You can walk up to the falls and climb up a bit to get a great photo. Easy 4.5 (1302) Jasper National Park. Theres a reason so many people make this drive from Jasper to Banff or Banff to Jasper and stop along the way. Absolutely. Only you can answer this question. Learn More. To avoid the crowds, visit outside of the peak summer months of July and August. Jasper Inn & Suites offers good value for money. Rooms are adequate, however, this is one of the finest examples of paying extra for the location. This postcard comes to life at the incredible Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier in Alberta. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to have a real glacier experience Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour. We were stuck waiting around the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre for three hours before there was an opening on a tour for us. . Visit Athabasca Glacier a disappearing wonder. The RV parking tends to be busier in the middle of the day when people are here for day trips, but it does clear out, so theres quite a bit of room for overnight stays. Icefields Parkway | The Crossing - Located in Saskatchewan River Crossing on the Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Banff, The Crossing is one of the few hotels along this stunning road. He has been featured as a travel expert with numerous publications worldwide and has spoken on several occasions about the power of travel. Rockaboo Mountain Adventures is one of Jasper's longtime guiding heavyweights, and their new Athabasca Glacier Tour is the latest addition to their daily programs (which includes ice climbing in winter and rock climbing in summer). Note: The Athabasca Glacier is located in Jasper National Park, meaning that a valid park pass is required. The Icefield Centre is about 64 miles (103 kilometers) from Jasper and 53 miles (185 kilometers) from Banff. From the top, you can spot countless glaciers, icefields, and many of Albertas highest peaks. Day 1 - London and Vancouver. The trail is well-marked, and it's almost impossible to get lost here. 4.8. While we think you can get better views on a hike than the Skywalk, the Skywalk is accessible for all and will help everyone get the most out of their trip that may not have the ability to enjoy long hikes. See the Acropolis, an ancient citadel perched on a hilltop overlooking Athens and visit Thessaloniki, the cultural capital of Greece. Renting a car will definitely make exploring all of the fun things to see and do in Alberta easier. Athabasca glacier has receded approximately a mile in over a century and is still receding by about 2-3 m per year. Whether it be buying a coffee or (even better) purchasing a unique print for your home from The Banff Print Shop all purchases help with the upkeep of this site that is updated daily. This nearly four mile (6 km) glacier, located in Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies . We depart the UK on our flight from London Heathrow to Vancouver, where we transfer to our superb Fairmont Hotel in the heart of the city for two nights. Its a bit steep to start but is still rated as an easy hike. Length 0.9 miElevation gain 200 ftRoute type Out & back. The Athabasca Glacier is not alone in its retreat: Since 1960, glaciers around the world have lost an estimated 8,000 cubic kilometers (1,900 cubic miles) of ice. Imagine that the glacier not that long ago reached beyond the parking lot where you started the hike, and in the next hundred years, there will be very little left from the Athabasca Glacier if nothing changes. The Ice Explorer Vehicles leave every 15 to 30 minutes in the summer and can cycle through a large number of visitors. Tours from $214 . Our aim is to help you get the most out of your trip to Banff National Park and the surrounding areas. How much will it cost to visit Glacier Skywalk? The peak is one of many in the Canadian Rockies famous for reaching an altitude of 11,000 feet. Duration: 10 hours. OK. How to get from Canmore to Athabasca . To open it up in Google Maps for easy navigation just click the red pin. The melting snow and waters from the glaciers flow straight north to the Arctic Ocean, east to the Atlantic Ocean and west to the Pacific Ocean. Continue reading this blog post for everything you need to know to experience the Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park for yourself, including distance, elevation gain, how to get there, the best time to visit, and lots of photos of my experience. A reservation is not required unless you have a large group. If youre planning to stay longer or visit more than one national park in a year, theDiscovery Passis a great option. This is also a great opportunity to take in fantastic views from the Glacier Skywalk. . There is so much to do in this part of the Canadian Rockies. Book your tickets online for Athabasca Falls, Jasper: See 5,843 reviews, articles, and 3,328 photos of Athabasca Falls, ranked No.2 on Tripadvisor among 34 attractions in Jasper. That's right, a short walk to the foot of the Athabasca Glacier is a must-do activity while touring the Icefields Parkway. In fact, it's astounding just how much is packed into this route! Of course, very few will drive the parkway in that amount of time as there are a plethora of worthy stops along the way. as the glacial winds here are strong and cold all year long! You can also see markers along here showing how the glacier has shrunk over the years due to global warming. Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price. This is one of the biggest tips I have for you if your heart is set on getting to explore the icefield and glacier up close, book in advance!! If youre traveling during these uncertain times, be sure that you have travel insurance! There are not many options for food along the Icefields Parkway. Including hike info and off-season travel information. Glacier Skywalk and Columbia Icefields (1 hour 15 minutes from Jasper) You will probably want to spend most of the time here. The ice sheet as of now subsides at a rate of around 5 meters 16 ft per year and has retreated in excess of 1.5 km 0.93 mi and lost over portion of its volume in the previous 125 years. Glscier-fed Sunwapta Lake to the rear looking somewhat gloomy. So, your tickets to the Skywalk include roundtrip transport from the Discovery Centre as well as your admission to get on the Skywalk itself. The Wilcox Pass trailhead is right nearby and will lead you to amazing views of Athabasca Glacier, Mount Athabasca, and Mount Andromeda. But with this popularity comes a few challenges when it comes to planning your visit. The views are sublime in all directions - definitely a great trail in Jasper National Park. Easy 4.5 (1071) Jasper National Park. The trail gradually leads uphill, with some steeper sections along the way. The Skywalk is a kilometer long walk that first moves along interactive displays where guests learn about the natural process that formed the Rockies along with the fossils. The glacier is losing depth at a rate of 16 feet per year (5 meters), and has receded over 1.5km, and has lost half of its volume, in the past 125 years. Even if you dont have plans for one of the tours its worth stopping for a refreshment, to stretch the legs, or use the washroom. In the right light conditions it can be a much more brilliant blue. You can check out guided ice walk tours here. Glacier hiking tours start at $105 CAD (as of 2018) plus tax. DISCLAIMER: All activities you find on this site are dangerous. Demand is heaviest from June to September, and accommodation fills up quickly. Icefields Parkway itinerary was packed already, and these tours seemed really expensive to us for what they offer. You can stay right at the hotel that is part of the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, but it is the priciest option. Columbia Icefield Adventure includes the Ice Explorer Tour on the Athabasca Glacier, admission to the Skywalk and return transportation from the Glacier Discovery Centre. Jasper National Park is just filled with fun things to do and see! BEST TIME TO VISIT. If youre after a souvenir to take home with you, there are tons of gift shops in the Jasper townsite to check out. It has already lost more than half of its total volume in the past 125 years and is shrinking by 16 feet every year. This 1km (.6 mile) walkway towers over the Sunwapta Valley. There you can disembark and walk around the glacier in a controlled environment. We've actually been traveling non-stop for the last few years now, so we really are living a "destinationless" lifestyle! It will take you onto the Athabasca Glacier for a 90-minute adventure. Columbia Icefield (Athabasca Glacier): 15 Tips for Visiting. Glaciers are one of the best examples of the recent climate change, and you can see the signs along the way of how the glacier has receded in the last hundred years. A giant one kilometre wide and six kilometre long tongue of the Athabasca Glacier hidden beyond the mountains. There are some crevasses in the glacier and there have been a few cases of children falling into the small crevasses with a tragic outcome. Athabasca Falls. From Banff: Thisfull-day tourleaves from Banff and heads down the Icefields Parkway. This short walk up to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier is located in the Columbia Icefield, the largest icefield in the Rocky Mountains. The Athabasca Glacier flows into the Athabasca Glacier, filling it with vibrant blue water. TheBanff Blog Facebook Groupis your headquarters for the Canadian Rockies travel advice and information. Travel Insurance: World Nomads Travel Insurance covers against risks of travel. You must park in this lot if youve booked a glacier or Skywalk tour. Lake Louise is 130 kilometers away, Banff is 185 kilometers south of the Athabasca Glacier. Cheers for joining us on our adventures! . The Columbia Icefields Discovery Center acts as the gateway for many visitors with interactive exhibits, tours, and features such as the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. Follow the trail all the way to the lookout. As we still had plenty of time, we hiked to Wilcox Pass and tremendously enjoyed Parker Ridge Trail. The Columbia Icefield Glacier Center serves as a hub for visitors who seek a closer look at the glacier. Yes! Within . . The best way to get from Canmore to Athabasca Glacier (Land) costs only $100 and takes just 4 hours. Icefields Parkway winter driving can be hazardous as the roads can be very icy. Jasper is 100 kilometers away from here. Length 0.6 miElevation gain 82 ftRoute type Out & back. 5.0. We'll talk about it later in this blog post. One of the best things about Icefields Parkway is that it is not lined with hotels and resorts. Day 3 - The Rocky Mountaineer to Kamloops. As time passes, the snow transforms into ice and begins to flow outward through gaps in the mountains surrounding the icefield, creating great tongues of ice called glaciers. Another great alternative is Viator. Athabasca Falls are accessible year-round, thanks to the nearby well-maintained highway and the parking lot close to the falls. More experiences in Banff & Jasper National Parks. The perfect-blue streams of water making their way from this wall of ice, rushing down rocky slopes of rubble that have been carved up by the retreating behemoth the glacier itself is only one part of the experience - the strangely barren cliffs all around you exhibiting the glaciers effect on the landscape is what makes it feel like youre truly somewhere unique. We're a family who hike quite a bit - and so - are interested in. Day 6 - Jasper. Its 6 km away from the Glacier Discovery Center and does not offer views of the Athabasca Glacier, but instead the Sunwapta Valley. Mount Athabasca looms over Athabasca Glacier, but only a few get to see the view from the top. That being said its easy to walk on the glacier with a guide. The Skywalk is a short (5-minute) free shuttle ride away from the Discovery Center. Athabasca River is 1231 kilometers long river that originates in Jasper National Park at the end of Columbia Glacier and runs across the province of Alberta into enormous Lake Athabasca, spreading across the borders between Alberta and Saskatchewan. To avoid crowds at the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, it's best to be on one of the first tours of the day or the last. If you're planning on traveling to Glacier National Park during April, you should expect temperatures topping out at around 53 degrees Fahrenheit and lows of about 30. You cannot attempt this on your own without mountaineering experience, it is a serious mountain. We think this is one of the most spectacular areas and the perfect place for an outdoor vacation. The thing is that there are many lookouts and stops along the way where you don't have to pay, that the Skywalk makes sense only for visitors who really want to try the glass walk. Car rental in Canada isnt super cheap, but it isnt overly expensive either, especially if you get a budget car. The Columbia Icefield is home to one of the most accessible glaciers in the world and is a great experience to take in along the Icefields Parkway. Wear sturdy shoes even though it might seem the distance is short for the hassle. Its full of viewpoints to admire the scenery, stunning waterfalls, and good hikes all along this scenic drive. One thing that isnt at the visitor center is a gas station. Tickets for this experience are around $40 CAD. The Icefields Parkway, where the icefield and glacier are located, is maintained by Parks Canada, and youll need a Parks Canada Pass to drive along it, even if you dont plan on stopping anywhere. Lake Louise to Jasper Thisone-way tour from Lake Louiseincludes transportation to Jasper and some incredible stops along the way. With approximately 200,000 km2 of glacier coverage in the Arctic and the West . You can also watch the award-winning film Through Ice and Time, which was specifically created for this gallery. At 6km in length, it is the only glacier in the area. All support is much appreciated! Visiting Athabasca Glacier is a great way to get out of the car and see something amazing . 5. Here is the opportunity to stand on a glacier, a once in a lifetime experience. The rest is hidden beyond the mountains. The only reservations that are required are for the guided Ice Walk as it is with an independent tour operator not associated with Pursuit and the Icefield Discovery Center. HeyMondo offers competitive rates for all travelers. Athabasca Glacier. This two-lane highway is so much more than just a way to get from Point A to Point B.