk on the glacier, the Athabasca Glacier tours only operate from May until October. Is it worth it? A giant one kilometre wide and six kilometre long tongue of the Athabasca Glacier hidden beyond the mountains. Because the Canadian Rockies is a destination where the winter can be really rough, it is always essential to plan your trip carefully and have a backup plan, especially if you plan on traveling outside the summer season. Board the Ice Explorer, a large six-wheeled all-terrain vehicle. The Canadian Rockies are a top tourist destination, and the prices match this fact. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Postcard Athabasca Glacier Columbia Icefields Jasper National Park Alberta at the best online prices at eBay! This is not only a geological wonder but a truly unique spot you wont find anywhere else in the country. 17 Mar and Thu, 23 Mar to 98837. Icefields Parkway is a major tourist attraction, and the Columbia Icefield is one of the biggest highlights on this road. Length 0.9 miElevation gain 200 ftRoute type Out & back. The Athabasca Glacier is the most-visited glacier in all of North America. that plans are made within the next couple of years to visit the Athabasca Glacier. Our tour guides were knowledgeable, experienced, and fun! . The Ice Explorer Vehicles leave every 15 to 30 minutes in the summer and can cycle through a large number of visitors. Banff | Banff Inn - Banff is a little bit further from Icefields Parkway. Very informative and helpful. Youre in for a treat! 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! Jasper | Jasper Inn and Suites - When traveling north, Jasper is the best place to end your Icefields Parkway road trip. The driving distance to the Icefields Discovery Center is 195 km and takes just under three hours from Downtown Banff. 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. Athabasca Glacier lies on the Columbia Icefields Parkway midway between the Jasper National Park and Banff National Park. When it comes to the Skywalk the views and the novelty of a glass bottom are a bit of a letdown. Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance. Athabasca Falls. If youre driving with an RV, there is overnight parking available in a large asphalt lot on the west side of the Discovery Centre. 13 Mar and Fri, 17 Mar to 23917. Accompanied by a My Travel Experience tour escort*. The proximity and the nearby Columbia Icefield Discovery Center make it possibly the most easily accessible glacier in the world. I love this area of the world, so make sure you stop in eitherJasper,Banff, orLake Louise. You have a better chance of spotting wildlife like mountain goats and bighorn sheep and will avoid the peak crowds. 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. Finally, the crowds. PLEASE do not walk on Athabasca Glacier unassisted without mountaineering experience and equipment. This was such a waste of time thats easily avoided by booking one of the tours I linked above before you go. Its quite large, and you should be able to find a spot here. Athabasca Falls are accessible year-round, thanks to the nearby well-maintained highway and the parking lot close to the falls. It is shocking to see how much it has retreated . Jasper Inn & Suites offers good value for money. It will take you onto the Athabasca Glacier for a 90-minute adventure. 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. Another popular option is to rent a campervan or motorhome (only for the brave in winter.) We'll talk about it later in this blog post. Athabasca Glacier. One of the many highlights of our Western Canada & the Rockies tour is to take a snow coach ride on a real-life glacier! 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. 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. 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. To avoid the crowds, visit outside of the peak summer months of July and August. Columbia Icefield, Athabasca Glacier, Toe of the Athabasca Glacier. If youre traveling during these uncertain times, be sure that you have travel insurance! You could easily spend an entire summer here! The road is usually closed from November to May because of snowy and icy conditions. Youll even be able to spot people walking on the ice and see how tiny they look in comparison to the vast icefield! Said that this tour is trendy from what we saw, and the bus shuttles were leaving the car park frequently. Home Banff Columbia Icefield (Athabasca Glacier): 15 Tips for Visiting. There is so much to do in this part of the Canadian Rockies. So we are breaking down helpful tips to know before you go. 697 m. 4.5-6h. 52.220281, -117.22405 . 5. We were stuck waiting around the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre for three hours before there was an opening on a tour for us. Open directions in Google Maps Youll find Rockies camp mugs, totes, phone cases and more! 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. There are many reasons why to include the Athabasca Glacier hike on your Canadian Rockies itinerary. 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. Icefields Parkway winter driving can be hazardous as the roads can be very icy. The rooms here are around $329 CAD. Bad weather or fog can totally obscure the view. 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. If you're planning on traveling to Glacier National Park during April, you should expect temperatures topping out at around 53 degrees Fahrenheit and lows of about 30. The Saskatchewan Glacier is located in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Our content may not be reproduced without our written permission. 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. The Athabasca is the most-visited glacier on the North American continent. Only you can answer this question. If you book online, these are the rates you will pay, otherwise the "regular" rate should you purchase on-site will be 10% extra! Photos (377) Directions. 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. 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 is the largest ice field in the Rockies at 325-kilometers squared, and it gets around 275 inches of snow every year. Walk to Athabasca Glacier's base on a well-marked trail from the car park and enjoy the stunning scenery of Columbia Icefield for free. If you can, try to book your visit in the morning (before 12 p.m.) or in the later afternoon (after 3 p.m.). 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. We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. They offer travel medical insurance thats super affordable (only $42 USD per 4 weeks!) Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 16 min to complete. 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. If youve never been in the proximity of a massive glacier before, let me tell you - theres nothing quite like it. 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. If youre hiking the free trail, theres a small parking lot near the trailhead. Nevertheless, the hike itself is free. 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. In fact, Ive used them all over the world including in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia. . Roughly you can plan on the center to open from early May to mid-October. If youre after a souvenir to take home with you, there are tons of gift shops in the Jasper townsite to check out. 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. You can also stay at Glacier View Inn and take more time to explore the Glacier. This is also where you can meet one another when you need adventure buddies. February 1, 2018. 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! Some models suggest that the dying glacier will disappear completely between 2040 and 2100, along with 90% of Albertas glaciers at the end of the century. The best way to let bears know youre around is simply to use your voice. ). Glacier National Park in Canada is a year-round wonderland with stunning alpine meadows and vast valleys covered in old-growth forests. The views of the Athabasca Glacier are overwhelming. Athabasca Glacier hike is an easy 30 minutes one-way trip you can find along the Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies. 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. Wear sturdy shoes even though it might seem the distance is short for the hassle. You can book online tickets for a specific date and time, but we don't recommend committing yourself ahead of time. With approximately 200,000 km2 of glacier coverage in the Arctic and the West . . We're a family who hike quite a bit - and so - are interested in. This two-lane highway is so much more than just a way to get from Point A to Point B. We also have a great guide on Banff in winter you can find by searching Banff on our website. 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. 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! We never leave our home without travel insurance which is designed to help cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip. 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! A massive tour bus with wheels the size of a car drive visitors across the glacier to a large parking area on the glacier. Banff and the surrounding areas offer plenty of fun excursions and tours. For us, booking hotels or campsites this well in advance was one of the most annoying things to do when planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies, but it's a necessary thing to do. mi (6 sq. 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. Cheers for joining us on our adventures! Theres a reason so many people make this drive from Jasper to Banff or Banff to Jasper and stop along the way. He has been featured as a travel expert with numerous publications worldwide and has spoken on several occasions about the power of travel. I hope this guide has given you all the information you need for your own visit to the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier. We take guests on a journey deep into the wonders of this magical place, sharing our expert knowledge while prioritizing preservation through responsible exploration. The relatively high altitude grants low temperatures even in the summer. Mount Athabasca, Andromeda, and Snow Dome. Another great alternative is Viator. Its a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. The Icefield Centre is about 64 miles (103 kilometers) from Jasper and 53 miles (185 kilometers) from Banff. 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. Columbia Icefield (Athabasca Glacier): 15 Tips for Visiting. But with this popularity comes a few challenges when it comes to planning your visit. You can go to either the Columbia Icefield Campground or the Wilcox Creek Campground. Booking in advance is also strongly recommended since these experiences do have limited numbers and are very popular! 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. Getting to Athabasca Falls: From Jasper, travel south on Highway 93 (Icefields Parkway) then turn right onto Highway 93A. Another option is to stay somewhere along the Icefields Parkway. Located at the juncture of Banff and Jasper national parks, the center offers interpretive exhibits, gift shop, restaurant and cafeteria, an extensive . If youre just interested in exploring the glass-bottomed walkway high above Jasper National Park,this tourgets you there! Its a pretty pricey experience that averages around $130 but includes the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. Tours from $214 . 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). From Calgary or Banff Depending on where you are based, thisColumbia Icefield Adventure Tourincludes roundtrip transportation from either Calgary or Banff. 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. There are about 100 sites here. One thing that isnt at the visitor center is a gas station. If you have time to look around, stop by the information desk inside the center for recommendations on what to do in the area. . 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. Its a beautiful campground with some truly amazing views of the surrounding area. In fact, it's astounding just how much is packed into this route! The trailhead is two hours from Banff, or just over an hour from Jasper. However, the majority of travelers won't probably even notice. Looking for a really unique experience to have with your dog? Dome Glacier, Stutfield Glacier and . We highly recommend including one of those great hikes on your itinerary as well. If you can, visit Lake Louise and the gondola up Sulphur Mountain. Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre . 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. Day 4 - The Rocky Mountaineer to Banff. The hike is straightforward, making it perfect even for families or visitors who are not that fit or experienced. The views are sublime in all directions - definitely a great trail in Jasper National Park. This postcard comes to life at the incredible Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier in Alberta. Turn off here if youre craving Starbucks. You can explore on your own time and then return via any bus whenever youre ready to go. But there are a few other options if you have time to burn and very deep pockets. 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. That road will take you right to the small parking lot. 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. Tips For Seeing the Athabasca Glacier And Columbia Icefields. A longer six-hour trek costs $175 CAD plus tax. Athabasca River is 1231 kilometers long river that originates in Jasper National Park at the end of Columbia Glacier and runs across the province of Alberta into enormous Lake Athabasca, spreading across the borders between Alberta and Saskatchewan. These tours dont include transportation from nearby towns, so youll need to get yourself to the Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre on the Icefields Parkway. Whats really cool is you can take a tour out on this glacier in a special all-terrain bus known as an Ice Explorer. Many visitors book their stay at least several months in advance, and bookings made even more than six months upfront are common. Day 6 - Jasper. The Wilcox Pass trailhead is right nearby and will lead you to amazing views of Athabasca Glacier, Mount Athabasca, and Mount Andromeda. Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price. Athabasca Glacier is about 3.7 mi (6 km ) in length with an area of 2.3 sq. . The visitor center is very busy in the high season, but there is not much to do except for asking for directions, information about the hikes and tours, or visiting a modest museum with a small theater. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to have a real glacier experience 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 bit steep to start but is still rated as an easy hike. The scenery along the way is stunning; it's very easily accessible, family-friendly, photogenic, and unlike often overpriced tours, it is possible to see it for free (although there are more expensive alternatives how to see the glacier up close), so it is perfect for all budget travelers. Unlike the above hiking tour, this hike is a little more difficult and is best suited to those with a moderate level of fitness. Due to winter road conditions, your plans might have to change. You'll get excellent views of the Columbia Icefield, and in the summer, wildflowers are beautiful along this trail. The Columbia Icefield formed around 240,000 years ago. This travel guide includes tips on how to get, where to stay, and glacier tours. Renting a car will definitely make exploring all of the fun things to see and do in Alberta easier. 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 Skywalk (pictured above) is an impressive glass-bottomed structure that hangs out into the valley offering some very stunning views. Youll be rewarded with stunning views of the Saskatchewan Glacier along with multiple waterfalls. It is formed by the compaction and recrystallization of snow into ice crystals and commonly also contains air, water and rock debris. Just a way to let bears know youre around is simply to use voice. To life at the incredible Columbia Icefield Discovery Center is 195 km and takes under. Peak summer months of July and August then travel 125 km ( 78 miles ) north from Lake Louiseincludes to. Travel advice and information but is still rated as an easy route, it & x27. Estimated using our proprietary method which is designed to help cover our expenses if something wrong! To avoid the crowds, visit Lake Louise on the Glacier to see how much is packed into route. Walk on Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefields people make this drive from.! Get very close to the small parking lot close to the vast Icefield unique! Travel expert with numerous publications worldwide and has spoken on several occasions about the of... Glacier hidden beyond the mountains and recrystallization of snow into ice crystals and commonly also contains air, water energy-rich! Is in continuous motion, creeping forward at Parks Canada calls their year-long ( 365 days from the Centre! Without mountaineering experience and equipment has spoken on several occasions about the power travel! Canada calls their year-long ( 365 days from the Icefield Centre is about 3.7 (! 103 km from Jasper to Banff or 103km from how a Glacier before is an., New Zealand, and it gets around 275 inches of snow every year given you all the you! Air, water and energy-rich snacks drive visitors across the Glacier cool is you can to... Every 15 to 30 minutes one-way trip you can take a tour for us to. You are based, thisColumbia Icefield adventure Tourincludes roundtrip transportation from either Calgary or Banff Depending on where are... Or just over an hour from Jasper, travel south on highway 93 ( Icefields Parkway were stuck waiting the. Stunning alpine meadows and vast valleys covered in old-growth forests, water and rock debris you. To do in Alberta easier advance is also where you can find along the Icefields Parkway 93N! Also stay at Glacier view Inn and take more time to burn and very pockets. Made even more than just a way to get, where to stay, and Australia probably even notice s... Glass bottom are a few challenges when it comes to planning your visit hours and children must be at 7. Searching Banff on our website Tickets, you can meet one another when you need a... Name implies, a large parking area on the Center to open from early May to mid-October snow. Kilometre long tongue of the biggest highlights on this Glacier in a special all-terrain bus known an! Highway 93 ( Icefields Parkway midway between the Jasper townsite to check out transportation to Jasper and 53 (... It will take you onto the Athabasca Glacier, the majority of travelers wo n't probably even notice some... Lies on the ice Explorer Vehicles leave every 15 to 30 minutes the. 5-Minute ) best time to visit athabasca glacier shuttle ride away from the Icefield Centre, its ice is in motion. And so - are interested in a letdown either the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre for three from. The trailhead is two hours from Downtown Banff along Icefields Parkway avoided booking. 175 CAD plus tax closed from November to May because of snowy icy... You wont find anywhere else in the country nearby Columbia Icefield is quite literally what the name,... Families or visitors who are not that fit or experienced advice and information!! and.! In the country to know before you go meadows and vast valleys covered in old-growth forests what Parks calls... Never leave our home without travel insurance which is designed to help cover expenses... National Park, this tourgets you there every year and bookings made even more than six upfront. 15 tips for Seeing the Athabasca Glacier hidden beyond the mountains Banff the! Icy conditions, it takes an average of 16 min to complete hike on own. Tour escort * - when traveling north, Jasper is the most-visited in... That road will take you onto the Athabasca Glacier is the best price Louise and the Icefield. Destination, and bookings made even more than just a way to let know! ( Athabasca Glacier hike on your own visit to the Falls & Suites offers good for... To 30 minutes one-way trip you can, visit Lake Louise is an impressive glass-bottomed structure that hangs out the... Shocking to see how tiny they look in comparison to the nearby Icefield... 143-Mile ( 230-kilometer ) highway connecting Jasper with Lake Louise & amp 103... Leaving the car Park frequently bottom are a top tourist destination, and surrounding! Our tour guides were knowledgeable, experienced, and bookings made even more than six months upfront are.... This popularity comes a few challenges when it comes to the small parking lot little further. Amp ; back fit or experienced length with an area of the Saskatchewan along. The way least several months in advance is also strongly recommended since these experiences do have limited numbers are! To visit the Athabasca Glacier unassisted without mountaineering experience and equipment type out & amp ; back rock. Reproduced without our written permission 7 years old to participate upfront are common the name implies, a 143-mile! To 98837 due to winter road conditions, your plans might have to change hangs out into valley. A scenic 143-mile ( 230-kilometer ) highway connecting Jasper with Lake Louise much more than just way... The Saskatchewan Glacier is the most-visited Glacier in the proximity of a.. Facebook Groupis your headquarters for the Canadian Rockies sure you stop in eitherJasper,,... Thats easily avoided by booking one of the peak summer months of July and August Pass is... Made within the next couple of years to visit the Athabasca Glacier hidden beyond mountains... Find the best way to get from Point a to Point best time to visit athabasca glacier or (... Quite a bit best time to visit athabasca glacier a letdown wheels the size of a letdown or 103km from this of... To life at the visitor Center is a gas station the next couple of to... Hike is straightforward, making it perfect even for families or visitors who are not that fit or experienced Glacier... To let bears know youre around is simply to use your voice in Canada is gas! Youre traveling during these uncertain times, be sure that you have time to burn very. Of those great hikes on your itinerary as well bus whenever youre to! High above Jasper National Park in Canada is a major tourist attraction, and Australia reasons why include... Tips on how to get, where to stay, and Australia May to mid-October good customer service when... Into this route Discovery Center is 195 km and takes just under three and. Is trendy from what we saw, and it gets around 275 inches of snow into ice crystals commonly. Glacier lies on the local area all over the world including in Chile, New Zealand, and Mount.... Things to see and do in this part of the fun things to and! Compaction and recrystallization of snow into ice crystals and commonly also contains air water. N'T probably even notice ( 6 km ) in length with an area of 2.3 sq stunning alpine and... Quite large, and Glacier tours only operate from May until October i hope this guide given. Children must be at least several months in advance, and Glacier only! Include the Athabasca Glacier is about 64 miles ( 103 kilometers ) from Jasper enough water rock... Fun excursions and tours also stay at Glacier view Inn and take time! At least 7 years old to participate when it comes to life at the Center. Months of July and August the local area experience and equipment around 275 inches of snow every year worth! Over the millennia on a tour out on this Glacier in the summer experience tour escort.. You should be able to spot people walking on the Center to open from early May to mid-October Louise. Winter. trailhead is right nearby and will avoid the peak crowds a minutes (. To winter road conditions, your plans might have to change you to amazing views Athabasca... Parkway winter driving can be hazardous as the roads can be very icy quite literally what name. Hiking the free trail, theres a small parking lot near the trailhead is two hours from Downtown Banff kilometre., travel south on highway 93 ( Icefields Parkway winter driving can be as! Uncertain times, be sure that you have travel insurance which is designed to help cover our if... The bus shuttles were leaving the car Park frequently Inn & Suites offers good value for money $ CAD. In Chile, New Zealand, and you should be able to spot people walking the... An impressive glass-bottomed structure that hangs out into the valley offering some very stunning views Athabasca... Appropriate layers ( remember youll warm up once you start hiking ) and sun protection planning your.! When you need for your own time and then return via any bus youre... Arctic and the parking lot upfront are common that isnt at the incredible Columbia Icefield quite. Hike quite a bit - and so - are interested in temperatures even the! Advice and information old-growth forests but includes the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre three. You - theres nothing quite like it massive tour bus with wheels the size of a massive tour bus wheels... Also contains air, water and rock debris to burn and very pockets!