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The Columbia Icefield straddles the Continental Divide between Banff and Jasper National Parks. Most visitors arrive by driving the 232-km Icefields Parkway to the Glacier Discovery Centre at Sunwapta Pass.
Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre, Icefields Parkway (Highway 93N), Sunwapta Pass, Jasper National Park, Alberta
Take the Trans-Canada Highway west for 55 kilometres to Lake Louise. From there, merge north onto the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93N) for another 125 kilometres. This 180-kilometre route ends directly at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre. Fill your gas tank in Banff or Lake Louise before starting the parkway stretch. There are no fuel stations along this remote mountain road. You need a Parks Canada pass to drive this route, which costs CA $12.25 per day for adults. Youth 17 and under enter free. Condé Nast Traveler rates this specific stretch as one of the world's best drives.
This is the shortest access route to the icefield. Drive south from the Jasper townsite on the Icefields Parkway for 108 kilometres. The road leads straight to the Glacier Discovery Centre at Sunwapta Pass. Gas up in Jasper before leaving town, as you will not find fuel or services along the way. You pass Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls on this approach. Expect sudden weather shifts as you climb toward the 2,035-metre pass. Snow can fall here even in July or August.
Operators like Discover Banff Tours and Pursuit's Brewster Sightseeing run full-day trips from May through October. These buses leave Banff or Calgary around 8:00 a.m. The CA $360 price includes round-trip transport, a guide, and admission tickets for both the Columbia Icefield Adventure and the Skywalk. You cover 180 to 280 kilometres each way. It is a massive 10-to-11-hour day. But it eliminates the need to navigate the remote parkway or hunt for parking at the busy Discovery Centre. That makes it a solid choice for travelers who prefer to look out the window rather than watch the road.
Start near the Lake Louise village and head north on Highway 93N. The 125-kilometre drive takes up to two hours. You pass Bow Lake at the foot of Crowfoot Glacier, then the turquoise waters of Peyto Lake at Bow Summit. The road climbs steadily toward the Continental Divide. Make sure your tank is full before leaving. The route is isolated, with zero gas stations between the village and the icefield. Roadside snow can linger into mid-June, and the route is prone to avalanche risk and closures between November and April.
Park at the Glacier Discovery Centre's lower lot, arriving at least 30 minutes before your scheduled tour. Reaching the building from here requires climbing 75 stairs, though an alternate ramp pathway sits to the left. Accessible parking is located in the upper lot, accessed via a code provided when booking.
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| From | Mode | Time | Cost | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banff | Car | 2 hours 30 minutes | Fuel plus $12.25 CAD Parks Canada day pass | Take Highway 1 west for 55 km to Lake Louise, then head north on the Icefields Parkway for the remaining 125 km. |
| Jasper townsite | Car | About 1 hour | Fuel plus $12.25 CAD Parks Canada day pass | This is the shortest route. Drive 108 km south directly down the Icefields Parkway. |
| Calgary or Banff | Guided tour bus | 10 to 11 hours round trip | From CA $360 per person | Tours leave around 8:00 a.m. The price covers round-trip transport, a guide, and admission to both the Ice Explorer and Skywalk. |
| Lake Louise | Car | 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours | Fuel plus $12.25 CAD Parks Canada day pass | Fill your gas tank before leaving. The 125-km drive north on Highway 93N has long stretches without fuel. |
Schedule your Columbia Icefield Adventure after 3:30 p.m. to cut your ticket cost by 20 percent. You need to book at least two weeks out anyway, since July and August walk-up spots are rare and prices climb as the date approaches.
Get to the Glacier Discovery Centre 30 minutes before your scheduled departure. There are zero washrooms on the Athabasca Glacier or the Skywalk. You'll need that buffer to park, use the facilities, and check in 15 minutes before the bus leaves.
The ice surface runs 15°C colder than the parking lot. Wear warm layers and flat, closed-toe shoes with solid tread, like hiking boots or sneakers. Bring an empty water bottle to fill straight from the glacial meltwater streams.
You need a Parks Canada pass just to drive the Icefields Parkway and reach the centre. Adult day passes cost $12.25 and are completely separate from your glacier tour tickets. Pick one up at the park gates or online before you drive.
The Icefields Parkway is a remote mountain highway with long stretches lacking fuel or services. Top off your tank in Lake Louise or Jasper before you start driving. If you travel in May or October, check road conditions for unexpected snow closures.
Expect about two and a half hours for the 180-kilometer trip. You'll drive 55 kilometers west on the Trans-Canada Highway to Lake Louise, then head north on the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93N) for the last 125 kilometers.
The icefield sits 108 kilometers south of the Jasper townsite. The drive takes roughly an hour straight down the Icefields Parkway. This is the shortest access route to the Discovery Centre.
Yes, driving the Icefields Parkway requires a valid Parks Canada pass because the route runs through Jasper National Park. An adult day pass costs $12.25 CAD, while youth 17 and under enter free. You can buy these at park gates, information centres, or online.
The Icefields Parkway is a remote mountain highway with long stretches lacking fuel or services. Fill your gas tank in Lake Louise or Jasper before starting the drive.
Guided tour operators like Discover Banff Tours and Brewster Sightseeing run full-day bus trips from both cities between May and October. These 10- to 11-hour round trips start around $360 CAD per person. That price covers transport, a guide, and admission to the glacier and Skywalk.
Visitors park at the Glacier Discovery Centre at Sunwapta Pass. The main lower lot requires climbing 75 stairs to reach the building, though an alternate ramp pathway is available on the left. Wheelchair-accessible parking sits in the upper lot and requires a code provided at booking.
Plan to arrive at the Glacier Discovery Centre at least 30 minutes before your departure time. This gives you enough time to find parking and use the washroom, since there are no facilities on the glacier itself. Operators require you to check in no later than 15 minutes before the tour starts.
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