To do a hike in this area, I recommend checking out the Wilcox Pass or Parker Ridge Trails. 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. If you have time to look around, stop by the information desk inside the center for recommendations on what to do in the area. 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. The peak is one of many in the Canadian Rockies famous for reaching an altitude of 11,000 feet. Another option is to stay somewhere along the Icefields Parkway. Photos (377) Directions. At its terminus, the glacier sits about 1500 meters from the famed Icefields Parkway and a convenient parking lot makes it an easy walk. Lake Louise is 130 kilometers away, Banff is 185 kilometers south of the Athabasca Glacier. 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. The Columbia Icefields Discovery Center acts as the gateway for many visitors with interactive exhibits, tours, and features such as the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. Its $16.75 CAD per night for both campgrounds. If you can, book your tour in the morning or late afternoon to avoid that peak of 12-3 p.m. when most people are out on tours. The daily rate for these passes is $10.50 CAD per adult, $21 CAD per family, and free for all kids 17 and under. mi (6 sq. The Athabasca Glacier is the most-visited glacier in all of North America. Information needed to plan a visit to the park at any time of the year is available on the park website. The Athabasca is the most-visited glacier on the North American continent. 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. This is not only a geological wonder but a truly unique spot you wont find anywhere else in the country. The rest is hidden beyond the mountains. The Glacier Skywalk is part of the Columbia Icefield, and it's one of the most popular attractions along the Icefields Parkway. 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. Another great alternative is Viator. 4.5Facilities. A tour is, after all, the only way you are allowed to actually step foot on the glacier. That's right, a short walk to the foot of the Athabasca Glacier is a must-do activity while touring the Icefields Parkway. Tips For Seeing the Athabasca Glacier And Columbia Icefields. Jasper National Park is just filled with fun things to do and see! 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. As time passes, the snow transforms into ice and begins to flow outward through gaps in the mountains surrounding the icefield, creating great tongues of ice called glaciers. Tickets for this experience are around $40 CAD. These peaks sit along the continental divide and most notable is Snow Dome where water flows to either the Pacific, Atlantic, or the Arctic Ocean. This travel guide includes tips on how to get, where to stay, and glacier tours. . You can explore on your own time and then return via any bus whenever youre ready to go. 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. According to your ticketed time, youll board a bus at the Glacier Discovery Center that will drive you to the Skywalk. When it comes to the Skywalk the views and the novelty of a glass bottom are a bit of a letdown. IE 11 is not supported. 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. Once you reach the Toe of the Athabasca Glacier, youll have an incredible view of the glacier and icefield in front of you (pictured above.) The Athabasca Glacier tours are available from May until October and book up quickly during the summer. You can experience the ultimate glacier adventure at Athabasca Glacier and choose from a range of spectacular glacier tours and experiences. 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! The Athabasca Glacier is one of the six foremost 'toes' of the Columbia Icefield, situated in the Canadian Rockies. When it comes to safety, stay on the trail, and don't leave the roped-off area. A picnic lunch is also included. Near the top. 697 m. 4.5-6h. 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. The ice in the center of this glacier is as thick as the Eiffel Tower is tall! The Ice Explorer Vehicles leave every 15 to 30 minutes in the summer and can cycle through a large number of visitors. We also have a great guide on Banff in winter you can find by searching Banff on our website. Cheers for joining us on our adventures! from. Informative panels describe the slow retreat of the glacier. Day passes can be purchased at the . Except for modern rooms, guests can enjoy a hot tub, steam room, sauna, and useful facilities such as luggage storage and ski storage. We're a family who hike quite a bit - and so - are interested in. Duration: 3 hours. We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Thanks for the response. Honestly, the views from the cafeteria and restaurant of the Discovery Center are fantastic for free. Its 6 km away from the Glacier Discovery Center and does not offer views of the Athabasca Glacier, but instead the Sunwapta Valley. How much will it cost to visit Glacier Skywalk? Yes! Still, before you . Setting off from the rugged parking lot towards the Athabasca Glacier. 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. As with most attractions in Banff and Jasper its best to arrive early in the morning or late afternoon to beat the crowds. These tours dont include transportation from nearby towns, so youll need to get yourself to the Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre on the Icefields Parkway. Please practice good ethics, and don't take any risks that put yourself or others in danger. Day 1 - London and Vancouver. You can walk up to the falls and climb up a bit to get a great photo. The reason for this is that there is no parking at the Skywalk. The Bald Hills are a legendary hike in Jasper, getting you high above the tree line with opportunities to explore this incredible chain of hills and summit other peaks. One of the things we want to do is to visit the icefields. The Icefield forms a high altitude ice-cap that lies on a plateau. Using Motorhome Republic you can search hundreds of deals across multiple companies to pick a great vehicle and the cheapest price. 4.8. This is the largest ice field in the Rockies and one of the most accessible, thanks to its location. If youre traveling during these uncertain times, be sure that you have travel insurance! This tour is family-friendly too since the hike is relatively easy and flat (5 km/3.1 miles in total.). 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. Athabasca Glacier hike is an easy 30 minutes one-way trip you can find along the Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies. Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance. Rapidly receding, the Athabasca Glacier draws visitors from around the world. 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. You will likely find us hiking, scuba diving, eating as much food as we possibly can, or just drinking beer at a hostel. There areso many epic things to do in Jasperwhen theres snow on the ground. Read our disclosure policy for more info. Travel Insurance: World Nomads Travel Insurance covers against risks of travel. The best way to let bears know youre around is simply to use your voice. 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. Very informative and helpful. More information on staying safe in the outdoors. Another popular option is to rent a campervan or motorhome (only for the brave in winter.) . Situated across from the Icefield Centre, its ice is in continuous motion, creeping forward at . As we still had plenty of time, we hiked to Wilcox Pass and tremendously enjoyed Parker Ridge Trail. The trailhead is two hours from Banff, or just over an hour from Jasper. He has a passion for all things in the Canadian Rockies and loves to spend his time snowboarding, scrambling, camping, biking, and trail running. It has already lost more than half of its total volume in the past 125 years and is shrinking by 16 feet every year. Look for the trail markings that lead you across a bridge and up towards the glacier. 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. Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld. Length 0.6 miElevation gain 82 ftRoute type Out & back. This nearly four mile (6 km) glacier, located in Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies . Athabasca glacier (6 km long, 90-300 m thick, 6 km 2 in area) is one of the six glaciers fed by Columbia Icefield, which can accessed easily by visitors traveling on Icefields Parkway. Athabasca Glacier is about 3.7 mi (6 km ) in length with an area of 2.3 sq. In 2018, we decided to settle down in one of the most beautiful places on earth, The Canadian Rockies. 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. You can also see markers along here showing how the glacier has shrunk over the years due to global warming. You can combine the tickets with the Lake Minnewanka cruise, Banff Gondola, or Maligne Lake cruise for a discount. With approximately 200,000 km2 of glacier coverage in the Arctic and the West . The highlight is a glass-floor platform where you can see directly down almost 1,000 feet below! These campgrounds are all first-come, first-served, pretty basic (some have washrooms, some only pit toilets), and fill up pretty fast too. 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