13 Mar and Fri, 17 Mar to 23917. and even have coverage in case you get that dreaded c-word. 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). 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. Tourists walk on the Athabasca Glacier, part of the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park, on May 7, 2014. Riders stay at Cliff Ranch, a modern lodge located 45 minutes away from Missoula. 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. To reach the summit requires a long hike to a technical glacier crossing and then up an exposed face or col. You follow along through an audio guide that is available in a wide range of languages that should cover most visitors. All backpackers and people traveling on a budget rejoice; the Athabasca Glacier hike is free (as all hikes in Jasper National Park). When driving between Jasper and Banff youre pretty much left with the Icefields Discovery Center or the disappointing Saskatchewan River Crossing. Adventure Tours. Something you will quickly realize when searching for hotels. Print/PDF map. 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. Whats really cool is you can take a tour out on this glacier in a special all-terrain bus known as an Ice Explorer. Roughly you can plan on the center to open from early May to mid-October. During the winter months (November to May), the visitor center is closed, and there are no tours of the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield. The Canadian Rockies are a top tourist destination, and the prices match this fact. One of the best things about Icefields Parkway is that it is not lined with hotels and resorts. 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! The ice goes between the summits of two mountains Mount Columbia on the west and Mount Athabasca on the east. We've already briefly touched on this topic. The Columbia Icefield is roughly 325 square kilometers and covers a large area of Alberta between Banff and Jasper National Parks. Wilcox Creek Campground has first come, first served sites, and it's an excellent choice for all visitors who don't want to spend a fortune on accommodation and want to stay close to the Athabasca Glacier, Wilcox Pass, and other points of interest. Informative panels describe the slow retreat of the glacier. The ice in the center of this glacier is as thick as the Eiffel Tower is tall! Athabasca Glacier Icewalks is a more intimate way to explore this massive glacier. The Columbia Icefield is the largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies and covers around 230 sq km (89 sq mi) at depths up to 265 meters (1,200 ft). 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. At the Discovery Centre, there is a large parking lot and this is where youll board the Ice Explorer bus to take you right onto the glacier. With approximately 200,000 km2 of glacier coverage in the Arctic and the West . If youre looking for a tourist-free rugged wilderness experience, sorry but this is not it. 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. These tours dont include transportation from nearby towns, so youll need to get yourself to the Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre on the Icefields Parkway. 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. 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 Columbia Icefield is the largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies and covers around 230 sq km (89 sq mi) at depths up to 265 meters (1,200 ft). Athabasca glacier has receded approximately a mile in over a century and is still receding by about 2-3 m per year. Even on a warm summer day, the weather around a glacier can be frigid as they create their own microclimates. Although only about 1.5 hours in length, it is a good experience and one you can easily work into your day driving the Icefields Parkway. Adults - CAD 85 (US$ 64) Children (Age 6-15) - CAD 43 (US$ 32) Under 5 - FREE. You must park in this lot if youve booked a glacier or Skywalk tour. The Ice Explorer vehicles are massive and operate all day in the summer, thats a lot of CO2 emissions doing damage to the precious environment. 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! The Skywalk (pictured above) is an impressive glass-bottomed structure that hangs out into the valley offering some very stunning views. Booking in advance is also strongly recommended since these experiences do have limited numbers and are very popular! The Columbia Icefield sits astride the continental divide and is 125 square miles full of fields of ice or almost the size of Seattle or Philadelphia! You can learn more on the about us page. Extra $550 per person from Perth. Columbia Icefield is the largest ice field in the Rockies of North America. It lies on the Continental Divide and on the border of Alberta and British Columbia. Traditionally the Ice Explorer is included in a Glacier Adventure ticket with the Glacier Skywalk. Tours are operational in the summer months only and subject to seasonal weather. The Icefields Parkwaya scenic drive over Lake Louise and Jaspercuts across the Columbia Icefield with amazing views of the Athabasca Glacier at its finest. Day 3 - The Rocky Mountaineer to Kamloops. World Nomads Travel Insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers to cover your trip essentials. 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). Of course, very few will drive the parkway in that amount of time as there are a plethora of worthy stops along the way. When it comes to safety, stay on the trail, and don't leave the roped-off area. The park spreads around 521 square miles (1,349 sq km) of area. It will take you onto the Athabasca Glacier for a 90-minute adventure. Please practice good ethics, and don't take any risks that put yourself or others in danger. It's estimated to be at least 12,000 years old. Easy 4.5 (1071) Jasper National Park. The Wilcox Pass trailhead is right nearby and will lead you to amazing views of Athabasca Glacier, Mount Athabasca, and Mount Andromeda. Wilcox Pass is a moderately challenging 4 km (2.5 miles) hike that starts at the Wilcox Creek campground. Its a bit steep to start but is still rated as an easy hike. You'll get excellent views of the Columbia Icefield, and in the summer, wildflowers are beautiful along this trail. ). This brings us to the next thing we need to mention. Jasper | Jasper Inn and Suites - When traveling north, Jasper is the best place to end your Icefields Parkway road trip. To avoid the crowds, visit outside of the peak summer months of July and August. We quickly realized that some of the activities are out of our budget, so it was easy to rule them out, but there were also too many things we wanted to see and too many photogenic places we did not want to miss, so the decision process was often quite heartbreaking. Location: 130 km from Lake Louise & 103 km from Jasper. 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. For 99 CAD, it's one of those typical tourist things to do, so only you can tell if it's worth it. Banff | Banff Inn - Banff is a little bit further from Icefields Parkway. The operating season is mid-April to mid-October. OK. How to get from Canmore to Athabasca . the best time to visit, and lots of photos of my experience. Tickets for this experience are around $40 CAD. for the possibility of wildlife encounters. We wanted to see Athabasca Glacier up close. The best time to explore this place is to visit in the morning during the summer season before the crowds arrive. Its field staff is rigorously trained, especially for the glacier tour, which also includes educational facts . The glacier is part of the massive Columbia Icefield . 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. A reservation is not required unless you have a large group. An icefield is quite literally what the name implies, a large field of ice built up over the millennia. This travel guide includes tips on how to get, where to stay, and glacier tours. This is a really special part of Canada, and touring a glacier is such a neat experience! I am not responsible for anything you do in the outdoors. If youre hiking the free trail, theres a small parking lot near the trailhead. We think this is one of the most spectacular areas and the perfect place for an outdoor vacation. It is arguably the most accessible glacier in North America and offers visitors a chance to get up close and personal to an earth-shaping wonder. You can also stay at Glacier View Inn and take more time to explore the Glacier. Dome Glacier, Stutfield Glacier and . . 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. Experiencing the magnificence of nature among the rugged icefields of an ancient glacier has never been so exciting. You may opt out of personalised ads at any time. Time required to visit: 1 - 2 hrs, depending on interest. Honestly, the views from the cafeteria and restaurant of the Discovery Center are fantastic for free. C$183.75. Now we live in Canmore and spend as much time as possible exploring and hiking around Banff. Columbia Icefield (Athabasca Glacier): 15 Tips for Visiting. They offer travel medical insurance thats super affordable (only $42 USD per 4 weeks!) But there are a few other options if you have time to burn and very deep pockets. Yes! Located at the juncture of Banff and Jasper national parks, the center offers interpretive exhibits, gift shop, restaurant and cafeteria, an extensive . Our recommendation would be to shoot for an early morning and witness sunrise on the Icefields Parkway. 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. Unlike the above hiking tour, this hike is a little more difficult and is best suited to those with a moderate level of fitness. The Glacier View Lodge is the only hotel in the area and is where you can stay if you want to wake up to views of the Athabasca Glacier. Leaving Banff, travel 55 km (34 miles) west on the Trans-Canada Highway #1 to Lake Louise. . 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. Theres a reason so many people make this drive from Jasper to Banff or Banff to Jasper and stop along the way. It is formed by the compaction and recrystallization of snow into ice crystals and commonly also contains air, water and rock debris. A shuttle bus leaves from the discovery center around every fifteen minutes to the Skywalk which is 6 km away. Photos (377) Directions. But there was one activity we had no doubts about, and we put it on our itinerary firmly straight away. Its 6 km away from the Glacier Discovery Center and does not offer views of the Athabasca Glacier, but instead the Sunwapta Valley. To do a hike in this area, I recommend checking out the Wilcox Pass or Parker Ridge Trails. Admission Prices. 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 Parker Ridge Trail is a short 2.7 km (1.6 miles) trail just south of the Discovery Centre. However, the majority of travelers won't probably even notice. Find the travel options that best suit you. 9 Vatnajokull Glacier, Iceland. Glacier hiking tours start at $105 CAD (as of 2018) plus tax. You can also book the glacier tours and Skywalk here. Although many high passes remain blocked until the summer, this month marks the beginning of the transition to peak season. . Wilcox Creek Campground has 46 campsites and can accommodate tents and SMALL trailers (big RVs should go to the RV parking lot). Very informative and helpful. We highly recommend including one of those great hikes on your itinerary as well. If you have time to look around, stop by the information desk inside the center for recommendations on what to do in the area. This is a common thing at the popular glacier hikes, and Athabasca Glacier is no exception to that. 697 m. 4.5-6h. Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre . However, I would certainly visit the Banff Hot Springs. Setting off from the rugged parking lot towards the Athabasca Glacier. You have a better chance of spotting wildlife like mountain goats and bighorn sheep and will avoid the peak crowds. This is the largest ice field in the Rockies and one of the most accessible, thanks to its location. Bad weather or fog can totally obscure the view. Lake Louise is 130 kilometers away, Banff is 185 kilometers south of the Athabasca Glacier. Length 0.6 miElevation gain 82 ftRoute type Out & back. Board the Ice Explorer, a large six-wheeled all-terrain vehicle. 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. SafetyWing is our go-to insurance when we are going on longer trips. It will be quieter here in the winter, so you wont be dealing with a crowd. Still, before you . Athabasca Glacier lies on the Columbia Icefields Parkway midway between the Jasper National Park and Banff National Park. 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 Columbia Icefield is considered to be the most abundant ice mass in the Rocky Mountains, extending 25 kms across the Continental Divide. July and August offer the best weather, but that's also the most crowded time of year. You can combine the tickets with the Lake Minnewanka cruise, Banff Gondola, or Maligne Lake cruise for a discount. While you can drive the Icefields Parkway in the winter, weather dependent, the Columbia Icefields Discovery Center does close. check out our shop for unique prints and souvenirs, 26 BEST Banff Hotels Downtown Hotels & Elsewhere (2023), Washrooms (running water and flush toilets). See our complete Alberta packing list here. 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 Athabasca is the most-visited glacier on the North American continent. The walk should only take 10-20 minutes and is easy enough for kids to tag along. or visit eBay's page on international trade . Its a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. At 11,453 feet in elevation with a massive glacier and convenient location, Athabasca proves to be a tremendous first 11,000er.. 2022 Jack Quincy. Yes, it can be. The Athabasca Glacier flows into the Athabasca Glacier, filling it with vibrant blue water. The Cycling House crew's home base is Big Sky Country, and guides know where to find the best off-the-beaten-path backroads. 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!). It has already lost more than half of its total volume in the past 125 years and is shrinking by 16 feet every year. Research current trail conditions and make sure you are well-informed about the route before you leave, and assess if it is within your capability. The rest is hidden beyond the mountains. You cannot attempt this on your own without mountaineering experience, it is a serious mountain. Saskatchewan Glacier is the largest outflow glacier out of the Columbia Icefield. You can't actually get very close to the glacier. Of course, if you are driving between Banff and Jasper, this isn . For an optimal experience visit our site . The shorter tour runs three hours and children must be at least 7 years old to participate. I have been wondering if we could go to Skywalk first before our time for the Glacier field tour? 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. Renting a car is an essential thing to do if you want to get the most of your trip to the Canadian Rockies. Icefields Parkway Weather (Best Time to Visit) Just like Banff and Jasper, the Icefields Parkway drive is fairly mild and warm in the summer months and very cold in the winter. If you can, visit Lake Louise and the gondola up Sulphur Mountain. The thing is that there are many lookouts and stops along the way where you don't have to pay, that the Skywalk makes sense only for visitors who really want to try the glass walk. between Lake Louise and Jasper. There you can disembark and walk around the glacier in a controlled environment. Right across the street from the icefields and Athabasca Glacier is the Columbia Icefields Visitor Centre. Please do not use my photos or trip reports without receiving permission. We are Dan and Bailey, just your typical thrill-seeking travelers! The Athabasca Glacier is a large toe that extends down from the Columbia Icefield. . I also highly recommend reading up on Leave No Trace principles before heading anywhere into the outdoors in general. Glacier Adventure on the Athabasca Glacier ONLY. 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. No matter which of these towns youre coming from, the road trip takes you down the Icefields Parkway. 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! The Discovery Pass is what Parks Canada calls their year-long (365 days from the purchase date), multi-park entry pass. It is shocking to see how much it has retreated . For a narrative audio tour around the Rockies, consider getting the Gypsy Guide. Pictures cant capture just how massive this glacier is and how little you will feel while standing on it! The Athabasca Glacier is an easy day trip from Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. There is so much to do in this part of the Canadian Rockies. You can also watch the award-winning film Through Ice and Time, which was specifically created for this gallery. It is illegal to remove any natural object you find in Jasper National Park, from flowers to rocks, as its important to leave the environment as natural as possible for the animals and for fellow hikers to enjoy in perpetuity. Make sure to tell someone where youre going and when you expect to return. You can reach the glacier from your car in around 10-20 minutes. Hiking poles may be helpful but are not required. 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. A massive tour bus with wheels the size of a car drive visitors across the glacier to a large parking area on the glacier. For campers, there are two nearby campgrounds. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey, we're Cameron and Natasha and have been writing about travel for the last decade. Its $16.75 CAD per night for both campgrounds. 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! In the past 125 years, the Athabasca Glacier has halved in volume. The Icefield forms a high altitude ice-cap that lies on a plateau. The park's manager says the glacier could disappear within one generation. We'll talk about it later in this blog post. Another popular option is to rent a campervan or motorhome (only for the brave in winter.) I hope you enjoyed this guide to the Athabasca Glacier in Banff National Park! Glscier-fed Sunwapta Lake to the rear looking somewhat gloomy. Icefields Parkway winter driving can be hazardous as the roads can be very icy. Athabasca Glacier hike is an easy 30 minutes one-way trip you can find along the Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies. The hotel offers an excellent location, basic rooms, and facilities. Then travel 125 km (78 miles) north from Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway Highway 93N to the Columbia Icefield. 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. This 1km (.6 mile) walkway towers over the Sunwapta Valley. Best glacier tour on Athabasca!! This nearly four mile (6 km) glacier, located in Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies . Bring appropriate layers (remember youll warm up once you start hiking) and sun protection. . Said that this tour is trendy from what we saw, and the bus shuttles were leaving the car park frequently. 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