Looking out over the vast expanse of the Columbia Icefield, you’ll be left in no doubt that this is a true wonder of nature. Surrounded by some of the tallest peaks in the Canadian Rockies, this icefield covers 365 square kilometres, making it the largest in this mountain range. Endless fascinating discoveries await you in this frozen landscape of sweeping ice sheets marked by deep crevasses and rock formations carved over millennia by the glaciers.
Your first port of call should be the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, where you can book a place on a wide variety of tours. Exploring the glaciers without a professional guide can be dangerous, as there are many hidden crevasses. You should never set out on your own.
The Glacier Adventure tour is a popular introductory option. You’ll be taken on a 5-kilometre round trip across the Athabasca Glacier, a stretch of ice 6 kilometres long and 1 kilometre wide, in a specially-designed ice explorer coach. You’ll learn how the constant snowfall compacts into ice, whilst flowing down the slopes at a rate of several centimetres per day.
If you want to truly immerse yourself in this unique environment, nothing beats the guided walking tours. Choose from either full-day or half-day trips, depending on your fitness levels. Your expert guide will explain how the glaciers shape the landscape and climate, and how they provide a vital source of fresh water, ultimately feeding the Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
If you want to go further afield, there are snow coach tours that last up to 14 hours, taking in the spectacularly beautiful Victoria and Crowfoot glaciers, as well as Peyto Lake and Lake Louise.
Back at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, you can refuel at the restaurant, overlooking the stunning landscape. If you want to prolong your experience, the centre also includes a hotel with rooms with a view over either the Athabasca Glacier or the towering mountain peaks. The centre is open between April and October.
The Columbia Icefield lies on the boundary between Jasper National Park and Banff National Park, 108 kilometres south of Japer, along the Icefields Parkway.
