You have a better chance of spotting wildlife like mountain goats and bighorn sheep and will avoid the peak crowds. 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. This is one of the biggest tips I have for you if your heart is set on getting to explore the icefield and glacier up close, book in advance!! Athabasca Glacier hike is an easy 30 minutes one-way trip you can find along the Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies. Using Motorhome Republic you can search hundreds of deals across multiple companies to pick a great vehicle and the cheapest price. It is ONLY the best value if you are traveling alone and only plan to visit a national park for one day. Demand is heaviest from June to September, and accommodation fills up quickly. You get to spend a long time thoroughly exploring many unique features of the glacier. The hike starts from a gravel Athabasca Glacier parking lot. For a discount, book the Ice Explorer Tour and Skywalk Tour together in advance online. Parks Canada Passes can be bought online here or at one of the Visitor Centers of booths at the entrance to many national parks. Its a beautiful campground with some truly amazing views of the surrounding area. The Saskatchewan Glacier is located in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Our recommendation would be to shoot for an early morning and witness sunrise on the Icefields Parkway. But there was one activity we had no doubts about, and we put it on our itinerary firmly straight away. 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. At 11,453 feet in elevation with a massive glacier and convenient location, Athabasca proves to be a tremendous first 11,000er.. If youre hiking the free trail, theres a small parking lot near the trailhead. Departs on Australia on 4 September 2023 & 20 May 2024. This waterfall is beautiful and easy to find right off the highway. After traveling the world for six years, he settled down in the beautiful Bow Valley with Natasha. Turn off here if youre craving Starbucks. 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. Its quite large, and you should be able to find a spot here. Its one of thebest places to visit in Alberta! A massive tour bus with wheels the size of a car drive visitors across the glacier to a large parking area on the glacier. 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. There are about 100 sites here. The Athabasca Glacier is an easy day trip from Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. That's right, a short walk to the foot of the Athabasca Glacier is a must-do activity while touring the Icefields Parkway. Be aware of what time it gets dark and check the weather forecast. A reservation is not required unless you have a large group. If youre scared of heights it may make your heart skip a beat as the view down to the valley floor 300 meters below can be dizzying. When you stand on Athabasca Glacier it feels a bit like standing in front of an open freezer. 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.) We visited the Athabasca Glacier twice already, and both times, it was super windy and chilly even at the foot of the glacier. You will notice several warning signs along the trail, and we highly recommend you to read the interpretative boards that explain more. But there are a few other options if you have time to burn and very deep pockets. According to your ticketed time, youll board a bus at the Glacier Discovery Center that will drive you to the Skywalk. 5. Length 0.9 miElevation gain 200 ftRoute type Out & back. This is also a great opportunity to take in fantastic views from the Glacier Skywalk. One of the things we want to do is to visit the icefields. The thickness of Athabasca Glacier lies between 300-980 ft (90-300 m). 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. 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. 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. 52.220281, -117.22405 . . Location: 130 km from Lake Louise & 103 km from Jasper. 5.0. We suggest picking up a packed lunch in Banff, Lake Louise, or Jasper. To do a hike in this area, I recommend checking out the Wilcox Pass or Parker Ridge Trails. This postcard comes to life at the incredible Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier in Alberta. This blog may contain affiliate links. Then travel 125 km (78 miles) north from Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway Highway 93N to the Columbia Icefield. Wilcox Pass is a moderately challenging 4 km (2.5 miles) hike that starts at the Wilcox Creek campground. From the center, you can book tickets on the Ice Explorer or Columbia Icefield Skywalk. The Columbia Icefield is roughly 325 square kilometers and covers a large area of Alberta between Banff and Jasper National Parks. SafetyWing is our go-to insurance when we are going on longer trips. 7. Time required to visit: 1 - 2 hrs, depending on interest. Please do not use my photos or trip reports without receiving permission. All that being said, we do understand the want to see a glacier up close, and if you are going to gain knowledge about glaciers, I suppose we can sacrifice one in the hopes that others around the world are saved. Situated across from the Icefield Centre, its ice is in continuous motion, creeping forward at . If you want to walk on the glacier, the Athabasca Glacier tours only operate from May until October. For an optimal experience visit our site . If you are in this area during the colder time of year, I absolutely LOVE Jasper National Park in winter. On your walk through the dry glacier field you can see posts marking the glacier's retreat. We highly recommend booking an Ice Walk tour and not try to walk on the glacier on your own. If youre driving up the Icefields Parkway, visiting this glacier is definitely an essential must-do on your Icefields Parkway itinerary. The Athabasca Glacier is a large toe that extends down from the Columbia Icefield. 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. Accompanied by a My Travel Experience tour escort*. The Athabasca Glacier tours are available from May until October and book up quickly during the summer. To get the perspective of how massive the glacier really is, watch the visitors on the glacier, who appear as small moving dots from the lookout. Free shipping for many products! With a million people coming every year between May to October, you wont be alone in wanting to stop here. If this experience sounds like the right fit for you, make sure you book this hike online now! Situated between Jasper and Banff, this is a spot you dont want to miss if you have the chance. 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. Wilcox Pass is a moderately challenging 4 km (2.5 miles) hike that starts at the Wilcox Creek campground. Bear spray is a must whenever travelling in bear country, as well as learning how to use it. You can book ahalf-day tour like this onewhere youll spend 3 hours hiking on Athabasca Glacier with an experienced guide. In all honesty, were not big fans of either the Ice Explorer vehicles driving on Athabasca Glacier or the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. 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. If you have time to look around, stop by the information desk inside the center for recommendations on what to do in the area. Athabasca is one of the most easily accessed glaciers in North America, just a few minutes from the parking area. 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. With approximately 200,000 km2 of glacier coverage in the Arctic and the West . You can go to either the Columbia Icefield Campground or the Wilcox Creek Campground. We've actually been traveling non-stop for the last few years now, so we really are living a "destinationless" lifestyle! Bad weather or fog can totally obscure the view. Cold winds from the direction of the glacier make their appearance here. The trailhead is two hours from Banff, or just over an hour from Jasper. Glscier-fed Sunwapta Lake to the rear looking somewhat gloomy. 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. Though your chance of an aggressive bear encounter is low, it is always better to be prepared with bear spray. One thing that isnt at the visitor center is a gas station. We think this is one of the most spectacular areas and the perfect place for an outdoor vacation. 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! Note: The Athabasca Glacier is located in Jasper National Park, meaning that a valid park pass is required. The best time to explore this place is to visit in the morning during the summer season before the crowds arrive. So, your tickets to the Skywalk include roundtrip transport from the Discovery Centre as well as your admission to get on the Skywalk itself. The relatively high altitude grants low temperatures even in the summer. When it comes to places to visit before they disappear, the Athabasca Glacier should be on your list. 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). Wear sturdy shoes even though it might seem the distance is short for the hassle. Leaving Banff, travel 55 km (34 miles) west on the Trans-Canada Highway #1 to Lake Louise. In fact, Ive used them all over the world including in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. . 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. You can reach the glacier from your car in around 10-20 minutes. (Jeff . Youll spend an entire day sightseeing, including an Athabasca Glacier tour, Skywalk adventure, a visit to the Weeping Wall, and Athabasca Falls. Open directions in Google Maps Travel Insurance: World Nomads Travel Insurance covers against risks of travel. TheGlacier View Lodgehas rooms overlooking the glaciers and mountains and is close to all the activities here. Athabasca Glacier Columbia Icefield Jasper National Park . It is shocking to see how much it has retreated . We did a three-day mountaineering course with Yamnuska and summited on the third day the experience was epic. 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. 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). We personally wouldn't buy this tour as it does not seem exactly environmentally friendly. They offer travel medical insurance thats super affordable (only $42 USD per 4 weeks!) If youre driving with an RV, there is overnight parking available in a large asphalt lot on the west side of the Discovery Centre. Because youre not driving, youll be able to enjoy the scenic views! To open it up in Google Maps for easy navigation just click the red pin. A great place to try this is Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park. A short straightforward walk is all takes to get up to the rocky plateau looking out at the glacier. See our complete Alberta packing list here. The only reservations that are required are for the guided Ice Walk as it is with an independent tour operator not associated with Pursuit and the Icefield Discovery Center. I hope you enjoyed this guide to the Athabasca Glacier in Banff National Park! When it comes to safety, stay on the trail, and don't leave the roped-off area. We wanted to see Athabasca Glacier up close. 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! This pass will give 365 days of access to all participating national parks in Canada. 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. TheBanff Blog Facebook Groupis your headquarters for the Canadian Rockies travel advice and information. 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. Getting to Athabasca Falls: From Jasper, travel south on Highway 93 (Icefields Parkway) then turn right onto Highway 93A. Explore this 0.9-mile out-and-back trail near Improvement District No. We depart the UK on our flight from London Heathrow to Vancouver, where we transfer to our superb Fairmont Hotel in the heart of the city for two nights. This short walk up to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier is located in the Columbia Icefield, the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains. The Skywalk (pictured above) is an impressive glass-bottomed structure that hangs out into the valley offering some very stunning views. The Toe of the Glacier hike is the only way to visit Athabasca Glacier for free. If you plan on spending time in Canadas national parks then youre going to have to pay for a Parks Pass. The trail is well-marked, and it's almost impossible to get lost here. 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. 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. The Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier are closest to Jasper, with only about an hours drive to travel the 106 kilometers (66 miles). Many climbers in the Rockies have the lifetime goal of summiting all 54 (58) of the peaks, and they are considered classic mountaineering objectives. between Lake Louise and Jasper. Wait for a day when you know there is good visibility. It all depends on where youre staying the night before. To get here, youll take the Icefields Parkway a beautiful stretch of highway (arguably the most scenic in all of Canada!) The Columbia Icefield Glacier Center serves as a hub for visitors who seek a closer look at the glacier. We'll talk about it later in this blog post. Canada is a large country and traveling between cities and even just getting out to some of the best places to visit in Alberta requires transport. Print/PDF map. Youll hike uphill before the trail evens out. Columbia Icefield Adventure includes the Ice Explorer Tour on the Athabasca Glacier, admission to the Skywalk and return transportation from the Glacier Discovery Centre. You can only go to the skywalk from the discovery center as there is no parking on the road, so you will have to go check in there first. 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. 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