What are the hours of operation at the Columbia Icefield? Your Columbia Icefield Skywalk admission includes: shuttle transportation between the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre and the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, a hand-held audio guide available in a variety of languages as well as access to the interpretive walkway and the glass-floor platform. You can request a group booking by contacting our reservations team at attractions@pursuitcollection.com or by calling 1.866.532.6150. Hiking boots and running shoes are best. Yes. Please note schedules may change pending the time of year. The Columbia Icefield is located on the Icefields Parkway, approximately two hours north of Banff on the Trans-Canada Highway, and one hour south from the town of Jasper. Guests will be exposed to a world where glaciers rest above and birds soar below. Pursuit's Covid Safety Promise is our commitment to the safety and well-being of our guests and staff. However, we ask that you be cautious while riding to the Skywalk as the highway is narrow and will have a fair amount of traffic, including buses and cars. The Columbia Icefield is the largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies, covering some 230 sq km (89 sq mi) to a depth of 365 m (1,200 ft) and some 28 km (17 mi) long. Guests will need to use the washrooms at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, before or after their visit on the Columbia Icefield Adventure and Skywalk. Pursuit is a collection of inspiring and unforgettable experiences in iconic places including Alaska, Montana, the Canadian Rockies, Vancouver, Reykjavík, Las Vegas (opening in 2021) and Toronto (opening in 2022). Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. From Jasper, travel 108 km south on the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 N) to the Columbia Icefield. The Columbia Icefield Skywalk is so much more than a glass-floored platform—it is a 1- km walkway that provides unique views of mountaintop glaciers, waterfalls, wildlife and fossils, all accompanied by Pursuit’s engaging interpretive storytelling. The Columbia Icefield is currently closed for winter. 30, 2020 Hi BillC413 Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! Booking your tickets instead of waiting until you get up the Columbia Icefields is a safer option, particularly in peak season. However, we are at the will of nature and therefore appropriate closed-toe footwear is recommend. The Discovery Vista (glass-floored platform) extends 35 metres (115 feet) out from the edge of the cliff face. Admission for youth 17 and under is free. Support this operator. About Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure. The Columbia Icefield is situated on the continental divide in the Canadian Rockies at elevations of 10,000 to 13,000 feet (3,000 to 4,000 metres) above sea level. The Columbia Icefield Adventure departs from the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre, located on the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 N)—1 hour south of Jasper and 2.5 hours north of Banff. Support this operator. We offer pick-up & drop-off service at most of the major hotels in downtown Calgary & Banff. You will have approximately 30 to 60 minutes at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre. Our cancellation policy is more flexible than ever allowing you to cancel your trip up to 2 days before it begins. The bus from Banff, AB to Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, AB takes 3h 20m including transfers and departs once daily. The Dig-Out is a month-long process that requires support from the whole team. Brewster Sightseeing tours provide tours from Calgary, Banff & Jasper that include the Columbia Icefield Adventure. 2.5 to 3 hours round-trip. Our cancellation policy is more flexible than ever allowing you to cancel your trip up to 2 days before it begins. “This year, around the Centre we have drifts of up to 2 metres (6.5 feet) and more than 4 metres (13 ft) as we make our way out onto the glacier,” says Director of Operations, Sean Wall. The Icefields Parkway has been recognized as one of the most scenic drives in the world, with over 100 visible glaciers, turquoise lakes, rushing waterfalls and numerous hiking trails, picnic spots and campgrounds. Pursuit is a collection of inspiring and unforgettable experiences in iconic places including Alaska, Montana, the Canadian Rockies, Vancouver, Reykjavík, Las Vegas (opening in 2021) and Toronto (opening in 2022). There are two restaurants, a gift shop, the Parks Canada Glacier Gallery, and the Glacier View Inn all located in the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre. Read What Not to Bring to the Columbia Icefield for more information. However, guests are welcome to spend as much or as little time at the Columbia Icefield Skywalk as they like. Recommended option. From Bow Valley Basics 39 min; From Quality Resort Chateau Canmore 38 min; From The Lady Macdonald Country Inn 35 min; From Juggle Marketing, Canmore 43 min; From Green Chili 40 min The memories we create for our guests aren’t typical —every experience is unique, personal and unforgettable. Through this program, we will ensure that everyone feels safe at our experiences so that the power of our places can shine through. What should I wear or bring on the Columbia Icefield Adventure? During that time, we encourage all of our guests to be safe and stay within the designated areas. Seasonal Dates Of Operation, Hours And Rates For the Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure No reservation is required for the Ice Explorer. These ticket agents will be scanning the tickets before guests can enter the interpretive trail. The queue hallway will be divided — one side for the Columbia Icefield Adventure guests and one side for the Skywalk guests. Seventy-two hours’ notice of arrival is required, ensuring ample time and to accommodate the schedules of guests with accessibility needs. Through this program, we will ensure that everyone feels safe at our experiences so that the power of our places can shine through. If guests do the full trail from one end to the other and back, they will be walking 800 metres (½ mile). Can I do the Columbia Icefield Skywalk as a single experience? All vehicles must park at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre when visiting the Columbia Icefield Adventure and Skywalk. Find all the transport options for your trip from Calgary to Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure right here. About Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure. For up-to-date Columbia Icefield daily operating hours please visit the Hours & Rates page. Spend 10 days exploring, adventuring and reconnecting with yourself and those on the river with you, 10 days that will be with you for the rest of your life! What is included with my admission to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk? sneakers, hiking boots). Banff to Columbia icefield bus services, operated by Brewster Express, depart from Banff, AB station. We recommend to plan 2.5 hours to do both the Glacier Adventure and the Skywalk all together, which gives plenty of time to enjoy the sights and interpretive components both on the glacier and Skywalk. Kate Culos Front Office & Logistics Manager Columbia Icefield Adventure How high up is the Columbia Icefield Skywalk glass-floor platform? Not willing to test your nerve on the glass? The safety of our guests is our biggest priority. Our website uses cookies. Those who have purchased the Columbia Icefield Adventure will depart for the Skywalk directly from the transfer bays when arriving back from the Glacier. Glaciers in… Click on the Bus route to see step by step directions with maps, line arrival times and updated time schedules. Leaving Jasper, travel 108 km (67 miles) south on the Icefields Parkway Highway 93N to the Columbia Icefield. Learn all about how Glaciers helped form the Rocky Mountains and how they still support the diverse wildlife that inhabits them. The memories we create for our guests aren’t typical —every experience is unique, personal and unforgettable. Please note the Columbia Icefield Adventure is temporarily closed. At the heart of the incredible Icefields Parkway is one of the largest non-polar ice fields in the world. On average the Ice Explorer portion is 1.5 hours in length, this is a fully guided experience expect for 15-20 minutes that guests are welcomed out onto the surface of the glacier to explore a portion of the glacier. Columbia Icefield Adventure includes Ice Explorer Tour on the Athabasca Glacier, admission to the Skywalk, and return transportation from the Glacier Discovery Centre. If you have a purse or a backpack, you can bring that along too. Tours depart every hour from the Columbia Icefield Centre. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Please see our complete information page for more information on our Safety Promise. While guests will be sure to see a lot from the Columbia Icefield Skywalk (mountains, waterfalls, rivers and wildlife), the experience is so much more! For walk-in service we will do our best to accommodate based upon available resources and tour availability. The Columbia Icefield is located in the Canadian Rockies. Closed for the season Please note the Columbia Icefield Adventure is closed for the 2020-2021 winter season. In Banff and Jasper, we have introduced stringent cleaning and safety protocols to safely operate for all travelers who visit Banff and Jasper. Prebook Your Glacier Adventure Tickets. Based on countless guest requests since the Columbia Icefield Skywalk was launched, we have combined our two iconic Columbia Icefield attractions to provide a more fulsome glacier experience and to reduce time in line ups at the Glacier Discovery Center. What will I be able to see from the Columbia Icefield Skywalk? Visitors to the Skywalk must take the included shuttle from the Centre. Jasper National Park, Canada. 2.5 to 3 hours round-trip. How long does it take to get from Banff to Columbia icefield? Jasper National Park, Canada. Your support will go a long way in helping tour operators worldwide get back on their feet down the road. From Banff, travel 55 km west on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) to Lake Louise. How long will we spend at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre? We encourage all guests to bring their cameras, phones, video recording devices and record their memories and moments at the Columbia Icefield Adventure and Skywalk. How long is the Skywalk interpretive trail? For available discounts and packages, please visit one of our Pursuit Adventure Centre Locations or inquire directly at one of our attraction ticket desks. You are more than welcome to bike to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. No, pets are unfortunately not allowed on the Columbia Icefield Adventure or Skywalk. You can expect the temperature to be about 15° Celsius (27° F) cooler on the glacier than at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre. Then travel 125 km north from Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 N) to the Columbia Icefield. Do you accept group reservations for the Columbia Icefield Adventure? April 15-29th 10am to 4pm, April 30-May 27th 10am to 5pm May … Such unusual, severe weather would include lightning, blizzard conditions, severe rain or extreme winds. We ask that visitors stay within the clearly-marked area as this section is regularly maintained and has been deemed safe. See the Columbia Icefield Skywalk page for more information. Drive • 1h 39m. Yes, for those short on time the Columbia Icefield Skywalk can be purchased as a separate experience giving you an incredible Rocky Mountain experience in less than an hour. Learning opportunities are all around. Are there washroom facilities on site at the Columbia Icefield? It is 125 square miles (325 square kilometres) and the glaciers can reach up to 1,198ft (365 metres) deep. No. The Columbia Icefield is situated along the Icefields Parkway, the highway that joins Banff and Jasper National Parks, just past the halfway point on the Jasper side. The length of the interpretive trail is 400 metres (¼ mile) from one end to the other. Therefore, we will have a ticket booth and agents stationed at the Columbia Icefield Skywalk to allow people to purchase tickets last minute. Who Should Go? Sightseeing Tours . Yes! Is it possible to walk on the glacier during the Columbia Icefield Adventure? We recommend 40 to 45 minutes. The Columbia Icefield Skywalk is only accessible by a free shuttle from the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre. Jasper National Park Tourism; Jasper National Park Hotels; Bed and Breakfast Jasper National Park; Jasper National Park Holiday Rentals; Flights to Jasper National Park The Columbia Icefield Adventure departs from the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre, located on the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 N)—1 hour south of Jasper and 2.5 hours north of Banff. It includes the large Athabasca Glacier, which is nearly five miles long and about a mile wide. While we trust that our guests are responsible pet owners with wonderful, friendly pets, we would like to avoid the risk of a panicked animal endangering itself or other guests. Your support will go a long way in helping tour operators worldwide get back on their feet down the road. Our website uses cookies. How long can I stay on the Athabasca Glacier? Please check back in spring for our new hours. How many people do the Ice Explorers and shuttle buses hold? Recommended option. Photo: Almost ready to give the all-clear at the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. We inspire travelers and each other. How is COVID-19 affecting travel and bookings in Banff and Jasper? The Columbia Icefield is a unique ecosystem and weather can easily change from sunshine to snow in a matter of minutes. Can I bike to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk? While we encourage all guests to purchase their tickets prior to boarding the shuttle bus, the bus itself is free. We learned a lot on our mini-adventure! 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. Halfway through the tour, you will be able to step out onto the ancient ice of the Athabasca Glacier. Please note schedules may change pending the time of year. OUR COVID SAFETY PROMISE & FLEXIBLE CANCELLATION POLICY. Drive • 1h 26m. Response from KateCulos, Front Office Manager at Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure Responded Jun. We never stop searching for the places we're passionate about, connections we value and moments that bring us joy. In March 1932, three men undertook a remarkable skiing journey from Jasper to … Which happens to be the most accessible glacier in Banff National Park and well worth a stop. The Glacier Skywalk is self-guided, however, the average time spent at the Skywalk is 45 minutes. Learn More. Is it free to enter Banff and Jasper National Parks? Please check-in at least 30 minutes before your tour starts. OUR COVID SAFETY PROMISE & FLEXIBLE CANCELLATION POLICY. You’ll travel on a massive Ice Explorer to a place where you can walk on, feel and drink from the Athabasca Glacier. During his 63-day visit to the Columbia Icefield, Ostheimer and his two companions walked over a 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) and climbed thirty peaks—twenty-five of which were first ascents. These capacities are currently limited at 50% due to Covid-19. More. Leaving Banff, travel 55 km (34 miles) west on the Trans-Canada Highway #1 to Lake Louise. That’s okay as there are many other great viewing areas within the Columbia Icefield Skywalk to take in inspirational mountain vistas without stepping out onto the glass. 2,739 reviews #14 of 39 Tours in Jasper National Park. Yes! How often do the Columbia Icefield Adventure tours depart? Will there be someone collecting tickets at the Columbia Icefield Skywalk? More details Where do I catch the Banff to Columbia icefield bus from? 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