6/30/2023 0 Comments Athabasca falls jasper weather![]() The peak is one of many in the Canadian Rockies famous for reaching an altitude of 11,000 feet. From the top, you can spot countless glaciers, icefields, and many of Alberta’s highest peaks. ![]() The views are breathtaking in more ways than one. To reach the summit requires a long hike to a technical glacier crossing and then up an exposed face or col. Mount Athabasca looms over Athabasca Glacier, but only a few get to see the view from the top. If you’re scared of heights it may make your heart skip a beat as the view down to the valley floor 300 meters below can be dizzying. No need to worry about safety as these glass panels are literally bulletproof and then some. You follow along through an audio guide that is available in a wide range of languages that should cover most visitors.Īfter, walk to the glass-bottomed bridge, it’s a short, but thrilling walk for many as they peer down on the valley far below. ![]() The Skywalk is a kilometer long walk that first moves along interactive displays where guests learn about the natural process that formed the Rockies along with the fossils. It’s 6 km away from the Glacier Discovery Center and does not offer much in terms of views of the Athabasca Glacier, but instead the Sunwapta Valley. Tickets for the experiences operate on time slots so it’s best to purchase your tickets in advance to avoid a long wait or the tickets being sold out entirely.Īccording to your ticketed time, you’ll board a bus at the Glacier Discovery Center that will drive you to the Skywalk. The Columbia Icefield Skywalk is a glass-bottomed bridge that’s just north of the Athabasca Icefield, and is a popular stop on the Icefield Parkway. We highly recommend booking an Ice Walk tour and not try to walk on the glacier on your own. The “Ice Walk” tours across the Athabasca Glacier require advanced booking with the local tour company. Though it is recommended to book these in advance online if visiting during peak season. From the center, you can book tickets on the Ice Explorer or Columbia Icefield Skywalk. A lodge, gift shop, cafeteria, theatre, fine dining experience, and tour center are all located at the center. The Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre serves as a hub for visitors who seek a closer look at the glacier. ![]() Visitors to the Skywalk must take the included shuttle from the Centre. **All vehicles must park at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre when visiting the Columbia Icefield Adventure and Skywalk. Along the way you’ll pass so many great stops like Bow Lake and Peyto Lake, so make sure to read out guide for the best stopsįrom Jasper, travel 108 km south on the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 N) to the Columbia Icefield. Then it’s another 125 km north from Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield. The Glacier Discovery Centre is located on the Icefields Parkway-1 hour south of Jasper and 2.5 hours north of Banff.įrom Banff, travel 55 km west on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) to Lake Louise. These peaks sit along the continental divide and most notable is Snow Dome where water flows to either the Pacific, Atlantic, or the Arctic Ocean. The Athabasca Glacier is a large toe that extends down from the Columbia Icefield.Īthabasca Glacier sits at the base of several notable peaks such as Mount Athabasca, Andromeda, and Snow Dome. The Icefield forms a high altitude ice-cap that lies on a plateau. The Columbia Icefield is the largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies and covers around 230 sq km (89 sq mi) at depths up to 265 meters (1,200 ft). Let’s break down some helpful tips for visiting the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield. It’s likely you’ll want to visit the Columbia Icefield when in the Canadian Rockies, as it’s one of the best things to do in Banff. ![]() Here lies the opportunity to stand on a glacier, a once in a lifetime experience. The Columbia Icefields Discovery Center acts as the gateway for many visitors with interactive exhibits, tours, and features such as the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. It is arguably the most accessible glacier in North America and offers visitors a chance to get up close and personal to an earth-shaping wonder. The Athabasca Glacier is a massive glacial toe to the expansive Columbia Icefield that sits on the British Columbia-Alberta border in Canada. ![]()
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