Athabasca Glacier Snow Trip from Banff
Description
Visit Canada's famous glaciers on a full-day seasonal excursion from Banff. Your personalized small group tour takes you through an awe-inspiring landscape carved by glaciers and remnants from the last ice age, as you travel along the Icefields Parkway, one of the world's most scenic highways.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Departing from the centre, you'll climb aboard the Ice Explorer (a six-wheeled behemoth of a vehicle) and drive across the surface of this glittering sheet of ice. Getting thirsty? You’ll have a chance to drink pure, cold water straight from the glacier. Them, be transported to the glass floor Glacier Skywalk, hanging from the edge of the Sunwapta Valley at 918-foot (280 m), for unparalleled views of the canyon below and mountains around you.
This tour travels halfway along the world-famous Icefields Parkway, recognized as one of the top drives in the world passing numerous Rocky Mountain peaks, glaciers, waterfalls and emerald lakes.
A brief stop provides one of the day’s many up close glacier views.
You will visit Bow Lake, one of Banff National Park's largest lakes. Bow Lake is fed by meltwater from the Bow Glacier in the Wapta Icefield and lies at the base of Bow Summit.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Every pickup point has a unique pickup time. Guests must be ready at their selected pickup point 5 minutes prior. Banff Rocky Mountain Resort at 7:25 AM Canalta Lodge at 7:30 AM Banff Caribou Lodge at 7:31 AM Fox Hotel & Suites at 7:32 AM Red Carpet Inn at 7:33 AM Douglas Fir at 7:36 AM Banff Ptarmigan Inn at 7:40 AM Mount Royal Hotel (Public Bus Parking behind hotel) at 7:42 AM Rimrock Resort at 7:50 AM Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (Motorcoach Entrance) at 7:55 AM Banff Train Station at 8:00 AM Juniper Hotel at 8:05 AM If no pickup is selected, your pick up will be defaulted to meet at the public bus parking behind the Mount Royal Hotel at 7:42 AM.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infant rates do not include lunch
- Early and late season road / trail closures may limit access to some areas.
- Group bookings of 9 or more guests have a 7 day cancellation period.
Reviews(401)
Jake was an excellent guide on the Columbia Icefields Parkway Tour! He was very funny, knowledgeable, and shared lots of interesting information throughout the day. He also made a real effort to spot wildlife for the group, and thanks to him we even saw a bear! His enthusiasm and energy made the experience even more enjoyable.
We came to Banff to celebrate my daughter‘s birthday. Jake was our tour guide for the day. It just worked out that my daughter and I were the only two people on the tour bus.Jake was absolutely phenomenal. He was kind, funny, so knowledgable about the national park. We must’ve asked him 1000 questions and he answered every one. We were with him for 10 hours! The time went so quickly we learned so much. I would highly recommend this tour and Jake is definitely an asset to this company!! My daughter will never forget this birthday!!
Fantastic experience. Being on the glacier was awesome. Neil was a great guide - knowledgable and accomodating. Great. Highly recommended.
Well organised right down to pick up times. Great small bus with large viewing windows. Jake our guide was so knowledgeable - best tour guide I have had the pleasure of taking us on a tour. Stops along the way were brilliant from snow covered chalets, semi frozen lakes, wildlife explained as we went and the most stunning scenery at every turn. The Athabasker Glacier stunned. The whole day was far better than anticipated.
Pickup at hotel was uneventful. Simon kept us entertained along the way with facts, stories, picture and rest stops (3 hours each way). Box Lunch was very generous, matching our pre-trip request. Main tour of glacier and Skywalk is run by the Atabasca Glacier organization, and the same for all tour companies. Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and glad we did it, but probably wouldn't repeat it on our next trip as there are too many other things to do.
Absolutely the best tour I’ve ever been on!! The scenery was outstanding and our guide Roz was phenomenal. We saw so much, learned so much and really had an amazing time!! Highly recommend!!
Although the tour was long, it passed quickly with all the amazing sights of snow covered mountains and iced over lakes. Walking on the Athabasca Glacier was the highlight for me. Neil was an excellent tour guide providing interesting insights along the way and answering all our questions. He was relaxed and entertaining which helped the drive pass quickly. The lunch provided was delicious. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this tour and highly recommend it.
The experience of stepping onto a true glacier was incredible! Our driver (Andy) was knowledgeable, engaging and supportive - for those that may have been timid about the walking. Also a blessing: the sun 'broke through' during our stay!
It has been one of the most beautiful experiences of my life, to be able to see the glacier, we hit snow in Banff, everything very safe, the first Service, we passed by lakes like Peyto Lake, spectacular, many sighs, many wows. Thank you for your attention:)
¡Gracias por elegir visitar el glaciar con nosotros! Nos alegra escuchar tantas bonitas palabras sobre tu experiencia aquí!
Was a fabulous day and tour. Such beautiful sights and our operator Ros was THE BEST! We stopped at many lakes and viewpoints along the way and got loads of information from the guide. Def worth the trip and money! Thank you Ros for an awesome day! Super friendly staff and lunch was a great selection including a chicken wrap, fruit, cookies, crisps and juice.
