Columbia Icefield Glacier Tour & Skywalk

• Ride a massive Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier
• Walk on ancient ice formed thousands of years ago
• Glass floored Skywalk suspended above Sunwapta Valley
• Panoramic views of the Columbia Icefield and surrounding peaks
• Educational insights into glaciers and climate science

The Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre experience combines two of the most unforgettable attractions in the Canadian Rockies. Begin with the Ice Explorer Glacier Tour, where a specially designed all terrain vehicle transports you directly onto the Athabasca Glacier, part of the vast Columbia Icefield.

Standing on the glacier is a rare and powerful moment. Beneath your feet lies ice that has formed over thousands of years, surrounded by towering snow capped peaks that feed this frozen landscape. Guides share fascinating stories about glacial movement, geology, and the importance of these icefields to North America’s water systems.

The adventure continues at the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, a glass floored observation platform extending over the dramatic Sunwapta Valley. Suspended high above the valley floor, the Skywalk offers breathtaking views of rugged cliffs, waterfalls, and endless mountain ranges.

The best time to visit the Columbia Icefield is from late May through early October when Ice Explorer tours operate regularly and road conditions along the Icefields Parkway are most accessible.

Summer months offer clearer skies and safer glacier access, while early mornings provide fewer crowds and softer light for photography. Weather can change quickly at high elevation, so layered clothing is recommended even in summer.

• The Columbia Icefield is one of the largest ice masses south of the Arctic Circle
• The Athabasca Glacier is several hundred meters thick in places
• Water from the icefield flows into three different oceans
• The Ice Explorer vehicles are specially engineered for glacier terrain
• The Skywalk extends 30 meters out from the cliff edge

1 Day Ideal Visit Recommended

Morning:
Arrive at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre and check in for your scheduled Ice Explorer departure. Ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and spend time walking on the ice while learning from your guide.

Midday:
Return to the Discovery Centre for lunch and panoramic views of the icefield. Take photos from designated viewpoints along the Icefields Parkway.

Afternoon:
Visit the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. Walk across the glass platform and admire sweeping views of the Sunwapta Valley before continuing your scenic drive through Jasper National Park.

• Standing on the Athabasca Glacier surrounded by peaks
• Ice Explorer vehicle against the white glacier landscape
• Glass floor section of the Columbia Icefield Skywalk
• Sunwapta Valley cliffs from the observation platform
• Panoramic roadside viewpoints along the Icefields Parkway

• Dress warmly and wear sturdy shoes for glacier walking
• Book tours in advance during peak summer months
• Bring sunglasses to reduce glare from ice and snow
• Arrive early for clearer views and fewer crowds
• Combine the tour with a scenic drive between Banff and Jasper

The Columbia Icefield formed during the last Ice Age and remains one of the largest accumulations of ice in the Rocky Mountains. For thousands of years, glaciers such as the Athabasca Glacier have shaped the surrounding valleys through slow but powerful movement. Indigenous peoples traveled through the region long before European exploration, respecting the harsh yet life sustaining alpine environment.

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, explorers and mountaineers documented the icefield’s scale and scientific importance. The construction of the Icefields Parkway in the 1940s made the area more accessible, drawing visitors eager to witness glaciers up close.

The Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre and guided Ice Explorer tours were later developed to provide safe and educational glacier access. The Columbia Icefield Skywalk opened in 2014, adding a modern architectural viewpoint suspended above the Sunwapta Valley. Today, the site stands as both a tourism landmark and a powerful reminder of the changing climate and the fragile beauty of the Canadian Rockies.

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