If youre just interested in exploring the glass-bottomed walkway high above Jasper National Park,this tourgets you there! Once you arrive at the Skywalk, youll get to see a variety of interpretive displays about the history of this glacier region before venturing out onto the glass-bottomed walkway for breathtaking views. This pass will give 365 days of access to all participating national parks in Canada. If you are driving here in the winter, make sure you have winter tires on your car and always check road conditions, as snowstorms are common. Please do not use my photos or trip reports without receiving permission. Departs on Australia on 4 September 2023 & 20 May 2024. One of the best hotels in Jasper is right at the foot of the Columbia Icefield. While you can drive the Icefields Parkway in the winter, weather dependent, the Columbia Icefields Discovery Center does close. Athabasca Glacier sits at the base of several notable peaks such as Mount Athabasca, Andromeda, and Snow Dome. Car rental in Canada isnt super cheap, but it isnt overly expensive either, especially if you get a budget car. 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 . Drive a short distance up the road and the parking lot . The Athabasca Glacier is probably the most commercially developed area of The Icefields Parkway. To get here, youll take the Icefields Parkway a beautiful stretch of highway (arguably the most scenic in all of Canada!) Because the Athabasca Glacier is so accessible, its the most popular glacier to visit in the world. Estimated between Mon, Mar 6 and Fri, Mar 10 to 23917. When is the Best Time to Visit the Glacier Skywalk? This brings us to the next thing we need to mention. See our complete Alberta packing list here. Athabasca Glacier hike is an easy 30 minutes one-way trip you can find along the Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies. They offer travel medical insurance thats super affordable (only $42 USD per 4 weeks!) The landscape is stark and bare, covered in loose gray stones. . . The Icefield forms a high altitude ice-cap that lies on a plateau. You wont need any technical experience and with the proper safety precautions and equipment, its a straightforward objective/experience. Receive travel guides, stories, tips and photos to inspire your wanderlust and save money while on the road! So if you have arrived from New York or Sydney or any sea-level city in the world, take your time, walk slowly and enjoy the scenery. You could easily spend an entire summer here! The ridge has tremendous views over the Saskatchewan Glacier that are phenomenal and the hike is easy enough to complete in under two hours. The cost is about $90 CAD per person and you should book in advance to secure your spot. If youre coming fromLake Louise to Jasper National Park, its about a 1.5-hour drive or about 132 kilometers (82 miles) to get to the icefield and glacier. The Athabasca Glacier flows into the Athabasca Glacier, filling it with vibrant blue water. Another popular option is to rent a campervan or motorhome (only for the brave in winter.) 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. The hotel offers an excellent location, basic rooms, and facilities. While youre on Athabasca Glacier bring an empty water bottle as you can fill right up from the source of glacial water! Full Day Guided Glacier Hike on The Athabasca with IceWalks. This includes the most popular parks like Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay, Glacier, Mount Revelstoke and so much more. February 1, 2018. A shuttle bus leaves from the discovery center around every fifteen minutes to the Skywalk which is 6 km away. Bear spray. We personally wouldn't buy this tour as it does not seem exactly environmentally friendly. You can even stop to fill your water bottle with fresh glacier water! Feel free to leave any questions in the comment section below. Only you can answer this question. The Ice Explorer Vehicles leave every 15 to 30 minutes in the summer and can cycle through a large number of visitors. 17. Our budget was also quite limited, and we saved the money for the Mount Assiniboine Trek, which we did a few days later. A reservation is not required unless you have a large group. Soon, we might not have any glaciers left. Unlike the above hiking tour, this hike is a little more difficult and is best suited to those with a moderate level of fitness. This article may contain affiliate links. Glacier Skywalk and Columbia Icefields (1 hour 15 minutes from Jasper) You will probably want to spend most of the time here. For a narrative audio tour around the Rockies, consider getting the Gypsy Guide. Using Motorhome Republic you can search hundreds of deals across multiple companies to pick a great vehicle and the cheapest price. Be aware of what time it gets dark and check the weather forecast. 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. 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. Tours from $99 . The hike starts from a gravel Athabasca Glacier parking lot. Best glacier tour on Athabasca!! Visit Athabasca Glacier a disappearing wonder. 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. For better views, go on one of our favorite hikes nearby called Parker Ridge. At 11,453 feet in elevation with a massive glacier and convenient location, Athabasca proves to be a tremendous first 11,000er.. The Columbia Icefield is considered to be the most abundant ice mass in the Rocky Mountains, extending 25 kms across the Continental Divide. Very informative and helpful. From Banff: Thisfull-day tourleaves from Banff and heads down the Icefields Parkway. For a discount, book the Ice Explorer Tour and Skywalk Tour together in advance online. Glacier Adventure on the Athabasca Glacier ONLY. 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. 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. However, you can still come in winter to hike theToe of the Athabasca Glacier TrailI previously mentioned. Although you can use public transport, on some occasions, it means your trip will not only require more time but more planning. Please practice good ethics, and don't take any risks that put yourself or others in danger. If youre traveling during these uncertain times, be sure that you have travel insurance! 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. This was such a waste of time thats easily avoided by booking one of the tours I linked above before you go. The relatively high altitude grants low temperatures even in the summer. This type of pass is valid for one person for one day. The tour company that operates the all-terrain bus said the vehicle was on its way to Athabasca Glacier, in the Columbia Icefield. The Athabasca Glacier is not alone in its retreat: Since 1960, glaciers around the world have lost an estimated 8,000 cubic kilometers (1,900 cubic miles) of ice. Look for the trail markings that lead you across a bridge and up towards the glacier. To help you make the most of your visit to this incredible place, Ive put together this complete guide to help. 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. Less than a minutes drive (super close!!) 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. That is approximately enough ice to cover a two-kilometer-wide (1.2 mile-wide) swath of land between New York and Los Angeles with an ice sheet that is one kilometer (0.62 miles) tall. Including hike info and off-season travel information. As with most attractions in Banff and Jasper its best to arrive early in the morning or late afternoon to beat the crowds. 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. 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. Travelingfrom Banff in the direction of Jasper, it will take you around 2.5 hours to get the 187 kilometers (116 miles) to the glacier. At 6km in length, it is the only glacier in the area. IE 11 is not supported. It was very similar to what we experienced, for example, on the West Coast in New Zealand or at Perito Moreno, Patagonia. Get to Know The Athabasca Glacier. Informative panels describe the slow retreat of the glacier. There is so much to do in this part of the Canadian Rockies. Athabasca Falls. Athabasca Glacier is about 3.7 mi (6 km ) in length with an area of 2.3 sq. We wanted to see Athabasca Glacier up close. This nearly four mile (6 km) glacier, located in Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies . The Athabasca Glacier is one of the most accessible "fingers" coming down from the giant Columbia Icefield, the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains. That road will take you right to the small parking lot. 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. When approaching the Columbia Icefield, in which the Athabasca Glacier resides, one of the first things you will notice (after the glaciers themselves) is the large visitors center on the east side of the road. Pictures cant capture just how massive this glacier is and how little you will feel while standing on it! 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. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 16 min to complete. During the winter months (November to May), the visitor center is closed, and there are no tours of the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield. From the top, you can spot countless glaciers, icefields, and many of Albertas highest peaks. Located at the juncture of Banff and Jasper national parks, the center offers interpretive exhibits, gift shop, restaurant and cafeteria, an extensive . Mount Athabasca looms over Athabasca Glacier, but only a few get to see the view from the top. Youll have amazing views of the Sunwapta Valley, and the long glass-bottomed walkway thats over 1,000 feet above is a thrill! 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. Ive marked the trailhead on the map above. It all depends on where youre staying the night before. 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. Mount Athabasca, Andromeda, and Snow Dome. The Athabasca Glacier is an easy day trip from Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. Extra $550 per person from Perth. Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld. Duration: 3 hours. . Athabasca Glacier happens to be the most accessible glacier in the Canadian Rockies and well worth a stop. for the possibility of wildlife encounters. It is a gorgeous area and the best time of the year to go is in the summer! However, the Ice Walk tours across the Athabasca Glacier require advanced booking with the local tour company. If youre driving up the Icefields Parkway, visiting this glacier is definitely an essential must-do on your Icefields Parkway itinerary. 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! Make sure to keep a respectful distance from wildlife and never feed the animals. 17 BEST Stops on the Drive from Vancouver to Whistler - Road Trip Guide, How to Get to Moraine Lake (from Banff, Canmore, Calgary, and More! The melting snow and waters from the glaciers flow straight north to the Arctic Ocean, east to the Atlantic Ocean and west to the Pacific Ocean. The glacier is in continual motion, and creeps . DISCLAIMER: All activities you find on this site are dangerous. 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. As you plan your own trip to this amazing place, Ive put together a complete guide with tips and advice to make the most of your visit. No need to worry about safety as these glass panels are literally bulletproof and then some. Its also a great introduction for those interested in mountaineering. Enjoy this 0.6-mile out-and-back trail near Jasper, Alberta. The ice in the center of this glacier is as thick as the Eiffel Tower is tall! Day 6 - Jasper. Our aim is to help you get the most out of your trip to Banff National Park and the surrounding areas. Yes, it can be. You can reach the glacier from your car in around 10-20 minutes. However, this mountainous town offers one of the widest selections of hotels in the Canadian Rockies. 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). Glacier Skywalk. 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