Imagine standing atop an ancient glacier, your vision completely filled with a wonderland of ice and snow enclosed by the majestic Canadian Rockies. Experience The Columbia Icefield, Canada’s largest icefield, at Alberta’s breathtaking Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park!
Columbia Icefields / Athabasca Glacier
Only discovered in the late 1800s, The Columbia Icefield, at 325 kilometers squared, stands as Canada’s largest ice field. And a magnificent geological force that has been captivating visitors for centuries.
Water from the Columbia Icefield and its six major glaciers flows through underground rivers and caves to three different oceans. With an origin story going back 240,000 years ago when it was first formed in its isolated area of Rocky Mountains. This majestic sight is surely something one must experience at least once-in-a-lifetime.
The Athabasca Glacier is just one of the enormous glaciers that make up the Columbia Icefield. The ice goes between the summits of two mountains – Mount Columbia on the west and Mount Athabasca on the east. Because of its location in Jasper National Park along the Icefields Parkway, it’s the easiest of the Columbia glaciers to get to. And the only one you can see – not only with a tour but from the road!
Jasper National Park / Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway is arguably the most scenic drive in all of Canada, taking you from Lake Louise to Jasper. Along this drive, in the southern corner of Jasper National Park, you’ll find the Athabasca Glacier. The Athabasca glacier is home to some best things to do in Jasper National Park.
Nestled directly alongside the Athabasca Glacier, you’ll find the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre – your starting point to explore this grandiose glacier. There is no parking anywhere other than Discovery Center. So you’ll have to take a bus from here to most of the activities. To uncover what awaits at one of Canada’s most remarkable glaciers, you have a few exciting options:
- The Athabasca Glacier hike, a small one-hour hike. The toe of the Athabasca Glacier trailhead is in parking lot of the discovery center.
- The Columbia Icefield Skywalk, an interpretive walk with a glass-bottomed skywalk above Athabasca. You must take a short bus ride to skywalk.
- The Ice Explorer tour, an off-road bus tour on the glacier. The off-road busses pick you up at the discovery center.
- A guided day hike up the glacier with IceWalks. You will meet your guides and the rest of the group at the discovery center.
We wanted to get up close and personal with the glacier, so we opted for the guided day hike with Corin at IceWalks.
Don’t forget to book in advance online, especially in the summer, as this place gets busy.
Athabasca Glacier IceWalks
Icewalks offers interpreted Athabasca Glacier tours. Not only will you get to enjoy a unique hike, but you’ll also learn about climate change and how it affects Canada’s glaciers. It is a great experience.
They offer classic half day guided tours, an extended full day exploration, or even one personally guided by local Indigenous guides, and private tours. Whichever you choose, these offerings provide a truly unforgettable interpretive outdoor experience of this breathtaking landscape.
Icewalks tips for parents;
- At 3 hours, 5 km (3 miles) round trip, with a 200 m (650 feet) climb, this is a big day for kids, come prepared with snacks, carriers, extra clothes and such.
- Bring warmer layers than you think you need. It’s at least 10C colder on the ice than it is on the highway. Bring hats, mitts, warm jackets and wear pants and hiking boots.
A Lesson In Glaciology
Our guide Corin was fantastic, he taught us about, mill wells, seracs and all the other unique features of this frozen landscape. We learned about the process of glaciation and the effects it has on the landscape. As well as about climate change and its implications for the future of this place.
It was such an enriching experience for the kids. Watching them learn about Canada’s icefields gives me hope that they’ll be better guardians of our planet when they’re older.
After hours spent walking through this surreal wonderland with a guide who was full of knowledge, I felt that we had truly made the most out of our experience.
Exploring The Athabasca Glacier and Jasper National Park is a magical experience that all people should take part in! You can be sure to learn more about the environement and how it is shaped by the way we live today. So next time you’re planning your trip to Canada, be sure to add this place to your list of must-see destinations!