Stopped at the Columbia Icefields to see the glacier was part of the tour that we took with the Rocky Mountaineer Rail. We also had lunch at the Altitude Cafe, and the Starbucks. I have mixed feeling about the trip to the Glacier. Don't know if that is something that I would have booked myself. It's a "cool" idea to be up on a Glacier, but it can also be a bit anticlimactic. You get driven out there in these hard "big as earth mover" buses, then parked, left to wander for 20 mins, then back on the noisy transports. Then there is the environmental impact of being up there, and the fact that climate change is already doing a job on the glaciers. Without waxing to much philosophy, one could say that about the entire travel industry. Anyways, it was a beautiful day, lots of sunshine, fresh air (once they turned off the diesels engines), the glacier and surrounding area is a treasure, and I was among people I love. Not a bad combination. Enjoy! read more

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This was the coolest place to spend a few hours. It's a unique, special activity that is organized and safe while at Jasper National Park. We were lucky to do this as parts of the park were still closed to do the fires during the summer months. The vehicles were specially made for this activity by Mercedes. The drivers and guides are knowledgeable and engaging. We stepped out onto a glacier for just about a minute as it was 0 degrees on the ice with the wind etc. and the glacier was slippery so I didn't want to go far. BUT I can say I walked on a glacier. The guides told us to walk like a Penguin so we did and that was fun. Highly recommend. read more

My kids have claimed this one of their all time favorite experiences. We splurged on the small group tour that takes about 10 or so people in the blue fat truck onto the glacier. You get a lot more time to explore the glacier and away from the massive crowds. Our guide Janna and driver Chris were so good with our kids, providing them with gloves so they can freely play with the fresh snow that fell the night before. Ending the tour with a cute cup as a souvenir + hot tea = yay! and thank you!! read more

Columbia Icefields - Blue fat truck - Tours Near Me

Note: my score reflects the combined glacier and Sky Walk tours. I'd rate the glacier tour higher IF I could take it separately. Prior to our trip, I tried several times to search on the internet for how to book JUST the glacier tours. I wasn't particularly interested in the ~ new Sky Walk. I couldn't find any way to book separately. I finally called the phone number listed for guest services at the Icefields visitors' center and asked them about it. They confirmed that it was NOT possible to book these separately; the ONLY option was a joint ticket. So, that's how I proceeded. I booked a 10:15 a.m. ticket for the glacier tour. The Sky Walk ticket was printed separately and was not time-stamped. My assumption was that you needed to be present at the specified time for the glacier tour but that you could then visit the Sky Walk at whatever time you chose. We arrived over 30 minutes before our initial departure time. Parking was plentiful, though the place was crowded with people already. We made our way into their building and found the ticket-checking line. It was a bit odd in that their printed tickets lacked the time-stamp (though the phone-image had it). They needed to cross-check your tickets on the computer. We were waved through and queued up for the bus. The basic process is that standard tour buses take you from the visitors' center across the road to a transfer station. Here, you move over to a 'snocoach' - a large bus with 6 huge tires and multiple gears for navigating on a steep slope to access the glacier and then navigating on the ice itself. The drive of this second vehicle serves as your guide and narrator. You drive about 15 minutes (slowly) in this vehicle to the glacier itself. There, you disembark and can spend around 30 minutes wandering around the safe area and taking pictures. It is definitely a unique experience. Eventually, you re-access the snocoach to go back to the transfer point and re-board a standard bus. En route back, our guide went off on a tangent about how the glacier should make you think about your daily life choices as well as 'who you vote for'. Look, the VERY last thing I want to hear about on a trip like this (other than road closures) is politics. Next came the surprise - the bus was not taking you back to the visitors' center, but instead was pressing on to the Sky Walk. We were 90 minutes in and my wife was semi-interested in finding a restroom. No one had said that the tours were linked, or that there were no restrooms at any point on them. We drove from the transfer station out to the highway and north for about 10 minutes to the Sky Walk. There is no parking here - only tour bus access and turn-arounds. You disembark, have your Sky Walk tickets checked, and then walk about 300 yards along the cliff to the Sky Walk itself. I had never actually been to one of these before, though I've seen photos and video of others on the web. I wasn't particularly interested in seeing it, but made the most of it (having no say in the matter). The glass flooring mildly freaked some guests out. There was plenty to see (waterfalls, a river canyon, etc.). We made a quick loop and then headed back. You then wait in an area with others for the next tour bus. It can vary from 10 - 40 minutes, according to various pamphlets and signs. Our bus showed up more in the 10-minute range. We rode back to the visitors' center, were let off at the gift shop, and made our way inside. As a short postscript to the above account - I got email surveys from the property separately about the glacier tour and the Sky Walk. I was especially annoyed when the Sky Walk survey stated "since you opted not to book the Sky Walk separately...". Excuse me? I was told, by your organization, that I could NOT do that. So don't tell me now this was all by my own choice, thanks! In summary - the glacier tour is interesting and unique. If I'd had the option to skip the Sky Walk segment, I would have. If you like such things, consider going (assuming there is a way to separate the two, which I doubt). read more

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If you drove all the way here, you gotta do it unless of course you live in a snowy area and see this kind of stuff on a regular basis. Sit on the right for views of glacier going up. But if you sit by one of the 2 windows marked Emergency Exit Only your window won't open. Once on the glacier, it's really slippery. I found that walking using short steps and not stopping help keep from slipping or sliding downward. It's 25 minutes on the ice if your bus driver is on time. It was 2 hours total time with skywalk although they say 2.5 hours is average. You can buy same day passes. We went 10:30 am and got 12 noon spots. But you'll pay a lot more. Like maybe double than if you planned in advance. Traffic was an issue for us because of construction adding more than an hour from banff. Canada parks pass are sold downstairs. read more

Columbia Icefields - Tours Near Me

Riding in the Ice Explorer was cool just because it's a unique experience. Being on the glacier was alright but you're limited to a flat area (for safety reasons). If you're the type that likes to explore you may be disappointed. The Skywalk was a nice viewpoint stop. The glass floor didn't bother me at all. The staff were all very nice and the process (tickets, boarding, etc) went smoothly. read more

"Glacier Walk" is a very interesting "thing to do" in Jasper National Park. The glacier looks so close and yet it is so far. I don't remember the name of the package that we got, but this is what happened/what we got, in summary: - We met at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Center - Boarded the shuttle/bus to cross the street to the foot of the glacier. - Boarded the "snow mobile" or "snow tank" or "snow bus" (I can't remember what it was called) to travel to the actual glacier, in this case, Athabasca Glacier which flows from the Columbia Icefield. - Time to walk on the glacier - Board the "snow mobile" to shuttle loading area. - Board the shuttle bus to return to the Discovery Center - Board another shuttle bus to go to the Skywalk. - Time to walk around the Skywalk. - Board return shuttle bus to return to the Discovery Center. It was GREAT! Highly recommend. Will definitely come back. Will try to come back before the glacier disappears entirely. read more

Touring Athabasca Glacier here at the Columbia Icefields was a fun experience. It's located right along famed Icefields Parkway about 200 kilometers north of Banff and about 100 kilometers south of Jasper. And taking the Athabasca Glacier Tour combined with getting time to stand on the Icefield Skywalk is the best, most popular way that visitors come to explore. I arrived a few weeks ago in the middle of June in late afternoon and went straight to the ticket office inside at the Glacier View Lodge and they had room for me on their last tour for the day at 5pm. Come to think, I probably should have just booked online ahead of time. All in...the tour lasts for almost 2.5 hours, with getting about 30 minutes to walk around Athabasca Glacier and 30 minutes to stand and walk around the Skywalk. In between these 2 primary highlights...you get transported from the Lodge to the Bus Station, then the Bus Station to the Glacier, the Glacier to the Skywalk, and finally the Skywalk returning back to the Lodge. It costs $100 - Canadian. But for the American citizens when you pay with credit card, it comes out to $77 - US. Overall, I think that's a good deal for such a popular attraction because in the end...everyone exploring the Canadian Rockies comes here to the Columbia Icefield and does this tour. For having the opportunity to stand on a glacier...it's all worth it! Upon getting to Athabasca Glacier...you ride on one of these massive snowmobiles that's a fun moment in its own right. Finally arriving on the glacier, I'd suggest taking a picture with this massive snowmobile. Lol, everyone was doing it. Also...I believe this is important. For my journey at 5pm...the sun was facing me when I was trying to take photos viewing Athabasca Glacier. And...I would much have preferred for the sun to be at my back. Lol, so as I always do...if you can take morning tours...I think that would be beneficial for all you picture guru enthusiasts out there. What I also really liked was my bus operator and guide onto the glacier. I forgot her name but she was incredibly friendly, cordial and was more than willing to take family photos for everyone. Don't hesitate to ask! In fact, I asked her to actually be in my picture with me and she happily obliged! Cool! I appreciated how laid back and nice she was. Of course the time walking on Athabasca Glacier went all too fast. This was an awesome feature they had in the middle of the glacier ...a giant Canadian Flag. You must take a picture with it. It's sort of symbolic for your experience and plus combined with the surroundings of the mountains and backdrop...its such a cool photo opp. After taking some pictures of the glacier...don't miss this flag!!! From here it's back to the Bus Station to ride in a regular Coach Bus to the Skywalk Observation Deck. For this experience...the bottom of the Skywalk floor was see-through! Yep, translucent! For those with a fear of heights, lol, don't look down! Still, the setting on the Skywalk was so calm and quiet for us being the last tour, I really didn't mind how high up we were. At least it wasn't windy, hehehe. Unfortunately for this vista point overlook, the overcast clouds came into play so I never really got picturesque views. Regardless, the attendant there at the Overlook happily took pictures for everyone as well. Then, finally, it was back to the Glacier Lodge. Some extras notes... If you decide not to do this Columbia Icefields Athabasca Glacier Tour, you can still cross the street and hike over to the "Toe" of the Glacier and capture scenic moments. I did this the following day after camping out nearby. And if you'd like to go further and closer up on Athabasca Glacier, then there's the Forefield Trail to take. They have a Starbucks inside the Glacier Lodge to warm up with coffee and have a snack. Though the wait in line was pretty long. After completing the Tour...I actually stayed inside the Glacier Lodge and had a terrific dinner at the restaurant called...Altitude. During summer times, it's open from 7pm - 9pm and has a buffet for $35 (Canadian). The food was delicious and was totally satisfying after a long day of driving and being out in the cold. This Altitude Restaurant was a great way to end my day. The Columbia Icefields here in the middle of Icefields Parkway was a wonderful stop along my journey from Banff to Jasper. I had seen pictures and reviews on the internet and I'm glad it was finally my time to come here and explore...especially since Canada (up to this point in 2022) had been very strict about their pandemic policies and opening up the border to Americans. So, I'd say, in the end, after a few years of waiting to come here...everything finally worked out! read more

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This glacier experience came as part of the Banff adventure package we purchased, which included four of the greatest things you can do in the park: the gondola, skywalk, boat tour, and this icefield adventure. If you only want to do one or two of these activities and not get the whole package, I'd definitely recommend doing the icefield adventure before any of the rest (it was definitely the coolest). We drove for about an hour from downtown Banff to meet at the Columbia Icefields. We hung out in the gift shop while waiting for our group timeslot to be called. We had forgotten to bring gloves and were able to purchase some in the shop before getting called up. Once you're time is called, you line up and load onto a coach bus, which drives you over to the icefield across the street, where you load onto an Ice Explorer, the only one of its kind outside of Alaska. This vehicle has some of the biggest tires you'll ever see, necessary for when it drives you down the steep sheets of ice. Our Ice Explorer driver gave us a lot of really interesting facts about the glacier, land and the vehicle. She was funny and answered everyone's questions. Once she drove down the first steep hill of ice, she stopped on the flat field so everyone could get out for 15-30 minutes or so to explore and take photos. We loved how they had flags from around the world stationed up here and it was fun to slip around the ice and see everyone taking photos with their home country's flag. Highly recommend! read more

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The Columbia Icefield Adventure tour includes a less than 2-3 minute drive on the ice and 20 minute timed stay on a roped off, approximately 800 square foot area of the glacier. There were approximately 100 other people there and at least 3 ice explorer vehicles at the same time when we visited for the "Columbia Icefield Adventure" tour. The entire setting resembled a busy downtown intersection rather than the "epic 2-3 hour adventure" advertised. The crowd, highly impacted terrain, and the less than 3 min time driving on the glacier are not described at all on Pursuit's website nor shown in the website photos. Most of the 2-3 hours is actually spent on road tour buses going to and from the POI's. When I provided this feedback to Pursuit, the feedback was, "Access to the glacier is limited to a designated area and time on the ice is carefully managed so all guests have the opportunity to enjoy it." However, the glacier is many square miles in size and there are many other ways to "enjoy it". The real reason for the "careful management" and lack of transparency about the tour physical and time limitations is likely to maximize visitor throughput, minimize the expense of the tour to Pursuit, and ultimately maximize profit. If we had known about the 3 min transit time and the less than 20 minute glacier visit time (this is only provided in the FAQ's but not in the tour description), we would have certainly looked into other options. This is unfortunate, as the glacier itself is amazing to visit and, as an alternative (physical limitations not withstanding), can be done for free by hiking less than 1 mile to the outflow (no walking on glacier) or through a professionally guided glacier hike (3 hours walking on glacier vs 20 min). In fact, a professionally guided 3 hour tour is 20% less expensive that the 20 minute glacier stay described above. In retrospect, we sincerely regret not having selected this option. read more

We did a quick stop here while driving the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper. I was turned off from the beginning because it was a zoo. We stopped at the discovery center and you couldn't move in there because it was so crowded. We got a few pictures from there and don't get me wrong, it's pretty, just way too crowded. The tour to see the glacier is outrageously expensive ($114). We've gone into an ice cave in Iceland for less, so we didn't really want to do this. We thought about doing the short hike to the toe of the glacier, but it was so crowded over there we decided not to. This was the most underwhelming thing on the parkway to me. I wouldn't bother stopping again, but I'm also really turned off by large crowds of tourists. read more

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Everything at this place was excellent. Simon who drive the monster bus and Eathen who drove the regular bus were very helpful full people. Both of them were very knowledgeable and known the facts about the place. Thank You!! read more

If you're going to splurge on one thing while in the Canadian Rockies, this is it!! Walking on the Icefield and taking the Ice Explorer, a specially designed vehicle for this terrain, was such a cool and special experience. It was definitely one of the top three things we did while in the area! Sure, you can SEE the Icefield, which is located at the foot of Athabasca Glacier from the road (Icefield Parkway), but actually trekking through, FEELING the chill of the wind, seeing the ice glisten and riding in one of these badass trucks is a whole different immersive experience. One I say, is not to be missed! There are only 25 of these trucks in the entire world, and each tire cost $4,000! It's kinda a once in a lifetime thing to ride one. You can purchase tickets at the center directly across from the field. This is the ONLY way to gain access to the field, by taking one of the tours. There's a combo ticket for this and the skywalk. Transportation to both is included. I would say get to the center as soon as they open as it is a very popular attraction! Also, don't miss having a cup of coffee or hot cocoa on the roof while overlooking the glacier while you wait for your allotted tour time. Your truck driver will give you an in depth lesson about the area and who first found it while you drive up to the field. He'll also point out various markers with dates so you can see just how quickly the glacier has been receding. It's soooo mind-blowing and actually pretty sad. Once down the steep, steep hill, you'll disembark the truck and be able to explore of your own for roughly a half hour, which is really plenty of time. Trust me, I take a ton of photos and it was adequate time for plenty, and for a snowball fight or two and some angel making :) There are flags of various countries for photo ops and your driver, or at least ours, was willing to take our photo by the trucks. Please be very careful where you step! There are flags indicating where there are crater and crevasses!! Some crevasses are as deep down as the length of a football field. It's not unusual for tourists to fall and need recuse if they're not paying attention! It's about 20 degrees cooler on the glacier, so be sure to bring layers. Also, in case you didn't know, your phone may for or drain battery very quickly in this type of environment, so make sure to be fully charged or bring a back up charger for your trip! Taste some glacial water right from the source by grabbing some ice off the untouched parts of the field! So cool...literally! There was already a nice snowfall when we visited in early October. Wearing my insulated hiking boots was definitely a good idea, although I only wore a thin pair of gloves and I was fine. Remember which bus is your, they all look the same. You'll visit here first, and then board a regular bus to head to the skywalk afterwards! Make sure you hit up the restrooms. There are obviously non here on the Icefield come but there's also none at the skywalk either. Allot about 4 hours for the entire excursion! Worth it!! read more

Review is for the Columbia Glacier Discovery Center, not the tours. This is a good rest stop if you're driving from Banff to Jasper. Everybody else agrees since the parking lot is full of tour busses and cars and inside feels crowded like an airport! You have the option of booking a bus tour that takes you up a nearby glacier, or to pay to walk on the Glacier Skybridge which is sorta cool. We didn't do either of these since we're already surrounded by beauty and we've been spoiled from an Alaska Cruise where helicopter took us onto a glacier for dog sledding! The wow factor for the bus tour just wasn't there for us. The cafeteria serves some average Chinese food at inflated prices, while the dining room offered a Chinese lunch buffet with limited selection - wonder if they're the same owner. The positives for the center: big restrooms, lots of scenery for photos (though virtually the entire drive from Banff to Jasper also qualifies), and a pretty nifty museum in the basement showing a brief history of Canadian provinces. read more

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Columbia Icefield is glacier is the biggest glacier in Canadian Rockies. What is a glacier? The snow fall on this ice and melt at the summer. At snow get thicker, it get compact below and become glacier. As it get heavy, it start to move and become the glacier river. Athabasca Glacier is one part glacier river from the Columbia Icefield on the move. It flow toward the Icefield road below. You can see the Mother Nature of the ice river is getting shorter due to global warming. If you are there, do not step on the glacier without the proper guide. You may step on ice hole and falls into the ice crack below the surface. At the bottom of the Athabasca Glacier is the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre. The Centre provide a very good view of the glacier river. You also can purchase the ticket for the tour on the glacier. They will transport you to the outpost and take special ice explorer vehicle travel on the ice. It is an amazing ride that this vehicle can travel on 45 degrees slope. They will take you to the beginning of the river and let you walk on the glacier for 30 minutes. The view is spectacular. You can see many ice crack with glowing blue color. The glacier is amazing that each surface has it own statue. I would said if you visit the Jasper National Park, this is must see point of interest. There is a story if you drink the melted water, you will get younger. However, after I drink, I feel older as next day :) read more

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The glacier experience specifically Columbia Icefield Skywalk was included as a part of the Banff adventure package - Banff/Sulphur Mountain gondola ride, Malign Lake boat tour and Skywalk. Please ensure to head to the Columbia Icefield Centre to take the bus/coach to the Skywalk. (I learnt the hard way as I drove straight to the skywalk only to find out there was nowhere to park along the highway near the skywalk. I called the customer service and found out that I was meant to take the coach from the Columbia Icefield Centre.) The staff were friendly and accommodating when I missed the coach by 5 minutes for the time I booked. They allowed me to go on the next coach. Although I dropped my heart during the first three steps on the skywalk's glass-bottomed floor, the view was amazing. (I highly recommend to those who want to overcome their fear of height!!!) It was a nice sunny day. I couldn't help but be amazed at both the view and the people especially the engineers who make the glass-floored structure and walk possible at a very high cliff. Also spotting two mountain goats closeby is very memorable. The male staff helped my family take really great pictures. The female staff also shared many interesting stories about wildlife in the area and about her If you're the staff working at the skywalk (and the centre) on Oct 1, 2020 between 11:30-1:30pm, THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH for making the experience very memorable. My family really needed this and the trip as it was the only family trip for the year. The trip was the best thing that happened. We felt fortunate to be able to see the amazing Alberta and the Rockies. We're grateful for your service and all the health and safety guidelines and practices including the constant sanitation. read more

Better see it while it lasts. A sunny day is best. Bring an empty water bottle to fill with icy glacier water. Bring snacks because the transfer station is pretty grim for food. read more

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Beautiful glaciers, wonderful scenery, and yes a discovery centre with lots of washrooms, food, parking and more at which to stop and enjoy an interpretive centre and other adventures when driving through this area? Yes please! I've visited here at least 3 times in my life that I can remember (and maybe more when I was younger) and each time, I've really appreciated all that can be offered by viewing the Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefields, the information available here and more. Of course remembering to bring appropriately warm garb is a must when visiting here (unless you wanted to buy it all at the gift shop! ;) ). The glacier is really wonderful to see! Book online to avoid some of the crowds and arrive early (before 11am on a busy summer weekend for example) so as to find easy parking and avoid the crowds but otherwise enjoy the attractions that are here. Stay safe (don't go out on the ice without appropriate equipment and a guide or on a tour or appropriate training!), and have fun! There's something here for everyone! read more

The skywalk was very fun. I will admit it was kind of scary at first, but then it was fun. Tai, our tour guide was amazing.

Where is must to go, a life time experience! I enjoyed, we went there in Aug, which is so cold on there, bring thick jacket, and bring empty bottles to get ice cold water when your on the glacier. I recommended you to book early online, here in s the online website address to book: https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/attractions/glacier-adventure/ , I waited until last minute, when I got there the tickets for ice explorer is out till 3:30pm, I had to wait there almost 3 hours. Kind of mess up my trip plan , so plan early ! read more

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Check online for tickets, you may save money! I ordered tickets for my family a month or so in advance and saved either 10 or 15%! The discovery center is great - stores, information area, and downstairs they have a bunch of the history along with a free movie. We arrived to the center almost 45 minutes earlier than our time, we went in and asked if we could change to an earlier and they accommodated us right away. The line starts in door but eventually leads you outside where you have to wait for a little longer. You hop on the bus, which is a short 5 minute drive to where the snow explorer mobile things are. Once you board that, there's a longer drive, as it does move slower, to the glacier! Our driver was great, giving us many facts about the mobile, about driving, about the history, and the on-goings of the glacier. I wish I remembered her name, I just remember she was from Nova Scotia. I loved that she reminded everyone not to litter, so that we can preserve the beauty we see! We also filled our water bottles up with glacier water to drink - it was SO refreshing! With out tickets, we were also able to go out onto the sky walk. It was great being able to read about all the wildlife and also how they built the sky walk on the way to the glass floor. If you're scared of heights, I wouldn't recommend purchasing this part of the ticket. It's definitely thrilling! On the way back to the center, there was a small herd of goats strolling in the road in front of us, which was exciting to see! read more

It is a good in between point for a drive between Banff and Jasper since it is a little over 2 hours north of Banff and 1 1/2 hours south of Jasper. It is impossible to miss the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre since it is a large building right on the IceFields Parkway. From the Centre parking lot or the highway, you can see the Athabasca Glacier up on the mountain. As such, it is classified as an ice field since it resides up in a mountain range. You can buy tickets for the all-terrain Ice Explorer, a vehicle built for driving on to the glacier, to walk on the glacier and get an up close view of the wall of ice near the top of the mountain. It is not cheap at $109 (10% off if you book more than 48 hours in advance). Is it worth it? It is certainly a bucket list item to ride up an ice field on an Ice Explorer then stand on a sheet of ice on a glacier. On the other hand, I had already been on an Alaska cruise. Our ship sailed into a bay and right up to a large glacier basin. I could see the long glacier wall that met the ocean and the top of the large land mass behind it. Our ship made 360 spins so guests could enjoy the moment. I also went on a shore excursion to the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau. The Glacier carves through the heart of mountains and empties into a big river. Accordingly, you have a view of the glacier, the mountains on each side, and a river. The Athabasca Glacier is not nearly as spectacular as either of those two because there is not as much to see. Once the Ice Explorer reaches the top of the glacier, you are staring at the wall of ice and cannot see anything behind it. The tour starts from the Discovery Centre. You take a bus for 5 minutes and arrive at one of the Ice Explorers. It is a 20-25 minute ride up the ice field to where it drops you off at a sectioned off area of the glacier. From there, you get to stand on top of the ice field. You also have a good view of the wall of ice at the top of the mountain that connects to the rest of the glacier. In addition, you get excellent views looking back down the ice field and at the surrounding Sir Winston Churchill mountain range. You get about half an hour to walk around the ice and look at the ice wall. Remember that you are walking on ice so it will be slippery. Try to walk on the parts that look like shaved ice. Those spots have the best traction. In the end, I definitely enjoyed the experience. I am glad I did it. However, it is probably something I would only do once. I would do another Alaska cruise to venture into another glacier bay in a second. Of course, I am probably just glacier spoiled. The Athabasca Glacier is definitely much more exciting for anyone who has not seen it yet. If you want a little more physical activity at the Athabasca Glacier, there are 3-6 hour ice walks up it. After the Ice Explorer brings you back down the glacier, a bus will take you to the Skywalk. It is approximately 10 minutes north on the TransCanada Highway. In my opinion, you get similar views just driving on the highway. I had assumed the Skywalk was up at the mountain tops but it is only built off of the side of the highway. The only differentiator is the Skywalk provides a see through glass floor so it makes you feel like you are floating above the valley and the river below. It is already included in the fee for the Ice Explorer. Accordingly, you should definitely experience the Skywalk to get your money's worth. However, I would not pay $31 just for the Skywalk and not do the Ice Explorer. In total, it took 2 hours to leave for the Glacier and Skywalk and return to the Discovery Centre. Although there is a 10% discount for booking 48 hours in advance, I would not advise doing so. Visibility will be critical in your overall experience. I initially planned to do the Ice Explorer on my drive north to Jasper from Calgary. However, it was raining hard that day. When I looked up at the ice field from the Centre's parking lot, it was mostly covered by clouds. Consequently, I am glad I did not commit myself in advance to walking around in a cloud and not seeing much. Accordingly, I returned to the Glacier on my drive down to Banff after Jasper. Ideally, I would have been on the Ice Explorer when it was partly cloudy. However, cloudy with a low chance of precipitation was solid conditions. If you are visiting the Canadian Rockies and looking for recommendations, feel free to message me through Yelp and I can share my itinerary/ recommendations, which includes my Yelp reviews. The information for an electronic copy can also be found via my Yelp profile. read more

Love this place! You have to come here if you visit either Banff or Jasper national park. The bus takes you to an all terrain vehicle which takes you all the way on the glacier. There are many picture opportunities and I love the fact they added country flags on the glacier. read more

The Columbia Icefield Discovery Center is a massive, well organized high cryied capacity operation. We did the glacier tour and skywalk. All bus drivers were pleasant. Big shout out to our glacier driver Andrew. Hope his boss sees this and gives him a raise! He was knowledgeable and witty and brought alive a wide range of information about glaciers. The center is organized to take care if visitors needs but can feel a bit crowded. One burger, drink and side was $30! read more

Columbia Icefields is one of the tourism highlights of Highway 93 to Jasper. Its presence cannot be missed! As you drive up the parking lot up to the hiking area, markers guide you to the tongue of the glacier with the year printed on them. Visitors can see over years how much of the glacier has melted and receded. We hiked to the tongue of the glacier which is a steady incline and takes about 15-20 minutes. Along the way, there is information about the glaciers, and plenty of warnings to deter tourists from going into the glaciers unguided. It goes as far as to say that the last three rescue attempts were unsuccessful. Short story: take the tour if you are drawn to hike on the glacier, because the crevaces are deadly. There are plenty of tours that will keep you safe. The sheer size and volumes of ice are a must-see. I have never taken the tour, but never miss stopping to enjoy being close to fhe glacier. read more

This is a first-hand experience to try fresh glacier water; we enjoyed some in cups that we brought. Some of this ice is 10,000 years old !! To reach the glacier you are first loaded up in regular busses which take you to a transfer location just below the glacier. From there you are loaded onto six wheel glacier busses which are specifically designed for the extreme terrain. This was a super cold place that snowed the entire time we were there in late July !!! read more

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Amazing! Living on the East Coast of the US, I don't get to see very many glaciers. Luckily, my husband is from the great white north, so we got to take a little side trip to Jasper while visiting his family. Saying that you've traversed a glacier is pretty cool. Well, I guess traverse is a little misleading (they section off the "safe area" with cones) but it was still exciting. The drive up to the glacier on the Ice Explorer vehicle is pretty wild. The tires on the thing were taller than me. Be sure to bring a water bottle because the melting water flowing off the glacier is some of the tastiest and cleanest water you'll ever drink. We did not have a water bottle so we drank out the cover of my husband's asthma inhaler. Ridiculous, but I wasn't going to miss my chance to taste it! The glacier has shrunk in size, but it still appeared pretty damn big to me. The driver made sure to let us know that it started to shrink *before* the Industrial Age. So there, all you global warming, climate change fanatics! (I jest. Really.) My husband did step through some shallow ice and was up to his knees in freezing cold water even in the designated area, so watch your step! read more

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Avoid the Crowds & Arrive Before They Open at 9am. $50 is a lot but this is such a unique experience I figured it was worth it for the 80 minute drive out onto the glacier. The Ice bus itself was fun esp. going down a 30% grade. Get here early - we were the only group on the glacier. Later in the day there could be six or more buses out there. If I ever come back I'd try the walking tour on the glacier. August 2014 read more

Columbia Icefields is one of the largest glaciers to be found In Canada, it located on Highway 93 between Banff and Jasper, about 5 minutes from The Saskatchewan River Crossing. As you drive you start seeing the glacier but you can get closer, with Brewster Co. They take you up to the top and talk to you about the history and facts out this ever so melting glacier. Yes you are in Alberta and you can expect all weather conditions within days but on the Columbia icefields you can expect ALL weather conditions within hours and seconds from each other. The glacier and crevaces are a must see. read more

We really enjoyed the glacier experience. All of our drivers were interesting and entertaining. The time on the glacier was just about the right length. The check in process was smooth and the whole experience is well organized. I wouldn't pay for the skywalk by itself but it was a nice dessert for the glacier main course. read more

After you arrive at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Center (from the Icefields Parkway - Highway 93), you can park your car in the parking lot. Be prepared for parking lot congestion because this is a popular attraction during the tourist season. You can purchase a glacier adventure ticket ($80.00/adult) in the Discovery Center. Then, you will queue up to board a bus that will transport you to the boarding area for the all-terrain Ice Explorer vehicles. The Ice Explorer vehicles are huge and will seat many people. The Ice Explorer vehicle will slowly move (it feels really slow, as if it is creeping) onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier. When the vehicle finally stops, you can exit, and look around the glacier for about 15 minutes. The glacier is pearly white, icy, slippery, and slushy in some places - so walk carefully - especially if you're walking on the slippery ice. It was windy when I visited and cold. So, I wore a light winter parka and wore hiking boots. Bring your camera for some good photos. Take an empty bottle of water with you and fill it with some of the freshly melted glacier water - it is cold and very refreshing. read more

I visited this site July 5, 2016, it was not a great experience because of mechanical stutdown. The customer service people were fine but there didn't seem to be a process to refund in this situation. It was not something I could come back and do within a year given I and most people do not live around the corner. They did end up refunding our money after launching a formal complaint. read more

On our recent vacation to see the Canadian Rockies, we bought tickets for the Glaciers tour which includes Glaciers and the Skywalk. Good thing is a child under 5 is not charged. The 2.5 hour tour itself is very, very good... I mean the quality of service, from tour guide, the comfort of their shuttle service, and ultimately the experience of seeing the icy glaciers up close is very cool. My kids enjoyed a lot too. I would wholeheartedly recommend this tour to anybody staying or driving down to Jasper. read more

Ice Glacier walking is AWESOME! Tour drivers are funny and acknowledgeable. Skywalk is only just ok. read more

Columbia Icefields - Tours Near Me

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What are the chances that you'll ride on a 55,000lb bus? A bus known as an Ice Explorer that will handle extreme conditions like a military tank. With its super big tires, super tall and wide stance, this bus has major presence. The fun part about going to the Columbia Glacier is the ride to the glacier. You'll have to go up this super steep hill that feels like an 70 degree angle in icy and snowy conditions. Try doing that with a Hummer! It ain't gonna happen! Once you arrive to the Columbia Icefield Glacier, make sure to try the water on the ground. There will be small streams and mini ponds where the freshest tasting water will await your tastebuds. Take out your hand and scoop some water into your mouth. I swear, the water on the glacier taste thousands of times better than BC tap water. It's almost like drinking water what GOD intended for us to drink. The water on these glaciers is HEAVENLY... Once your own the glacier, have fun walking around, take photos, enjoy the insanely fresh air, and remember to take some empty water bottles so you can bottle the best tasting water ever! Listen up, people of all ages, this is an amazing once in a lifetime experience. I'm just surprised that two born and raised in Alberta residents (Calgary and Lethbridge) never been on Columbia Icefiend Glacier. Sure, it's expensive (49 dollars for adults and 24 dollars for children), but it's really worth it. Bragging rights worth it. read more

Had a perfect trip with Phil as my guide! I really enjoyed his enthusiasm and entertaining persona. His boss should let him wear his funny hat while driving - it just adds more to the fun. I also really enjoyed the steep downwards slope - a lot of the passengers were freaked out by it but I found it super exciting. read more

We purchased a combo pass from Brewster Canada for Lake Maligne, Ice explorer, Skywalk and Banff Gondola. Totally worth it, as not only do you get discount but you can also skip the purchase lines (can be 30min long on a nice day). Brewster Canada sites are very well managed and professional. They let you change your reservation for free as long as there is availability. They also re-book you on the next available excursion if you miss one due to traffic or weather. This pass is great as it also kind of builds your activity itinerary for you on 4 days of your trip. 1. Ice Explorer I have done the Glacier plane landing at Talkeetna, Alaska and Ice Explorer is second only to that. They take you right up to the glacier and on it. It is so much fine to ride the million dollar military 6WD trucks, and even more fascinating to see an almost all female staff completely running the operations. The Red buses with the Canada maple leaf on it, makes for an iconic photo. Drinking melting glacier water also makes a once in a lifetime experience. 2. Banff Gandola the Gondola is a modern marvel. The speed, accurace and safely with which it takes thousands of tourist up and down every day, is fascinating. Sulphur Mountain has a great view of the valley. We were lucky to go during the CA 150 year and click some extra special photos. Very enjoyable experience up there on the mountain. Facilities are clean, well managed, free wifi (works great) and friendly staff. read more

This was my absolute highlight of our time in Banff and Jasper. The guides were great and personable. Filling my water bottle with glacier water was so cool, almost froze my hand off! I would so do this again if we were up here again. read more

The ice field has recessed way back. Don't spend 80CDN to go out on the ice. One can park across from the center and walk up to the ice I believe, I didn't. I tried not to have a high expectation since I have been inside a ice glacier in the Alps. It was sad because they had the heavy equipment out on the ice when it was raining lightly destroying the ice more. In time it will not be there - and no it's not global warming, just evolution - people just helping it along! Visited September 2016 read more

You must arrive and line up long before the departure- plan to be in line 30 minutes or more. We arrived 10 minutes prior to our reservations and were told the bus left already. So a 3 PM bus leaves around 2:45.. not sure why they call it a 3PM bus. We got screwed!!! They kindly offered us passage 2 hours later - really? If a reservation has no meaning why would I believe it will work on a later bus? Avoid - Scam read more