This is a must stop, especially if you have children, are interested in history, climate, wildlife, or the science behind glaciers. It is very family friendly and is wheelchair and stroller accessible. They have five Ice Explorers equipped with wheelchair lifts to bring guests out onto the glacier if you are interested. If would like to request assistance, please contact them at least 48 hours in advance if possible. You will want to spend most of your day here, as there is so much to see and do. I recommend you purchase your tickets in advance if you are wanting to experience the Ice Explorer. A Columbia Icefield Adventure Admission ticket includes both the Ice Explorer Glacier Tour and the Skywalk Admission. Tickets sell out well in advance and many are disappointed to find out they won’t be able to make it out onto the glacier because tickets are sold out when they arrive. Tickets are nonrefundable and a time of the tour will be assigned to you once you arrive. After the Ice Explorer Glacier tour they will take you to the Skywalk and then back to the Glacier Discovery Centre. So you will begin and end your tour from the center. You should allow at least three hours for the entire tour. If you do happen to miss out on the Ice Explorer Glacier tour, you can still buy just the Skywalk ticket. And if the cost is just too much for you, at least visit the Glacier Discovery Centre and learn from the exhibits and the theatre about the science behind glaciers. 

The Ice Explorer Glacier tour is a large truck that takes you out onto the 400 year old ice with an interpretive guide. Although you may access the bottom of the glacier from the road, glaciers can be dangerous and hide crevasses that you may not see. You should always go with a guide that knows the glacier and where you can safely walk. On this interpretive guide you will learn about glaciology and be able to step right out onto the glacier itself. Make sure to dress in layers and wear flat, comfortable shoes with a good grip on the soles, like sneakers or hiking boots. Wear sunscreen and bring an empty water bottle so you can taste the glacier water. Don’t forget your camera, as you will want pictures. The time on the glacier itself is about 20 minutes, but the drive in the truck is very interesting and quite fun. 

In learning a little about its history, Athabasca Glacier is the largest ice field in the Rocky Mountains and the largest non-polar ice fields in the world. Glaciers are rivers of ice that move very slowly over years and tell us many things about our past and our future. At the Glacier Discovery Center you will learn about the impact on our regional environment through a self guided tour about how glaciers move, the importance in climate research, sky gazing and star watching, and even information about local wildlife. You can also watch a film called “Through Ice and Time” at the theatre inside the Parks Canada Glacier Gallery.

The Skywalk is a glass-floored platform approximately 918 feet above the valley floor. It reaches out about 115 feet from the cliff’s face edge. Some may be frightened seeing all the way to the floor, so give people time to adjust as you wait. They give you hand held speaker systems you carry with you as you go through the interpretive area and interactive displays. Here you will learn about the mountains, waterfall, rivers, and wildlife before entering the glass bottom Skywalk. 

The best times to visit the Columbia Icefields are prior to 11 a.m. or after 3 p.m. You have more chances for wildlife sightings and crowds are less. There are two restaurants, which are a little pricey, a gift shop, and even a lodge to spend the night in. I would recommend reservations in advance if you are wanting lodging. One thing I will say, although lodging is not necessary, this will be a long exhausting day to visit the center and drive back to Banff, or on to Jasper if you chose. Be prepared. Pack lots of water, food and snacks, and give yourself periods for rest. I highly recommend the experience, even though I have seen nicer glaciers, the ride in the Ice Explorer Glacier truck was the highlight of my day.