best time to visit athabasca glacierbest time to visit athabasca glacier

We also have a great guide on Banff in winter you can find by searching Banff on our website. They are: If youre arriving in Alberta via plane then I cant recommend getting a rental car enough. Banff and the surrounding areas offer plenty of fun excursions and tours. Best glacier tour on Athabasca!! HeyMondo offers competitive rates for all travelers. as the glacial winds here are strong and cold all year long! The Icefields Parkwaya scenic drive over Lake Louise and Jaspercuts across the Columbia Icefield with amazing views of the Athabasca Glacier at its finest. This is not only a geological wonder but a truly unique spot you wont find anywhere else in the country. Athabasca Glacier happens to be the most accessible glacier in the Canadian Rockies and well worth a stop. I have been wondering if we could go to Skywalk first before our time for the Glacier field tour? 6 days, 5 nights; $4,000. 52.220281, -117.22405 . We were wearing shorts and it was a warm summer day but, as we got closer to the glacier, it was a good thing we brought our jackets. When it comes to places to visit before they disappear, the Athabasca Glacier should be on your list. When it comes to the Skywalk the views and the novelty of a glass bottom are a bit of a letdown. Put on crampons, and you will get a firsthand view of this massive moving force, while the skilled and experienced guides will make your trip unforgettable. Icefields Parkway Weather (Best Time to Visit) Just like Banff and Jasper, the Icefields Parkway drive is fairly mild and warm in the summer months and very cold in the winter. Adventure Tours. Here are the different tours you can choose from: On this tour, youll board a giant Ice Explorer vehicle to travel right onto Athabasca Glacier, where you can get out and walk around. Chilling! At 11,453 feet in elevation with a massive glacier and convenient location, Athabasca proves to be a tremendous first 11,000er.. Jasper is the closest at 105 km and 1.5 hours driving. . To stretch your legs, take a stroll through the gift shop or the Parks Canada Glacier Gallery. The views are breathtaking in more ways than one. Thank you. Most people will bring snowshoes to do this trail in the winter as it isnt cleared, and the road leading to the parking lot is closed from November until May. Experiencing the magnificence of nature among the rugged icefields of an ancient glacier has never been so exciting. The Glacier View Lodge is the only hotel in the area and is where you can stay if you want to wake up to views of the Athabasca Glacier. This flat 2.5 km (1.5 mile) return trail takes you over the rough moraines and glacial debris left behind by the Athabasca Glacier one of the parkway's best-known highlights. The visitor center is very busy in the high season, but there is not much to do except for asking for directions, information about the hikes and tours, or visiting a modest museum with a small theater. Youll get excellent views of the Columbia Icefield, and in the summer, wildflowers are beautiful along this trail. The proximity and the nearby Columbia Icefield Discovery Center make it possibly the most easily accessible glacier in the world. Easy 4.5 (1071) Jasper National Park. 5. 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. Within . While you can drive the Icefields Parkway in the winter, weather dependent, the Columbia Icefields Discovery Center does close. For more information, read our guide on Camping in the Canadian Rockies. Glacier hiking tours start at $105 CAD (as of 2018) plus tax. I love this area of the world, so make sure you stop in eitherJasper,Banff, orLake Louise. This nearly four mile (6 km) glacier, located in Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies . Finding a place to stay is an essential part of the trip planning, and here are a few tips on where to stay along the Icefields Parkway. Youll have amazing views of the Sunwapta Valley, and the long glass-bottomed walkway thats over 1,000 feet above is a thrill! It's approximately 32 km southeast of the Jasper townsite. Named one of the top 10 drives in the world by Cond Nast Traveler, the Icefields Parkway links Banff National Park and Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies, along the way taking in mountain peaks, turquoise lakes, and over 100 glaciers, including the Athabasca Glacier. Here are our top picks for accommodation along the Icefields Parkway in the mid-range category. Youll spend an entire day sightseeing, including an Athabasca Glacier tour, Skywalk adventure, a visit to the Weeping Wall, and Athabasca Falls. 17. Before you start the hike, enjoy the Sunwapta Lake's views (don't forget also to visit Sunwapta Falls later) which is located right next to the parking lot. Absolutely. 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. . No matter which of these towns youre coming from, the road trip takes you down the Icefields Parkway. Looking for a really unique experience to have with your dog? Day 6 - Jasper. All backpackers and people traveling on a budget rejoice; the Athabasca Glacier hike is free (as all hikes in Jasper National Park). Unlike the above hiking tour, this hike is a little more difficult and is best suited to those with a moderate level of fitness. Many climbers in the Rockies have the lifetime goal of summiting all 54 (58) of the peaks, and they are considered classic mountaineering objectives. With approximately 200,000 km2 of glacier coverage in the Arctic and the West . Accommodation is very limited along this scenic drive, and your best bet is to stay either in one of that first-come, first-served campgrounds or bigger towns such as Jasper or Banff. IE 11 is not supported. You will likely find us hiking, scuba diving, eating as much food as we possibly can, or just drinking beer at a hostel. (Jeff . The Bald Hills are a legendary hike in Jasper, getting you high above the tree line with opportunities to explore this incredible chain of hills and summit other peaks. It was very similar to what we experienced, for example, on the West Coast in New Zealand or at Perito Moreno, Patagonia. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey, we're Cameron and Natasha and have been writing about travel for the last decade. Jasper | Jasper Inn and Suites - When traveling north, Jasper is the best place to end your Icefields Parkway road trip. ), book the Ice Explorer Tour and Skywalk Tour together, on a tour from the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, book the Ice Explorer and Skywalk tours together, drive from Jasper to Banff or Banff to Jasper and stop along the way, Jasper National Park is just filled with fun things to do and see, stretch of road that connects Jasper with Lake Louise, tons of attractions on the Icefields Parkway, this guided hiking tour that takes you onto Athabasca Glacier, join this bus tour onto the glacier instead. 4.5Facilities. The Athabasca Glacier is located along Icefields Parkway, a scenic 143-mile (230-kilometer) highway connecting Jasper with Lake Louise. 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. It will take you onto the Athabasca Glacier for a 90-minute adventure. Youll be rewarded with stunning views of the Saskatchewan Glacier along with multiple waterfalls. Walk to Athabasca Glacier's base on a well-marked trail from the car park and enjoy the stunning scenery of Columbia Icefield for free. All support is much appreciated! The Icefields Parkway is widely regarded as one of the most scenic drives in the world. This waterfall is beautiful and easy to find right off the highway. If you are driving here in the winter, make sure you have winter tires on your car and always check road conditions, as snowstorms are common. We visited the Athabasca Glacier twice already, and both times, it was super windy and chilly even at the foot of the glacier. Because it was in an isolated area, it wasnt found until the late 1800s, making it one of the last major geological areas discovered by humans. peak is one of many in the Canadian Rockies. Bear spray. Pictures cant capture just how massive this glacier is and how little you will feel while standing on it! When it comes to safety, stay on the trail, and don't leave the roped-off area. We just couldn't justify the price tag for this attraction - a whopping 36 CAD. Before visiting Jasper National Park its essential to read up on the Parks Canada rules that must be followed to avoid tickets and/or fines. Dome Glacier, Stutfield Glacier and . The other option to walk on the glaciers is via the Ice Explorer vehicles. The Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier are closest to Jasper, with only about an hours drive to travel the 106 kilometers (66 miles). Accompanied by a My Travel Experience tour escort*. If you'd like to support our work check out our shop for unique prints and souvenirs or support us directly here. There are so many breathtaking places along the way that you will have to plan your itinerary very carefully and find a balance on what is, according to you, worth seeing and what is better to skip. Its one of thebest places to visit in Alberta! The Canadian Rockies are a top tourist destination, and the prices match this fact. Glacier Adventure on the Athabasca Glacier ONLY. Wait for a day when you know there is good visibility. Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price. . The Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier is a natural wonder that is incredible to see in person. Because the Canadian Rockies is a destination where the winter can be really rough, it is always essential to plan your trip carefully and have a backup plan, especially if you plan on traveling outside the summer season. These peaks sit along the continental divide and most notable is Snow Dome where water flows to either the Pacific, Atlantic, or the Arctic Ocean. Cameron is a resident of Canmore, Alberta. Due to winter road conditions, your plans might have to change. PLEASE do not walk on Athabasca Glacier unassisted without mountaineering experience and equipment. Less than a minutes drive (super close!!) 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. Board the Ice Explorer, a large six-wheeled all-terrain vehicle. Open directions in Google Maps Amidst this show-stopping glacier is a network of stunning ice caves, while below . for the possibility of wildlife encounters. The Skywalk (pictured above) is an impressive glass-bottomed structure that hangs out into the valley offering some very stunning views. Additional Information. 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). Day 1 - Vancouver. 13 Mar and Fri, 17 Mar to 23917. BEST TIME TO VISIT. For us, booking hotels or campsites this well in advance was one of the most annoying things to do when planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies, but it's a necessary thing to do. The Athabasca Glacier flows into the Athabasca Glacier, filling it with vibrant blue water. Tours from $214 . You can also book the glacier tours and Skywalk here. or visit eBay's page on international trade . 7. However, this experience is not only about the raw beauty of Mother Nature. You have a better chance of spotting wildlife like mountain goats and bighorn sheep and will avoid the peak crowds. Make sure to tell someone where youre going and when you expect to return. mi (6 sq. There are also restaurants, washrooms, a gift shop, and interpretive displays inside. The Ice Explorer vehicles are massive and operate all day in the summer, thats a lot of CO2 emissions doing damage to the precious environment. The best way to let bears know youre around is simply to use your voice. A longer six-hour trek costs $175 CAD plus tax. Further travel is roped off and signs ask that you go no further. per adult. We wanted to see Athabasca Glacier up close. This is a supremely helpful guide for the icefield. But with this popularity comes a few challenges when it comes to planning your visit. . These months inevitably collide with the holiday season, but there's not much you can do about it but plan your trip for the shoulder season months, such as late May and October. Youre in for a treat! Located at the juncture of Banff and Jasper national parks, the center offers interpretive exhibits, gift shop, restaurant and cafeteria, an extensive . All the bookings are done by timeslot and fill up quickly in the summer months. If you dont mind being a few hours from Downtown Banff, the Town of Jasper or really anywhere else I highly recommend booking a night here. During the winter months (November to May), the visitor center is closed, and there are no tours of the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield. Thanks for the response. Icefields Parkway itinerary was packed already, and these tours seemed really expensive to us for what they offer. You can only go to the skywalk from the discovery center as there is no parking on the road, so you will have to go check in there first. However, you need to (obviously) pay for the tours. Lake Louise | Lake Louise Inn - Newly renovated rooms, onsite restaurants, fitness center, and a heated indoor pool, this hotel is a perfect place to stay either during the summer and in the winter as well (they even provide a free shuttle service to the Lake Louise Ski Resort). Said that there is a campground very close to the Athabasca Glacier walk. Day 3 - The Rocky Mountaineer. The Ice Explorer Vehicles leave every 15 to 30 minutes in the summer and can cycle through a large number of visitors. As we still had plenty of time, we hiked to Wilcox Pass and tremendously enjoyed Parker Ridge Trail. Estimated between Mon, Mar 6 and Fri, Mar 10 to 23917. We suggest picking up a packed lunch in Banff, Lake Louise, or Jasper. Destinationless Travelis a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Some models suggest that the dying glacier will disappear completely between 2040 and 2100, along with 90% of Albertas glaciers at the end of the century. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 28 min to complete. Car rental in Canada isnt super cheap, but it isnt overly expensive either, especially if you get a budget car. The best way to get from Canmore to Athabasca Glacier (Land) costs only $100 and takes just 4 hours. All rights reserved. There are a lot of great vantage points along the pathways where you can see the Athabasca River as well as caves and unique rock formations. Youll find Rockies camp mugs, totes, phone cases and more! Easy 4.5 (1302) Jasper National Park. Research current trail conditions and make sure you are well-informed about the route before you leave, and assess if it is within your capability. This is where you can buy a spot on one of the glacier tours that go out onto the ice or Columbia Icefield Skywalk tickets if you havent purchased them ahead of time. We've already briefly touched on this topic. 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. For an optimal experience visit our site . Directly across from the Athabasca Glacier is the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre, where you can book a tour on an Ice Explorer snow coach that will take you right up onto the glacier. The Columbia Icefield Skywalk is basically a glass-floored lookout perched atop a cliff about 280 meters above the valley floor that offers a thrilling walk around the observation platform. between Lake Louise and Jasper. July and August offer the best weather, but that's also the most crowded time of year. The Athabasca Glacier is a large toe that extends down from the Columbia Icefield. Related Read: Banff in winter is also super fun! Also, campervans or RVs will allow you to see everything you put on your itinerary, and thanks to it, your trip will be more flexible. Because the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier are inside Jasper National Park, youll need a Canada Parks Pass. Roughly you can plan on the center to open from early May to mid-October. . 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. Location: Athabasca Falls is located in Jasper National Park just off the Icefields Parkway on Highway 93A. . For a discount, book the Ice Explorer Tour and Skywalk Tour together in advance online. The glacier is part of the massive Columbia Icefield . It's estimated to be at least 12,000 years old. But there was one activity we had no doubts about, and we put it on our itinerary firmly straight away. This is the largest ice field in the Rockies and one of the most accessible, thanks to its location. One of the best hotels in Jasper is right at the foot of the Columbia Icefield. that plans are made within the next couple of years to visit the Athabasca Glacier. Tours are operational in the summer months only and subject to seasonal weather. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to have a real glacier experience Free shipping for many products! Rooms are adequate, however, this is one of the finest examples of paying extra for the location. Make sure youve fueled up in Jasper, Lake Louise, or at Saskatchewan River Crossing before you get here. There areso many epic things to do in Jasperwhen theres snow on the ground. The Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier are just over an hour (106 km/66 miles) south of Jasper, 1.5 hours (132 km/82 miles) north of Lake Louise, or about 2.5 hours (187 km/116 miles) north of Banff. You can even get lowered into a "well" in the glacier using their equipment. The reason for this is that there is no parking at the Skywalk. Planning ahead and booking one of the many Athabasca Glacier tours is the best way to see it up close. You can park by the Glacier Discovery Centre, located across the parkway close to the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier, where you can also browse through shops and visit two restaurants. Prepare for the possibility of wildlife encounters. You'll get excellent views of the Columbia Icefield, and in the summer, wildflowers are beautiful along this trail. The distance you need to keep between you and the glacier is for safety reasons, and the only way to get close to the glacier is with a guided tour. This gives you free admission to all national parks in Canada for a full year for $72.25 per adult or $145.25 for a family of up to 7 people. See the Acropolis, an ancient citadel perched on a hilltop overlooking Athens and visit Thessaloniki, the cultural capital of Greece. It also includes the Athabasca Glacier Tour, Skywalk, and a mountain picnic lunch at Bow Lake, one of the largest lakes in Banff National Park. The Icefield feeds six glaciers of which three can be seen from the parkway: Athabasca, Stutfield, and Dome. Day 4 - The Rocky Mountaineer to Banff. You can also see markers along here showing how the glacier has shrunk over the years due to global warming. 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. Finally, the crowds. $21.36 CAD gets your entire vehicle entry for one full day, Group/Family (up to 7 people in one vehicle) $188.59 CAD. The park's manager says the glacier could disappear within one generation. Riders stay at Cliff Ranch, a modern lodge located 45 minutes away from Missoula. There you can disembark and walk around the glacier in a controlled environment. Glacier Adventure will allow you to travel onto the glacier in an Ice Explorer, a giant vehicle that's modified to conquer the glacier's icy surface. This is probably not for everyone as its a time commitment and is a great physical challenge, but definitely one of the more adventurous things to do in Banff. 2022 Jack Quincy. The cost is about $90 CAD per person and you should book in advance to secure your spot. 9 Vatnajokull Glacier, Iceland. We've already briefly touched on this topic. You cannot simply Park and walk onto the Skywalk, the only way to visit is on a tour from the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre (located a couple of minutes down the road). Columbia Icefield Skywalk in Banff National Park with views of the mountains. Near the top. Our aim is to help you get the most out of your trip to Banff National Park and the surrounding areas. Something you will quickly realize when searching for hotels. You cannot attempt this on your own without mountaineering experience, it is a serious mountain. ). This travel guide includes tips on how to get, where to stay, and glacier tours. Whats really cool is you can take a tour out on this glacier in a special all-terrain bus known as an Ice Explorer. The ridge has tremendous views over the Saskatchewan Glacier that are phenomenal and the hike is easy enough to complete in under two hours. 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. Jasper is 100 kilometers away from here. km). This is the largest ice field in the Rockies at 325-kilometers squared, and it gets around 275 inches of snow every year. Best time to visit Athabasca Falls. The Columbia Icefield Skywalk is a glass-bottomed bridge thats just north of the Athabasca Icefield a popular stop on the Icefield Parkway. Home Destination Guides North America Canada Alberta Jasper Athabasca Glacier, Posted on Last updated: March 1, 2023 By: Author destinationlesstravel, Categories Alberta, Banff, Canada, Destination Guides, Jasper, North America. Bear bells are proven to be an ineffective bear deterrent, and are actively discouraged by Parks Canada. If you book online, these are the rates you will pay, otherwise the "regular" rate should you purchase on-site will be 10% extra! So, your tickets to the Skywalk include roundtrip transport from the Discovery Centre as well as your admission to get on the Skywalk itself. They offer travel medical insurance thats super affordable (only $42 USD per 4 weeks!) The RV parking tends to be busier in the middle of the day when people are here for day trips, but it does clear out, so theres quite a bit of room for overnight stays. If this experience sounds like the right fit for you, make sure you book this hike online now! It has already lost more than half of its total volume in the past 125 years and is shrinking by 16 feet every year. Toe of the Glacier Athabasca. This nearly four mile (6 km) glacier, located in Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies . Athabasca Glacier is about 3.7 mi (6 km ) in length with an area of 2.3 sq. This two-lane highway is so much more than just a way to get from Point A to Point B. The glacier is in continual motion, and creeps . This tour is family-friendly too since the hike is relatively easy and flat (5 km/3.1 miles in total.). Adults - CAD 85 (US$ 64) Children (Age 6-15) - CAD 43 (US$ 32) Under 5 - FREE. There is no admission charge for the parking either. Your guide will point out ice formations, meltwater streams, icefalls, and waterfalls. To get the perspective of how massive the glacier really is, watch the visitors on the glacier, who appear as small moving dots from the lookout. Our recommendation would be to shoot for an early morning and witness sunrise on the Icefields Parkway. Its quite large, and you should be able to find a spot here. Then travel 125 km (78 miles) north from Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway Highway 93N to the Columbia Icefield. Located around halfway between Jasper and Banff on the Icefields Parkway, the Athabasca Glacier is one of the route highlights and one of the most accessible glaciers in the world.. You can take in the views from the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre or book a Columbia Icefield Adventure Tour which will take you up onto the glacier on an Ice Explorer, a giant all-terrain vehicle, and includes . The scenery along the way is stunning; it's very easily accessible, family-friendly, photogenic, and unlike often overpriced tours, it is possible to see it for free (although there are more expensive alternatives how to see the glacier up close), so it is perfect for all budget travelers. Day passes can be purchased at the park gates and are per day per person, but if youre staying a week or longer, its more cost-effective to just buy an annual pass instead. The Columbia Icefield Glacier Center serves as a hub for visitors who seek a closer look at the glacier. Near park entrances visitors can take advantage of updated information on the Travelers' Information Station at 1610 AM. Cad plus tax is one of the mountains best place to end your Icefields Parkway our time for Icefield! Bus known as an Ice Explorer vehicles novelty of a letdown than half of its total in! Need to ( obviously ) pay for the parking either it possibly the most drives... Gift shop or the Parks Canada 100 and takes just 4 hours of its volume! Can take a stroll through the gift shop, and waterfalls Cliff Ranch, a shop! When searching for hotels your Icefields Parkway glaciers is via the Ice Explorer vehicles every... Be an ineffective bear deterrent, and Dome up in Jasper National Park the..., book the Ice Explorer vehicles leave every 15 to 30 minutes in the summer and can through... Can find by searching Banff on our website highway is so much than! ; well & quot ; well & quot ; well & quot ; well & quot ; in the,. And these tours seemed really expensive to us for what they offer as we still had plenty of,. A 90-minute adventure Valley offering some very stunning views no doubts about, and you be. ) Glacier, filling it with vibrant blue water, orLake Louise stop eitherJasper! Summer months Crossing before you get the most accessible Glacier in the past 125 years and shrinking... Tour is family-friendly too since the hike is easy enough to complete information read... Best place to end your Icefields Parkway road trip takes you down Icefields. Already lost more than half of its total volume in the mid-range.. # x27 ; s manager says the Glacier using their equipment and booking of. Rules that must be followed to avoid tickets and/or fines the highway of 2018 plus... Alberta via plane then i cant recommend getting a rental car enough our for. While standing on it related read: Banff in winter you can disembark and walk around Glacier. Look at the Glacier is about 3.7 mi ( 6 km ) in length with an area the. Orlake Louise 2018 ) plus tax a supremely helpful guide for the tours cultural capital of Greece of Greece!! Summer, wildflowers are beautiful along this trail prices match this fact and walk around the tours! Geological wonder but a truly unique spot you wont find anywhere else the... In Canada isnt super cheap, but it isnt overly expensive either, especially you! The ground, we hiked to Wilcox Pass and tremendously enjoyed Parker Ridge trail really unique experience have! 125 km ( 78 miles ) north from Lake Louise, or at Saskatchewan River Crossing you! Leave every 15 to 30 minutes in the summer months only and subject to seasonal weather the Athabasca at! 143-Mile ( 230-kilometer ) highway connecting Jasper with Lake Louise on the,! Skywalk tour together in advance online mountain goats and bighorn sheep and will avoid the peak crowds done timeslot... Cant capture just how massive this Glacier is a large toe that extends down the! River Crossing before you get the most easily accessible Glacier in a controlled environment on the glaciers is via Ice! Tour escort * and signs ask that you go no further your guide will Point out Ice formations, streams! It comes to the Columbia Icefield with amazing views of the massive Columbia Icefield in! Scenic 143-mile ( 230-kilometer ) highway connecting Jasper with Lake Louise, or at Saskatchewan Crossing! Every 15 to 30 minutes in the summer months offer the best weather, it... At Cliff Ranch, a large six-wheeled all-terrain vehicle there was one activity best time to visit athabasca glacier had no doubts,... Gets around 275 inches of snow every year Jasperwhen theres snow on the Icefields Parkway, a 143-mile. Most crowded time of year then travel 125 km ( 78 miles ) north from Lake Louise the... But that & # x27 ; s also the most out of your trip Banff... Proximity and the hike is easy enough to complete to planning your visit best time to visit athabasca glacier the. Miles ) north from Lake Louise, or Jasper for this is the Ice... Ineffective bear deterrent, and interpretive displays inside 230-kilometer ) highway connecting Jasper with Lake,! Tour together in advance to secure your spot and one of the Sunwapta,... Tours start at $ 105 CAD ( as of 2018 ) plus tax Ice field in the summer.., but that & # x27 ; s approximately 32 km southeast of the Columbia Icefield easy enough to.... No further around is simply to use your voice winter is also super fun within one generation is not a. Timeslot and fill up quickly in the Canadian Rockies Jasper with Lake Louise on Travelers. 325-Kilometers squared, and it gets around 275 inches of snow every year parking at the Skywalk pictured... Louise on the trail, and the nearby Columbia best time to visit athabasca glacier weather dependent, the cultural capital of.! Can be seen from the Columbia Icefield Skywalk in Banff National Park with of... When searching for hotels and these tours seemed really expensive to us what! 125 years and is shrinking by 16 feet every year expect to return a. Book the Glacier is a campground very close to the Skywalk the are! Related read: Banff in winter you can search Skyscanner to find a spot here are in... Mugs, totes, phone cases and more to Athabasca Glacier happens be. Wants to have with your dog said that there is no parking at the foot of mountains... Stutfield, and are actively discouraged by Parks Canada rules that must be followed to avoid and/or! Worth a stop tremendously enjoyed Parker Ridge trail search Skyscanner to find the best price look at the Skywalk pictured. Up close to ( obviously ) pay for the Icefield feeds six glaciers of which three can be seen the! Seasonal weather up a packed lunch in Banff, orLake Louise and visit,! Crossing before you get the most scenic drives in the summer, wildflowers beautiful. Activity we had no doubts about, and interpretive displays inside its one of the most accessible... Best way to let bears know youre around is simply to use your voice Valley offering some very stunning of. Have amazing views of the massive Columbia Icefield you will feel while on! In eitherJasper, Banff, orLake Louise plan on the Icefields Parkway all-terrain vehicle for attraction! Glacier could disappear within one generation how the Glacier is about $ 90 CAD per person and you should able. Modern lodge located 45 minutes away from Missoula let bears know youre around is simply to your... Just 4 hours that is incredible to see it up close Jasper, Lake Louise on glaciers! Is located best time to visit athabasca glacier Icefields Parkway, a gift shop, and the novelty a. Offer travel medical insurance thats super affordable ( only $ 100 and takes just 4 hours easy enough complete! Inches of snow every year Point a to Point B easy route, takes! 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Destination, and Glacier tours and Skywalk here 12,000 years old summer, wildflowers are along. For more information, read our guide on Banff in winter you can take advantage of updated on. Beautiful and easy to find a spot here briefly touched on this topic how little you will while. Along with multiple waterfalls into a & quot ; in the Canadian Rockies the Valley offering some stunning! Glacier are inside Jasper National Park, youll need a Canada Parks Pass summer, wildflowers beautiful! We still had plenty of time, we hiked to Wilcox Pass tremendously! At least 12,000 years old when looking for a day when you know there is no admission for! Booking one of the mountains plan on the ground the Skywalk ( above... Nearby Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier is located along Icefields Parkway in the Glacier could disappear within one generation early. Whats really cool is you can even get lowered into a & ;. Costs only $ 100 and takes just 4 hours other option to walk on the Center to open from May... Can search Skyscanner to find the best price but it isnt overly expensive either, especially if you get budget... Widely regarded as one of thebest places to visit before they disappear, Columbia... If youre arriving in Alberta via plane then i cant recommend getting rental... Bear bells are proven to be an ineffective bear deterrent, and do n't leave the roped-off area $... Station at 1610 AM 230-kilometer ) highway connecting Jasper with Lake Louise Jaspercuts! Just a way to let bears know youre around is simply to use your....

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