Columbia Icefield, Banff
The Columbia Icefield is located on the boundary of Banff and Jasper National Parks. One of the largest accumulations of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle, it covers an area of nearly 325 square kilometres. The continuous accumulation of snow feeds eight major glaciers including the Athabasca, Dome, and Stutfield Glaciers, all visible from the Icefields Parkway.
This is truly one of the can’t miss parts sights of the Canadian Rockies. See it best with Canadian Rockies tour guides who offer the Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience, which includes deluxe motorcoach transportation and sightseeing from various locations including hotels in Banff, Lake Louise, Calgary and Jasper.
Columbia Icefield Tour
Voyage through the remnants of the last Ice Age and look upon the monuments of rock and ice that remain today. When at the Columbia Icefield, have the experience of a lifetime on the surface of the Athabasca Glacier on specially designed, all-terrain Ice Explorers. The Ice Age meets the Space Age as you learn the natural and human history of this remarkable area.
Columbia Icefield from Calgary
Travel into the Rocky Mountains and along one of the world’s most spectacular journeys to the Columbia Icefield. At the Athabasca Glacier, touring companies can take you on a wild ride over the top of the glacier.
Columbia Icefield from Jasper
Built during the late 1930’s, and then known as the ‘Banff-Jasper Highway’, this road was designed as a tourist route. Construction crews followed an old trail that the Brewster brothers had been using to carry adventureous tourists on horseback along a six-day journey between Lake Louise and Jasper. The Brewster brothers called this route “The Great Glacier Trail”.
Columbia Icefield from Jasper
Built during the late 1930’s, and then known as the ‘Banff-Jasper Highway’, this road was designed as a tourist route. Construction crews followed an old trail that the Brewster brothers had been using to carry adventureous tourists on horseback along a six-day journey between Lake Louise and Jasper. The Brewster brothers called this route “The Great Glacier Trail”.
Columbia Icefield from Lake Louise
Follow the mystical rivers of the mountains: the Mistaya, and the mighty North Saskatchewan to the Columbia Icefield where its meltwater feeds streams and rivers that pour into the Arctic, Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. Experience the Ice Explorer ride where you will travel on a moving glacier, touch ancient ice and drink the fresh waters of the glacier.
Columbia Icefield from Lake Louise to Banff
Follow the mystical rivers of the mountains: the Mistaya, and the mighty North Saskatchewan to the Columbia Icefield where its meltwater feeds streams and rivers that pour into the Arctic, Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. Experience the Ice Explorer ride where you will travel on a moving glacier, touch ancient ice and drink the fresh waters of the glacier.
Icefield Glacier Experience
The Columbia Icefield is located on the boundary of Banff and Jasper National Parks. One of the largest accumulations of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle, it covers an area of nearly 325 square kilometres.
Facing the Columbia Icefield Visitors’ Centre lies the Athabasca Glacier – a tongue of ice 6 kilometres long and one kilometre wide. Take time for a tour onto the icy slopes of the Athabasca Glacier. You can travel in a specially 4×4 vehicles to the middle of the glacier, on a 5 kilometre round trip journey. Your driver/guide will explain how glaciers are formed and point out interesting geological features as you travel in safety and comfort. At the mid-point, you will have the option of stepping out onto ice formed from snow falling as long as 400 years ago.
After this unique adventure, you can retire to the Columbia Icefield Centre to relax over lunch or dinner and watch the light change over the ancient rock and ice.