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Depart from Calgary on a full-day journey along the scenic Icefields Parkway to the massive Columbia Icefield. These guided trips typically feature stops at stunning turquoise waters like Peyto Lake and Bow Lake, with options to ride a massive Ice Explorer vehicle directly onto the Athabasca Glacier.
Free Cancellation Visit Peyto Lake, Crowfoot Glacier, and the Columbia Icefield on a full-day guided trip from Calgary, Banff, or Canmore.
Free Cancellation Ride an Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier and stop for dinner in Banff on this day trip from Calgary.
Free Cancellation Visit the Columbia Icefield and the blue waters of Peyto and Bow Lakes on this 12-passenger mountain tour.
Visit the Columbia Icefield, Peyto Lake, and Bow Lake on a day trip through Banff and Jasper National Parks.
Free Cancellation Drive the Icefields Parkway to the Athabasca Glacier and Peyto Lake with an optional ride on the ice.
Free Cancellation See the Columbia Icefield and Peyto Lake on this full-day tour from Calgary, Canmore, or Banff.
Free Cancellation Walk on the largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies and view alpine valleys from the glass-floored Skywalk.
Free Cancellation Visit Peyto Lake and the Icefields Parkway on a full-day tour from Calgary, Canmore, or Banff.
Free Cancellation This day trip from Calgary includes a snowcoach ride onto Athabasca Glacier and a glass-floored walk over Sunwapta Canyon.
Free Cancellation This shuttle stops at the Columbia Icefield, the teardrop-shaped Peyto Lake, and the three-toed Crowfoot Glacier.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Columbia Icefield — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Tours from Calgary to the Columbia Icefield involve a full day of driving along the Icefields Parkway, covering over 400 kilometers round-trip. You spend hours in a van or bus, stopping at glacier-fed lakes before reaching Sunwapta Pass to walk on the Athabasca Glacier. It is a long day, but the route passes some of the highest peaks and largest ice masses in the Canadian Rockies.
Board a massive six-wheeled vehicle built specifically for glacier travel. The bus descends a steep moraine slope and drives directly onto the 10,000-year-old Athabasca Glacier.
Step off the vehicle and spend 15 to 25 minutes walking on the glacier surface. The ice is slick and uneven, and temperatures drop about 15°C compared to the visitor center.
Walk onto a glass-floored platform suspended 280 meters above the Sunwapta Valley. The 1-kilometer trail leading to it features interpretive displays and frequent bighorn sheep sightings.
Stop at Bow Summit to look down at this brightly colored, glacially fed lake. Its distinct teardrop shape makes it a quick, high-yield photo stop.
Walk along the windy shoreline of Bow Lake at the base of the Waputik Range. Above the water, you can see the remaining two toes of the receding Crowfoot Glacier.
Booking a Calgary departure means committing to a 10- to 14-hour day trip. Know exactly what your ticket covers before getting on the bus.
Many base tour prices only cover transportation and guide services from Calgary. You often need to purchase the Columbia Icefield Adventure tickets separately, which cost around CA $109 for adults.
If your tour requires you to buy your own icefield tickets, book a 2:30 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. time slot. Walk-up tickets frequently sell out in July and August.
The drive from Calgary takes at least three hours each way. Expect to spend six to eight hours of the day inside the vehicle.
Most operators use designated meeting points like the Delta Hotel Downtown or Sandman Hotel rather than custom hotel pickups. Departures start early, often between 6:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.
Sunwapta Pass sits at 2,035 meters elevation. Snow falls in mid-summer, and the glacier itself is heavily exposed to wind. Bring a heavy jacket and closed-toe shoes with grip.
Tours usually include the mandatory Parks Canada day pass in their base price. Check your specific itinerary to confirm you do not need to buy one at the gate.
Tours run strictly from early May to mid-October. The glacier vehicles and Skywalk shut down entirely for the winter months due to heavy snow and avalanche risks.
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| Guided Day Tour (Transport Only) | All-Inclusive Glacier Tour | Express Shuttle Service | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Type | Guided Day Tour (Transport Only) | All-Inclusive Glacier Tour | Express Shuttle Service |
| Duration | 10-12 hours | 12-14.5 hours | 10 hours |
| Glacier Tickets | Not included (purchase separately) | Included (Ice Explorer & Skywalk) | Not included |
| Price from (USD) | $65 - $90 | $405 | $73 |
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The Columbia Icefield Adventure and Skywalk operate seasonally from May 1 to October 12, 2026. Daily hours shift throughout the season based on daylight and demand.
The Discovery Centre and all attractions close entirely outside of these dates. The Icefields Parkway remains open to traffic in winter, but all visitor services shut down.
Driving from Calgary to the Columbia Icefield takes about four hours without stops. You head west on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) past Banff to Lake Louise, then turn north onto the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93N) for 125 kilometers.
Guided bus tours from Calgary handle the driving and usually depart from downtown hotels between 6:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. The total round-trip distance exceeds 400 kilometers.
Fill your gas tank in Lake Louise or Jasper before driving the parkway. Fuel stations are sparse along the route.
Mid-June to mid-September offers the most reliable weather and fully operational services. July and August bring the warmest temperatures—highs reach about 17°C at the visitor center—but also the heaviest crowds and peak ticket prices.
Book a tour that arrives after 3:30 p.m. to get a 20% discount on glacier tickets and face fewer people. June and September provide a good balance of clear roads and manageable visitor numbers.
Skip early May and late October. Snowstorms frequently disrupt schedules and force operators to suspend the Ice Explorer vehicles.
The Skywalk features a flat, 800-meter paved loop that easily accommodates wheelchairs, strollers, and walkers. Benches are placed along the path for resting.
Two Ice Explorer vehicles are equipped with wheelchair lifts to bring guests onto the glacier. You must provide 72 hours' advance notice by phone to secure one of these accessible tours.
Reaching the Discovery Centre from the lower parking lot involves climbing 75 stairs. An alternate ramp pathway exists to the left of the stairs, and accessible parking is available in the upper lot with a code provided at booking.
The Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre serves as the main hub. It contains parking lots, dining options, interpretive exhibits, and the only washrooms in the immediate area.
Use the facilities here before your tour departs. There are no toilets on the Athabasca Glacier or at the Skywalk platform.
The center also hosts the Glacier View Lodge, the only overnight accommodation located directly at the icefield.
Stay inside the roped-off safety zone while on the Athabasca Glacier. Hidden crevasses exist just beyond the markers, and walking unguided on the ice is extremely dangerous. Fatalities have occurred when visitors ignored these boundaries.
Many base tours from Calgary only cover transportation and guide services. You often have to buy the Columbia Icefield Adventure ticket separately for around CA $109. Check the specific tour inclusions before booking.
The drive takes about four hours each way, covering roughly 200 kilometers. Guided day tours usually last 10 to 14 hours total, with six to eight hours spent in the vehicle.
Wear a warm jacket, layers, and closed-toe shoes with thick rubber soles. The ice surface is about 15°C colder than the Discovery Centre, and the wind is usually strong.
You can hike the short Toe of the Glacier trail to look at the ice from a distance. Walking onto the glacier itself requires booking the guided Ice Explorer tour, as unguided walking is highly dangerous due to hidden crevasses.
No. There are no washrooms on the Skywalk or the glacier. You need to use the facilities at the Glacier Discovery Centre before your tour departs.
Most guided tours from Calgary include the required Parks Canada day pass in their price. If you drive yourself, you must buy a pass (CA $12.25 per adult) to travel the Icefields Parkway.
Bighorn sheep and mountain goats frequently gather on the cliffs near the Skywalk. You might also spot bears or elk from the bus while driving the Icefields Parkway, though sightings are never guaranteed.
No. The Ice Explorer, Skywalk, and Discovery Centre close completely from mid-October to early May. The highway remains open but receives heavy snow and has no visitor services.
The Ice Explorer parks on the Athabasca Glacier for 15 to 25 minutes. This gives you enough time to walk around the safe zone and fill a water bottle with glacial meltwater.
Operators typically use central meeting points like the Delta Hotel Downtown or the Sandman Hotel. Pickups usually happen between 6:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.
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This full-day trip departs from Calgary, Banff, or Canmore to the glaciers and lakes along the Icefields Parkway. Bow Lake is the first stop, where the water is often still enough to reflect the Crowfoot Glacier's three-toed ice formation. Twenty minutes is usually enough time here before driving north to Peyto Lake. Glacial silt colors the water bright turquoise at the Peyto Lake viewpoint, reached by a 15-minute uphill walk. It’s the busiest stop on the route. Expect a queue for the best photo spot on the wooden platform. Travel is by air-conditioned van or private car, covering roughly 400 kilometers roundtrip from Calgary. The guide explains the retreat of the Crowfoot Glacier and the local ecology of Waterfowl Lake, where moose occasionally appear near the shoreline. Snow can close the Peyto Lake access road as late as June — check the official park site that morning. Pack a windbreaker. Even in August, temperatures at the Columbia Icefield hover around 5°C. Families should opt for the private car to set their own pace at the lakes. For solo travelers, the van is the standard choice. Bring your own lunch, as the cafeteria at the Icefield Discovery Centre is expensive and often crowded with tour buses. That's the best way to save time for the actual scenery.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
German, English, Italian, French, Spanish
The bus leaves Calgary early for the Columbia Icefield, where you'll board a six-wheeled Ice Explorer to drive onto the Athabasca Glacier. You'll get about 20 minutes to walk on the ice. It's cold and windy even in August, so bring a jacket and shoes with rubber soles. The surface is slick and uneven. The return leg follows the Icefields Parkway back toward Banff. You'll stop there for dinner before the final stretch to Calgary. Most people stick to the main drag on Banff Avenue, but Bear Street has better food for lower prices. The bus usually gets back late at night. It's a long day with a lot of driving. That’s the one to book if you want the glacier without the hike.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
The tour covers the Columbia Icefield and the glacial lakes along the Icefields Parkway. You'll stop at Bow Lake and Peyto Lake; the latter looks like a blue teardrop from the summit overlook. At Crowfoot Glacier, you can see where the ice has receded, leaving behind two of its original three toes. It's a long drive. Expect to spend about six hours in the van, though the frequent stops break up the trip. Groups are capped at 12 people. You'll get more time at the viewpoints because 12 people move faster than 50. The guide can answer questions about the limestone peaks or the local grizzly population. Check the weather forecast for the icefield specifically, not just the town of Banff. It’s often twenty degrees colder at the glacier than in the valley. Wear boots with good tread for the slippery rocks near the ice.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Chinese, Cantonese, English
The tour follows the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield, the largest ice mass in the North American Rockies. You can pay extra for the Ice Explorer—a massive six-wheeled bus—to drive onto the Athabasca Glacier. It's the easiest way to walk on the ice. If you skip the bus, the views from the visitor center are still clear. Stop at Peyto Lake to see its bright turquoise water, a color caused by light reflecting off glacial silt. At Bow Lake, the Crowfoot Glacier sits on the mountainside above the water. It used to have three "toes," but one melted away decades ago. Now it looks more like a claw. Bring a jacket even in August. The wind off the ice is biting. Cancellations require 72 hours' notice through the Viator messaging system for a full refund. After that window, you won't get your money back. Check the weather the night before. If it’s socked in with clouds, the blue of Peyto Lake won't pop.
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Chinese, Japanese, English
This tour follows the 232-kilometer Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper. You'll see the three-toed ice formation of Crowfoot Glacier and the 2,700-meter peaks of Castle Mountain. Bow Lake is the first major stop for a walk along the shoreline. It's often windy here, so bring a shell. You can pay extra to board an Ice Explorer—a massive six-wheeled bus—and drive onto the Athabasca Glacier. This upgrade doesn't include the Skywalk glass bridge. If you skip the bus, the walk to the glacier's toe takes about 20 minutes from the parking lot. Peyto Lake requires a steep 15-minute hike to reach the wooden overlook. The water is brightest in mid-summer when glacial silt is highest. Wear sturdy shoes with grip. The glacier surface is slippery and much colder than the road. Weather changes fast in the Rockies, and clouds often hide the peaks by noon. Book the morning departure to beat the tour bus fleets.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This full-day guided tour travels from Calgary, Canmore, or Banff to the glaciers and alpine lakes of Jasper National Park. You'll spend most of the day on the Icefields Parkway. The route stops at Crowfoot Glacier and Bow Lake before reaching the bright blue water of Peyto Lake. At the Columbia Icefield, you can walk on the Athabasca Glacier or use the glass-floored Skywalk. Buy these tickets separately before you arrive. It's a long day. Columbia Icefield closes from October 14 to May 2 due to snow. During this window, the tour replaces the icefield with a 45-minute stop at Lake Louise and an hour at Johnston Canyon. Water drains down the limestone cliff at the Weeping Wall, where the tour stops in summer. The van also stops at Saskatchewan Crossing. Pack a heavy jacket even in August. The wind off the ice is biting.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Hindi, English
You'll walk on the largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies, a glacial expanse stretching across high alpine valleys between Jasper and Banff. The ice on the Athabasca Glacier is hundreds of meters thick. Guides explain the local geology and the visible retreat of the ice over the last century. It's cold at this elevation even in mid-summer. Wear sturdy shoes. We handle bookings for the Ice Explorer—massive six-wheeled buses designed for glacial terrain—and the glass-floored Skywalk. Bundling both attractions saves you $10 compared to buying them separately. You can also book the bus or the walkway individually. Most visitors do both to get the full view of the Sunwapta Valley. Request your tickets at least three days before your tour to secure a time slot. High-season dates often sell out weeks in advance. The icefield operator has a strict 72-hour cancellation policy. If the weather turns—heavy snow or high winds—the Skywalk may close for safety.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This day trip from Calgary, Banff, or Canmore follows the Icefields Parkway to Peyto Lake and the Crowfoot Glacier. You'll stop at Bow Lake and Waterfowl Lake for photos of the turquoise water and limestone peaks. Expect about eight hours of driving to cover the 400-kilometer round-trip from Calgary — it's a lot of sitting. Wear layers, as the wind at the 2,000-meter Peyto Lake lookout is colder than in the valley. Between October 15 and May 2, the itinerary includes a walk through Johnston Canyon to see the ice-covered limestone walls. You'll use steel catwalks bolted into the rock to reach the frozen waterfalls. The path gets slick. Wear boots with traction. If heavy snow blocks the high-altitude access roads, the driver will substitute lower-elevation viewpoints. Bring a portable charger, as the mountain cold drains phone batteries quickly.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Punjabi, Hindi, English
The tour starts in Calgary and covers the 232 km length of the Icefields Parkway. Stops include the turquoise waters of Peyto Lake, the three-toed ice formation of Crowfoot Glacier, and the shoreline of Bow Lake. It’s a long day in the van, but the windows are large enough to see the peaks. At the Columbia Icefield, a six-wheeled Ice Explorer drives you directly onto the Athabasca Glacier. You’ll have about 20 minutes to walk on the ice before heading to the Skywalk, a glass platform 280 meters above Sunwapta Canyon. The wind on the glacier is biting even in August, so pack a windbreaker. If the parkway closes due to early snow, the tour reroutes to lower elevations.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Chinese, Cantonese, English
This shuttle route stops at the Columbia Icefield, Bow Lake, and the teardrop-shaped Peyto Lake. The Columbia Icefield sits on the Continental Divide and feeds eight major glaciers. You'll see the three ice 'toes' of Crowfoot Glacier from the roadside. It's a lot of sitting. Pack snacks because the stops at the icefield center have high prices and long lines. The shuttle handles the driving on the winding sections of the Icefields Parkway. Bow Lake's turquoise water is right by the road. The Peyto Lake viewpoint requires a 15-minute uphill walk on a paved path to see the bright blue water. It gets slippery when it rains. Families should bring a carrier for toddlers since the path is steep for small legs.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Chinese, Cantonese, English