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Explore the stunning icefalls, deep crevasses, and towering seracs of the Athabasca Glacier alongside ACMG-certified guides. Choose from a 5km half-day trek or a 10km full-day expedition, with all necessary winter gear and micro-spikes provided for a safe journey.
Free Cancellation Hike 5km across the Athabasca Glacier with ACMG guides to see deep crevasses and ice waterfalls.
Free Cancellation Hike 10km across the Athabasca Glacier to the icefall and eat lunch among towering ice seracs.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Columbia Icefield — from practical tips to personal highlights.
The Athabasca Glacier sits right off the Icefields Parkway, making it one of the most accessible glaciers in North America. You step directly onto ice that is thousands of years old. Most visitors ride a massive Ice Explorer to a safe walking zone, while others strap on crampons for a guided three- or six-hour hike.
These six-wheel vehicles drive down a steep moraine directly onto the glacier. Only 23 exist in the world.
You get 15 to 25 minutes of free time on the standard bus tour. The surface is slick, wet, and uneven.
Bring an empty bottle. You can fill it straight from the meltwater streams running across the ice.
A glass-floored platform hangs 280 metres over the Sunwapta Valley. It sits a short bus ride from the glacier.
Hikers on the six-hour trek reach the upper icefall. Here, massive pillars of ice stand vertically.
Mountain goats and bighorn sheep often hang around the cliffs near the Skywalk. Keep an eye on the ridges.
You have two distinct ways to get on the ice. Pick the standard bus tour for ease, or book a guided hike to escape the crowds.
The Columbia Icefield Adventure uses large buses and keeps you in a roped-off zone. IceWalks runs small-group, 5km or 10km hikes with ACMG-certified guides.
Every adult needs a Parks Canada pass for Jasper National Park. This costs $12.25 CAD per day and is separate from your tour ticket.
Reserve tickets at least two weeks out. July and August sell out fast, and prices for the standard bus tour rise closer to your date.
The standard tour requires short walks and navigating bus stairs. The guided hikes require moderate fitness to cover rocky moraines and slick ice over three to six hours.
The glacier is about 15°C colder than the parking lot. Wear warm layers and hiking boots. IceWalks provides micro-spikes and rain gear if you need them.
Kids five and under ride the Ice Explorer for free. The strenuous guided hikes have strict minimum age limits.
IceWalks tours offer a full refund if canceled 24 hours before departure. Standard bus tours have different operator policies.
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| Standard Ice Explorer | Half-Day Hike | Full-Day Hike | Banff Day Trip | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2.5-3 hours | 3 hours | 6 hours | 10-11 hours |
| Best for | Families & casual visitors | Active travelers | Hikers | Visitors without cars |
| Included | Ice bus ride & Skywalk access | Crampons & 5km guided walk | 10km trek to the icefall | Round-trip transport & Ice Explorer |
| Price from | ~$109 CAD | ~$102 USD | ~$153 USD | ~$360 CAD |
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The Columbia Icefield Adventure and Skywalk operate seasonally from May 1 to October 12, 2026. The site closes entirely during the winter months.
Daily operating hours shift throughout the season. From May 1 to June 14, tours run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the peak summer window of June 15 to September 30, hours expand from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In October, operations scale back to 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weather at this elevation can force sudden closures, so check the official site the morning of your visit.
The Glacier Discovery Centre sits directly on the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93N) at Sunwapta Pass. You need a car or a guided bus tour to reach it.
From Banff, the drive takes about 2.5 hours. You travel 55 km west to Lake Louise, then 125 km north on the Parkway. From Jasper, the drive is shorter. Head south for 108 km, which takes roughly an hour.
Fill your gas tank before leaving Lake Louise or Jasper. The Parkway has long stretches without fuel stations or cell service.
Mid-June to mid-September is the prime window. The roadside snow has cleared and all tours operate at full capacity. July and August bring the warmest weather, with highs around 17°C at the visitor centre.
These summer months also bring the heaviest crowds. Book a tour departure after 3:30 p.m. to receive a 20% discount on the standard Columbia Icefield Adventure tickets.
Skip the shoulder months of May and October if you have a tight schedule. Snow can fall at any time at 2,035 metres elevation, frequently delaying or canceling tours.
The Columbia Icefield Adventure accommodates wheelchair users. Two Ice Explorers feature wheelchair lifts to bring guests onto the glacier. You must call 72 hours in advance to book these specific vehicles.
The Skywalk is fully accessible. Its 800-metre paved loop is flat and wide enough for wheelchairs, strollers, and walkers.
Reaching the Discovery Centre from the lower parking lot requires climbing 75 stairs. Use the alternate ramp pathway to the left, or park in the upper accessible lot using the code provided when you book.
The Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre serves as the main hub. It houses ticket counters, interpretive exhibits about the icefield, dining options, and public washrooms.
Use the washrooms before your tour departs. There are no facilities on the Athabasca Glacier or at the Skywalk.
The Glacier View Lodge operates on-site. It is the only accommodation located directly at the icefield, offering early access to the area before day-trippers arrive.
Stay within the marked, roped-off safety zones on the glacier. Hidden crevasses sit just beyond these boundaries. Several fatal falls have occurred when visitors ignored the ropes.
Pets are not allowed on the Ice Explorer, the Skywalk, or the guided hikes. Only accredited service dogs are permitted under the Alberta Service Dogs Act.
Drones are strictly prohibited. You cannot fly a drone anywhere in Jasper National Park without a specific commercial permit from Parks Canada.
Walking unguided beyond the marked tourist area is dangerous because of hidden crevasses. Fatal incidents have occurred. The safe way to walk on the ice is via the Ice Explorer bus or a guided hike with an outfitter like IceWalks.
Half-day guided hikes run about $102 USD. The longer six-hour trek costs around $153 USD. The standard Ice Explorer bus tour starts at $109 CAD for adults.
No. The hiking guides provide micro-spikes for traction on the ice. They also loan out rain gear, boots, and gloves if you need them.
The combined Ice Explorer bus ride and Skywalk takes 2.5 to 3 hours round-trip. You get 15 to 25 minutes actually standing on the glacier.
No. The guided hikes focus entirely on walking the glacier. You must buy Skywalk tickets separately if you want to do both.
Expect temperatures on the ice to be 15°C colder than at the visitor centre. Wind blowing down the valley makes it feel even colder, so wear warm layers.
There are no washrooms on the glacier, the Ice Explorer buses, or the Skywalk. Use the facilities at the Glacier Discovery Centre before your tour begins.
Children can ride the Ice Explorer, and kids five and under ride free. The guided hikes require moderate physical fitness and have strict minimum age limits.
Yes. The Columbia Icefield sits inside Jasper National Park. Every adult needs a Parks Canada day pass, which costs $12.25 CAD.
Tours run in the rain. Guides provide waterproof gear for the hikes. Operations only stop for severe weather like lightning, blizzards, or extreme winds.
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ACMG-certified guides lead this 5km hike across the lower Athabasca Glacier. You'll walk past deep crevasses and waterfalls that drain into the ice. Guides explain how the glacier carved the valley. This path stays close to the icefall and peaks. Expect rocky, uneven ground. Tours depart daily at 9:45 AM and 2:00 PM. Arrive 20 minutes early for boarding, as the group leaves on time. Steep sections require enough fitness for a 5km trek on rough ground. Families are welcome if children can handle that distance. Bring your own snacks and warm layers; the guides provide the specialized gear. Wear thick socks.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This 10km hike covers the full length of the Athabasca Glacier, reaching the icefall at the head of the valley. You’ll eat lunch among the seracs—massive pillars of ice standing on end—at the furthest point of the trek. IceWalks' ACMG-certified guides lead the group, pointing out hidden crevasses and explaining how the glacier moves. It's cold and exposed. The tour departs at 10:15 AM. Arrive 20 minutes early to gear up, as the group leaves on time and won't wait for latecomers. You’ll need the stamina for five hours on uneven, frozen ground with several short, steep sections. Bring your own lunch and plenty of warm layers. The company provides the crampons and other necessary gear. It's a solid choice for active families, but skip it if you aren't comfortable on your feet for half a day.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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