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5 Best Jasper Glacier Tours: 2024 Columbia Icefield Guide
Are you interested in doing a Jasper Glacier tour?
While there are many places to see glaciers from a distance, you can actually see Athabasca Glacier up close.
Athabasca Glacier is set deep in the heart of Jasper National Park in the province of Alberta.
The contrast of the cold blue water against the ice of the glacier makes for unforgettable views and you can even bring your water bottle and fill it with fresh glacier drinking water from the streams.
The Jasper Glacier Tour along the Icefields Parkway offers guided daily bus trips to the glacier. To help you choose the best tour option, I have compiled a list.
My Top 3 Picks: Jasper Glacier Tours
#1 TOP PICK
#2 PICK
#3 PICK
5 Best Jasper Glacier Tours
1. Ice Explorer Glacier Tour and Glacier Skywalk
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 hours | ✅ Book it!
The Ice Explorer Glacier Tour is an awesome day trip that visits both the Athabasca Glacier and the Skywalk attraction for spectacular views of the Jasper Icefields. It will reward you with memories you will cherish for a lifetime.
Along the way, your tour guide will teach you all about the glacier (both current as well as historical information).
“Standing on the icefield with my 13 year old grandson was a highlight of our Rockies road trip for both of us – and that says something for a 13 year old. The guides were all great and entertaining but delivered lots of fascinating information as well. The whole trip was smooth and a once in a lifetime opportunity. We will be talking about this for a long time to come.” – Denise D (Read more reviews)
The tour starts and concludes at the Discovery Centre Parking Lot. Here, you will board the snow coach and head toward Athabasca Glacier.
The Athabasca Glacier Tour Buses (otherwise known as snow coach buses) are so big. It’s very exciting! The tires are huge! The snow coaches are designed to impact the glacier very little, which sustainable travelers love.
Each tour group has a guide assigned specifically to you, so the level of service is very good and they have excellent knowledge of the area.
All in all, this tour of the glacier will be sure to rank as one of your most unique experiences in Jasper National Park!
Location: This tour begins and ends at the Discovery Centre.
Included: The Ice Explorer Tour on the Athabasca Glacier, transportation to and from the Glacier Discovery Centre, and admission to the Glacier Skywalk.
What to Bring: Warm coat, sturdy footwear, camera, sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle.
2. Guided Glacier Hike on The Athabasca with IceWalks
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 hours | ✅ Book it!
What could be a more scenic experience than an unforgettable 5 km round trip guided ice tour?
The ACMG-certified guides on this tour pride themselves on having comprehensive knowledge of the Athabasca Glacier and the history of the landform. You can learn all about the fascinating ice formations such as crevasses, mill wells, meltwater streams, and icefalls.
It’s a small group tour, with a maximum of 12 people. An easy walking tour, this Athabasca Glacier Hike is more personalized and suitable for small children and seniors alike. The easy hike is a short walk to get some incredible views.
I did this Columbia Icefields tour as a kid with my dad and sister.
“The Scenery is spectacular. We had Troy as a guide and he was incredible and informative. A few things I should have done… Number one: wear sunscreen. Number to bring a hat and gloves (although they are provided if you don’t have them.) Three don’t worry about slipping on the ice because the microspikes do all the work for you! Definitely do this trip. Well worth the exertion and in my opinion, 1000 times better than taking the bus.” – Stacey H (Read more reviews)
Equipment is provided to assist as necessary, and there is no technical climbing experience required.
On this Guided Glacier Hike, there are incredible photo opportunities of the Canadian Wilderness. You’ll leave with plenty of lifelong memories!
Location: This tour begins and ends at the parking lot.
Included: The Ice Explorer Tour on the Athabasca Glacier, transportation to and from the Columbia Icefields Glacier Discovery Centre, and admission to the Glacier Skywalk Experience.
What to Bring: Warm coat, sturdy footwear, camera, sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle
3. Glacier Skywalk Admission
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1.5 hours | ✅ Book it!
The Columbia Icefield Skywalk (a.k.a.Glacier Skywalk) offers visitors one of the best glacier views in all of Canada.
While this is not technically a “tour,” it does involve transportation to and from the Glacier Discovery Center, where you can experience a cliff-edge walk, interpretive story-telling, and a glass floor platform.
The platform rises 918 feet above the valley below and has breathtaking views of mountains, waterfalls, wildlife, and more than 100 glaciers.
“Great experience, we were really lucky with the weather, nice sunny day. So picturesque, the mountains in the background and the valley below make for stunning pictures.” – Phil M (Read more reviews)
Location: This tour begins and ends at the Discovery Centre.
Included: The Ice Explorer Tour on the Athabasca Glacier, transportation to and from the Glacier Discovery Centre, and admission to the Glacier Skywalk.
What to Bring: Warm coat, sturdy footwear, camera, sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle.
4. Tread Lightly Glacier Hikes
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours | ✅ Book it!
The Tread Lightly Glacier Hike is undoubtedly a great experience for adventurers and one of the best Athabasca Glacier tours.
The small group guided hike starts off in the parking lot at the base of Snowcoach Road. It’s a small group tour where you can learn about rock, snow, ice, and other geological history of the glacier.
“It was my first time in Jasper and experiencing the glacier and it was above my expectations! The guides were great. Super knowledgeable and friendly. We spent over 4 hours on the glacier. It was amazing. If you can only do one thing in Jasper, I would highly recommend this one!” – Kim P. (Read more reviews)
What sets this tour apart is the guide will look for an opportunity to descend below the ice surface wherever possible for an unforgettable experience, such as exploring some of the ice tunnels that might have developed during the winter.
The tour lasts for about 4 hours.
Location: This tour begins and ends at the parking lot at the start of Snocoach Road.
Included: Use of hiking poles, crampons, footwear
What to Bring: Warm coat, sturdy footwear, camera, sunglasses, sunscreen.
5. Jasper to Banff One Way Tour
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 5 hours | ✅ Book it!
The Jasper Icefields Parkway is an incredible place for sightseeing or a hike of any ability. There are so many locations to visit along the scenic drive from Jasper to Banff.
I did this route on my own, but by the end I was exhausted and could barely keep my eyes open to enjoy the jaw-dropping views.
One of the best ways to enjoy this tour is just to sit back and relax. As a passenger, you can take in all the dramatic scenery along the way.
During this adventure, you will get to see Athabasca Falls, Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier, the Weeping Wall, the Athabasca Glacier, and the Glacier Skywalk.
“Such an informative tour. Our driver Warren made the experience really worthwhile. Scenery was awesome too but learning about the geology and history made my day.” – Michaela V (Read more reviews)
When you stop at the Columbia Icefields Discovery Center, you will gain insight into Alberta’s geology. This is also an opportunity to use the washroom, visit the gift shop, and grab a last-minute coffee or snack before the tour heads up to the Glacier.
This is a small group tour, so you will experience a much more personal level of service. A picnic lunch is also provided for you.
Location: This tour begins with pickup at the Jasper Adventure Centre.
Included: Transportation from Jasper to Banff (one-way) with multiple stops along the way. The Ice Explorer Tour on the Athabasca Glacier, transportation to and from the Glacier Discovery Centre, admission to the Glacier Skywalk. And a picnic lunch.
What to Bring: Warm coat, sturdy footwear, camera, sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle.
Icefield Tours
The Glacier Skywalk
The Glacier Skywalk is a glass-floored bridge type of structure, stretching out to approximately 1 km in length.
Like the Glacier tour, this is a pretty amazing opportunity to view the mountains and valley scenery that stretches out before you.
Not recommended if you are afraid of heights. Walking on glass at such a height can be unnerving.
The Columbia Glacier Icefield Discovery Centre
This is where you will pick up your tickets at the kiosk, and board the ice explorer (snow coach). It is also the location of the Glacier View Lodge.
There are washrooms here, which you’ll want to visit before you start your tour.
There is a large outdoor patio, perfect for enjoying a meal or a beverage. The valley really spreads out in front of you here, it is definitely breathtaking.
The Glacier View Lodge
The Glacier View Lodge is a seasonal hotel situated in the same building as the Discovery Centre. Guests are treated to breathtaking views of the mountains from virtually any room.
There are two restaurants, Altitude and Chalet. Altitude offers Canadian cuisine featuring locally sourced ingredients. Chalet is more of a casual, self-serve dining experience.
There is a Starbucks if you’re looking for a quick coffee with some grab-n-go snack options. It’s worth noting that this is a full Starbucks, not just a coffee kiosk.
What should I bring to do the Glacier tour?
You will definitely need to bring good footwear, and I would recommend hiking boots at the very least. Even better if they have steel grips on the bottoms.
A warm jacket is an excellent choice as well, or perhaps a few layers. You can remove your outer layer if you are too warm.
Sunglasses are a great choice to include on your packing list, as the snow and ice will be very bright in the summer sun.
You will want to bring sunscreen as it can be very hot, despite the fact that you’re walking in the ice and snow.
Don’t forget your water bottle to fill up from one of the glacier fed streams.
A camera for taking pictures of the breath-taking scenery. The contrast of the white from the snow and the blue water will be something you won’t forget anytime soon.
I always pack a snack on an excursion like this as well, you never know when something might cause a significant delay.
Note: You’ll want to visit the washroom prior to boarding the snowcoach and starting the tour. Again, you never know when there might be unexpected delays.
FAQs About Jasper Glacier Tours
Can you walk on a glacier in Jasper?
Yes, you can. But I should clarify that it’s actually in Jasper National Park, south of Jasper town, along the highway often called the Jasper Icefields Parkway.
Is the icefield tour worth it?
Yes it is, very definitely. While it is a little expensive, it’s an excellent tour with a guide in an all-terrain ice explorer, otherwise called a snow coach.
You can opt for the private tour option, a next level experience
How long is the Columbia Icefield tour?
The main tour lasts approximately 90 minutes, from the time you leave the Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre until you return. And it includes a stop at the Skywalk attraction as well.
Can you walk on the Athabasca Glacier without a guide?
You aren’t able to access the glacier with a guide, the area is restricted and carefully controlled.
Can I go to the glacier without a reservation?
You’ll need to go to the glacier along with a tour, it’s the only way to access that particular area. Reserve your ticket online ahead of time whenever possible.Plan ahead to avoid disappointment as this area is very popular with tourists
Where can I see glaciers in Jasper?
The Athabasca Glacier is located within Jasper National Park, about an hour and a half drive south of Jasper town. There you can take a guided snow coach tour up to the glacier. It is approximately an hour north of Lake Louise, and two and a half hours from Banff. You’ll also need a Parks Canada pass.
Is the Icefields Parkway scary to drive?
The Icefields Parkway is a highway that runs primarily north to south, from Jasper to Lake Louise. It is approximately 244 kms, from Jasper National Park to Banff National Park. Very easy to drive in the summer, and really quite beautiful, it can be extremely treacherous in the winter. It is scarcely traveled in the winter and not well maintained. It’s one of the most scenic highways inthe world!
Is Athabasca Glacier the same as Columbia Icefields?
Yes and no. The Athabasca Glacier is actually a part of the overall Columbia Icefields. The most accessible by vehicle, it is referred to as a ‘toe’ of the Icefields.
How long does it take to do the Glacier Skywalk?
The actual bridge is approximately one whole kilometer long and you can go at your own speed, crowd dependent of course.
The guide will advise you as to how much time is allotted.
The Admission to the Glacier Skywalk is included in the price of the Icefield Tour, so you get both attractions in one.
You can do the Skywalk on its own as well, for a cheaper price.
What will you see?
Your Canadian Rockies heli ride will take you over Peyto Lake, the Columbia Icefields Parkway, Maligne Lake (the largest glacier-fed lake in Canada), and even some wildlife. You may see bighorn sheep, bears, deer, elk, and mountain goats!
Conclusion: Jasper Glacier Tourh
Hiking around on an actual glacier is a once in a lifetime experience for many people. It is a remarkable experience.
No matter what kind of tour you choose, you will be wowed by the opportunity to visit such an incredible icon. However, the Ice Explorer Glacier Tour and Glacier Skywalk is my #1 recommendation.
The mountains in Jasper National Park represent some of the most beautiful scenery that Canada has to offer. It takes my breath away every single time.
If you’re looking for a glacier experience coupled with the magnificent Rocky Mountains backdrop, the Jasper Glacier Tour is for you!
More Things To Do in Alberta
- 15 Hotels in Banff With Private Hot Tubs You Won’t Want To Miss!
- Scenic Jasper to Lake Louise Drive via Icefields Parkway: 19 Best Stops
- 19 Best Hikes in Banff National Park
- 5 Best Banff Helicopter Tours
- Banff National Park Itinerary: 1, 3, and 5 Day Guides
- 7 Best Banff White Water Rafting Tours
- 12 Best Jasper Helicopter Tours
More Great Canada Tours
- 13 Best Canada Northern Lights Tour and When to Go
- 21 Best Places to Go Kayaking in Canada
- 11 Epic Sites for Backcountry Camping in Canada
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Canada Travel Planning Guide
🚑 Should I buy Canada travel insurance?
100% YES! — Canada has “free” healthcare but it’s only for citizens! Foreigners visiting need travel insurance in case anything happens on their visit. I recommend World Nomads – starting at just $5 a day!
💧Can you drink the water in Canada?
Yes — In all major cities in Canada, you can drink the tap water. There are very few, rural areas that you can’t. However, you should never drink river or lake water anywhere in the country! I recommend a Brita Water Bottle for long hikes and backcountry camping to stay safe and hydrated.
🚙💨 Is it safe to rent a car in Canada?
Yes — Renting a car is a necessity in most of Canada! If you want to go on road trips or adventures outside of the major cities, you’ll need to rent a car. (Read more)
📲 Will my phone work in Canada?
Maybe — Some American companies work in Canada, but many will not. If your phone doesn’t work in Canada, I recommend getting a Canadian SIM card so you can get around and stay in contact with loved ones. We don’t have a lot of free WIFI in Canada, so you’ll need your phone for maps.
🏩 What’s the best way to book my Canada accommodations?
My go-to for Canadian hotels is Booking.com. For hostels, I use Hostel World. If you want a home-y feeling, check out VRBO (which is cheaper and safer than Airbnb).
Or get free accommodations with Trusted Housesitters!
✈️ What’s the best site to buy Canada flights?
For finding cheap Canadian flights, I recommend Skyscanner.
🎫 Do I need a visa for Canada?
Likely Not — US, UK, and EU passport holders don’t need Canadian visas. However, some other countries do (check here!). And if you plan to stay for more than 4 weeks (an average tourist visa length), you will need to look into visas to live in Canada.
