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Columbia Icefield Skywalk

Columbia Icefield Skywalk: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Banff: Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield Day Trip

1. From Banff: Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield Day Trip

Discover the Athabasca Glacier on a guided tour from Banff. Journey along the scenic Icefields Parkway and climb into an Ice Explorer vehicle to explore the awesome glacier. Experience breathtaking views of the Sunwapta Valley as you step across the Glacier Skywalk. Get picked up from your Banff hotel in a modern mini bus by your friendly guide. Departing from Banff, your guide will welcome you on the tour with an overview of where you'll be headed as you sit back and enjoy the ride along the Icefields Parkway, one of the world’s most stunning scenic drives. Benefit from a tour where you don’t have to navigate or watch the road. Sit back, relax, and focus on the amphitheater of mountains towering above as you keep your eyes peeled for wildlife at the edges of the forest. Stop at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre and board an Ice Explorer vehicle. Drive onto the Athabasca Glacier, learn about its history, and take some free time to soak up the views. Touch this ancient sheet of ice and even drink pure, cold water straight from the glacier. Head to the nearby glass floor Glacier Skywalk and follow the 1-kilometer walkway that leads to a platform where glass is all that separates you from a 918-foot drop. Witness the giant glaciers perched above you and admire the views of the spectacular Sunwapta Valley spread out below. Enjoy a scenic stop for a hearty packed lunch of a sandwich, juice, fruit, chips, and brownies. Visit iconic landmarks along the Icefields Parkway such as Bow Lake, the headwaters of the mighty Bow River before heading back to Banff.

From Banff/Lake Louise: 1-Way Sightseeing Tour to Jasper

2. From Banff/Lake Louise: 1-Way Sightseeing Tour to Jasper

Your mountain adventure starts when your driver guide meets you at your accommodation. Your journey through two of Canada's most renowned national parks: Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, starts with incredible views surrounding the town of Banff and a stop at shimmering Lake Louise. After departing Lake Louise, you will travel the Columbia Icefields Parkway, truly one of the most scenic roadways in the world. Take the magnificent scenery and make several stops along the route to appreciate the breathtaking beauty of the region.  Highlights include Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, Petyo Lake, Saskatchewan Crossing, the Weeping wall, the Columbia Icefield, and the Athabasca Falls. During this journey, you will also partake in a delicious picnic lunch at a scenic viewpoint. At the Columbia Icefields you will take part in a Glacier adventure to Athabasca Glacier as well as experience the Glacier Skywalk for vistas over the Sunwapta Valley. This tour is designed to provide the optimum guide and passenger interaction. Small vehicles and group sizes are assured to make your journey in this stunning environment memorable. Have your camera ready, as this remote region of the world provides you with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

Jasper: Icefields Parkway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

3. Jasper: Icefields Parkway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide App. This acts as your personal tour guide, narrated tour, and map, all rolled into one. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! This 130+ miles-long tour covers the essentials of Icefields Parkway in 2 - 3 Hours. This tour can begin in Jasper or Banff, whichever’s most convenient! The Jasper route begins in the town of Jasper. One of the first stops will be the breathtaking Jasper SkyTram, where you’ll have the chance to ride up the face of a mountain for a bird’s-eye view of the vast landscape unfolding on this journey. Then, you’ll pass a trail that winds into the lush Valley of the Five Lakes. Continuing, you’ll come to Athabasca Falls, a roadside waterfall plunging into an ancient canyon. As you gaze up at the towering peaks of Mount Kerkeslin and Mount Christie, you’ll discover the history of this majestic place, from the First Nations to the daring construction of the Icefields Parkway itself. Your next stops include the serene settings of Wabasso Lake and Horseshoe Lake. Here, nature isn’t just observed; it’s felt. Discover secrets of the surrounding ecosystem, from the tiniest wildflower to the majestic elk. Stop at Goats & Glacier Lookout for exactly what you’d expect: Mountain goats and a glacier! Then, continue and learn about the crucial role of the Canadian Pacific Railway in bridging vast distances across Canada’s wilderness. Soon, the Columbia Icefield Skywalk awaits. This glass-floored observation deck offers unparalleled views and an unforgettable experience of these mountains. With the glaciers beneath your feet, time seems to stand still. Peyto Lake, up next, offers a perfect spot for contemplation. But don’t linger too long, as the historical tales of Hollywood's forays into the Rockies beckon. Then, hear tales of strange World War II experiments amid the icefields and stop at another overlook for a fabulous view of Crowfoot Glacier. Finally, you’ll approach the picturesque Lake Louise, one of Banff’s most iconic attractions. Here, the reflections of the mountains on the pristine water are a reminder of the eternal beauty of nature and the stories it holds. Your tour concludes here. If you begin at Lake Louise, you’ll experience all the same sights, just in the opposite order!

Jasper: Transfer to Banff/Lake Louise w/ Columbia Icefields

4. Jasper: Transfer to Banff/Lake Louise w/ Columbia Icefields

Your journey through two of Canada's most renowned national parks: Jasper National Park and Banff National Park, commences the moment your friendly driver/guide meets you at your hotel or approved accommodation. Departing the picturesque mountain town of Jasper, you will travel the Columbia Icefields Parkway, truly one of the most scenic roadways in the world. Take in the magnificent scenery and make several stops along the route to appreciate the region's breathtaking beauty. Along the way, highlights include Athabasca Falls, the Columbia Icefields, the Weeping wall, Petyo Lake, Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier, Saskatchewan Crossing and Lake Louise. You will also partake in a delicious picnic lunch at a scenic viewpoint during this journey. At the Columbia Icefields you will take part in a Glacier adventure to Athabasca Glacier as well as experience the Glacier Skywalk for vistas over the Sunwapta Valley. This interpretive tour is designed to provide the optimum in guide and passenger interaction. Small vehicles and group sizes are guaranteed in order to make your journey in this stunning environment memorable. Have your camera ready, as this remote region of the world provides you with excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

Other Sightseeing Options in Columbia Icefield Skywalk

Want to discover all there is to do in Columbia Icefield Skywalk? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Columbia Icefield Skywalk

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 941 reviews

We had an awesome time on our trip. Surprisingly, this 11 hour trip seemed to fly by... never once feeling bored or tired (well maybe a little tired on the last leg of the trip driving back). Our guide was very knowledgeable on most everything the guest threw at him. The short trip to and from the actual glacier was fun as our guide Simon was quite entertaining himself (he was from New Zealand... wife loves accents LOL). Highly recommend this trip.

Guide was wonderful, all activities were great, loved the time spent on the glacier and all the side trips at different lakes were good and the lunch was also good! Day well spent!!!!!

Eli was an excellent tour guide! We had the most wonderful day and learned so many new things about the area. Great experience!

Great experience. Our guide Tim was very knowledgable and had loads of anecdotes to pass on. Would thoroughly recommend.

Kelsey was thorough, patient and pleasant. The trip was an incredible experience for my family.