Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure — Attraction in Alberta

Our visit to the Columbia Icefields was absolutely breathtaking! We booked this incredible experience through the Banff Pursuit Package, and it not only made the adventure even more accessible, but it also significantly reduced the overall cost. It was a fantastic deal that allowed us to immerse ourselves in the beauty of the Canadian Rockies without breaking the bank.

This stop at the Columbia Icefields on our way to Jasper was the highlight of our trip. The majesty of the icefields, the thrilling Ice Explorer ride, and the knowledgeable guides truly made this a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The opportunity to walk on a glacier was something we'll cherish forever. A crucial tip for anyone planning to visit this awe-inspiring place: make your reservations early through Pursuit. This ensures you secure your spot and allows you to plan the rest of your journey with confidence. The Columbia Icefields are a must-see, and having a guaranteed reservation takes away any worry about missing out on this remarkable adventure. We're so grateful for the Banff Pursuit Package, which not only made our visit to the Columbia Icefields more affordable but also provided us with a seamless and unforgettable experience. If you're traveling through the Canadian Rockies, don't miss this incredible stop. It's an absolute gem, and you'll be left in absolute awe of the natural beauty that surrounds you Step 1: Start Early Begin your journey early in the day to make the most of your visit and avoid the crowds. The icefields are truly magical in the morning light.

Step 2: Arrive at the Discovery Center Head to the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre, where you'll find all the information you need about the tours, conditions, and safety.

Step 3: Choose Your Adventure Select the tour that suits you best. The Glacier Adventure is an incredible experience, allowing you to venture onto the Athabasca Glacier in a massive Ice Explorer. Fact 1: The Columbia Icefields cover an area of about 325 square kilometers, making them one of the largest icefields in North America.

Step 4: The Ice Explorer Ride Hop aboard the specially designed Ice Explorer. These massive vehicles are equipped to handle the icy terrain, providing a safe and thrilling ride onto the glacier.

Fact 2: The ice on the glacier is as thick as the Eiffel Tower is tall, reaching depths of over 300 meters. Step 5: Guided Walk on the Glacier Once on the glacier, follow your experienced guide on a short walk, where you'll be surrounded by stunning, pristine ice and towering peaks.

Fact 3: The Columbia Icefields are part of the larger Icefields Parkway, renowned as one of the most scenic drives in the world.

Step 6: Learn about the Glacier Listen to your knowledgeable guide, who'll share fascinating information about the glacier's formation, its importance, and the broader ecosystem. Fact 4: The meltwater from the Columbia Icefields feeds into three different oceans: the Atlantic, Arctic, and Pacific.

Step 7: Explore the Skywalk (optional) Consider adding the Glacier Skywalk to your experience. It's a glass-floored observation platform with unmatched views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Fact 5: The Glacier Skywalk is located at a stunning elevation of 918 feet (280 meters) above the Sunwapta Valley. Step 8: Visit the Gift Shop Stop by the gift shop at the Discovery Center to find unique souvenirs and mementos of your...

We did not experience the ice fields as planned and were not reimbursed. It was not a good experience. The Details: On October 2nd, we booked a 4 PM tour at Glacier Ice Fields for Oct 3rd. After visiting Grassy Lakes, hiking in Bow Valley, and stopping at Peyto Lake, we encountered road construction as a one-way bridge caused us to run late. We safely but speedily rushed on and arrived 10 minutes late (at 4:10 PM, specifically at the check-in queue's start). We were asked our appt time, and we stayed at 4 pm and showed him our tickets, he told us no worries, he moved the divider and we went down to the next checkpoint, where a young lady asked the same questions and we answered the same way, she told us to proceed, she scanned the tickets, and we moved outside to the queue waiting for the bus. After waiting 25+ min standing outside in the queue, we boarded the bus. The bus driver started to introduce themself, and two staff members boarded and asked to see everyone’s tickets again. young man and woman came on the bus and asked to see everyone’s tickets because they were full and it seemed like there were more people. And a two other people showed there tickets! We eagerly showed ours to the young man to be compliant and go on with our tour. Eventually, they got a few more people to show them their tickets. However, that changed very quickly after both workers had stepped off the bus. They came back and asked to talk to us. We asked if everything was okay. They asked to see our tickets again and said you could do the sky bridge but not the tour. We asked why, and they stated it was because you were late for your time. We acknowledged that we were 10 minutes late and communicated that openly at each point, and the team told us, “No worries,” “It’s okay.” Everyone else looked at our tickets and scanned them at each checkpoint. Regardless, the lady was short, quite frankly apathetic, and sharp as we expressed this to her. We asked if the policy mirrored what she told us and that we would not get the 200$ CAN we paid for our Tour that we wouldn’t get to do. She walked on as we explained. We inquired respectfully and calmly and decided to communicate with the front desk/information desk individual. We also spoke to someone at the front desk, who asked if we could come back. We told her we were traveling elsewhere in Alberta the following day. We must take ownership of being 10 min late to the queue. It’s somehow outrageous to me that NO ONE took ownership of telling us it was okay at three different points, loading us on a bus, scrolling us off like we were some criminals, and being dismissive of the whole process, leaving us out of $200 CAN. The attitudes, disorganization, and lack of communication amongst the staff seem to leave the customer with not just a bad experience but fewer funds, more questions than answers, and shame. We request a full refund. Our driver(s) and the staff at the sky walk were incredible. We were glad that we were able to do that. The Starbucks was well managed and the staff was prompt,...

First, I would like to mention our driver, Brooke, from Australia, as she said her mom reads these reviews to find her name. She was a delight, entertaining, and was very good at what she does!

The place where you go to get buses to the glacier is up a large number of stairs, which can be difficult to get up if you are not in the best shape. Inside, there are some displays of information about the glacier and the ice field, several cafes, a gift shop, and a place to buy tickets if you did not get them in advance. I strongly recommend advance purchase. Your ticket, unless you don't buy that option, also gets you to a glass bridge that is quite scary if you don't like heights.

Your reservation time is announced, and you will go to a boarding area. There are a lot of people here who do not speak English or French, and there can be a lot of confusion. You are loaded into a regular bus to get to the place where you go to board the specially designed vehicles that actually go onto the glacier. The drivers will give you some facts and figures about the glacier and themselves, and are entertaining and amusing. It's a short drive to the staging area, where you are herded aboard the glacier vehicles. There are shoulder and seat belts on these vehicles, which are required. Don't worry if you are (ahem) larger in the waist; they will fit just fine! You are then driven up to the actual glacier, getting safety warnings and more information about the experience. You are given 30 minutes on the glacier, which will be enough, especially if the weather is icky! We got some "lovely" sideways rain. There are many things to photograph there, and there is a stream that you are encouraged to fill an empty water flask from (don't forget to bring one). When your guide hollers that it's time to go, you get back on the vehicle and it all happens in reverse.

It's a unique experience, and it's all designed to maximize the number of people to experience it. Bearing that in mind, you sometimes feel like you are part of a herd, but it's worth it to actually stand on a glacier. Do dress for the occasion! Layer up, as the weather can be unpredictable. There are gloves, hats, and warmer options in the gift shop...