Banff to Athabasca Glacier Full-Day Ice Explorer Tour
Explore the dramatic glaciers of Banff National Park on this adventurous Athabasca Glacier tour. Along the way, get a first-hand look at the key role these huge ice formations played in shaping the sweeping valleys, colorful alpine lakes, and soaring peaks of the region. After pickup from central Banff, sit back and enjoy the ride along the Icefields Parkway, one of the world’s most scenic drives. Because you don’t have to navigate or watch the road, this tour lets you focus on the mountains towering above. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife at the edges of the forest. Dig into a hearty mountain picnic and take a photo stop at Bow Lake, one of the largest lakes in Banff National Park, against the backdrop of the Crowfoot Glacier. Climb aboard the Ice Explorer and drive across the surface of this glittering sheet of ice. Getting thirsty? You have a chance to drink pure, cold water straight from the glacier. You'll also walk the glass floor Glacier Skywalk, hanging from the edge of the Sunwapta Valley, for unparalleled views of the canyon below and mountains around you. Please note: This tour is seasonal, operating May through October.
Highlights
- ✓Leave the logistics to someone else on this day trip to Athabasca Glacier
- ✓Get up close and personal with Banff's UNESCO-listed scenery
- ✓Lunch is included for your convenience
- ✓Take part in an Ice Explorer tour and Glacier Skywalk, all in one trip
What you'll see & do
- ✓Departing from the centre, you'll climb aboard the Ice Explorer (a six-wheeled behemoth of a vehicle) and drive across the surface of this glittering sheet of ice. Getting thirsty? You’ll have a chance to drink pure, cold water straight from the glacier. Them, be transported to the glass floor Glacier Skywalk, hanging from the edge of the Sunwapta Valley at 918-foot (280 m), for unparalleled views of the canyon below and mountains around you.
- ✓This tour travels halfway along the world-famous Icefields Parkway, recognized as one of the top drives in the world passing numerous Rocky Mountain peaks, glaciers, waterfalls and emerald lakes.
- ✓A brief stop provides one of the day’s many up close glacier views.
- ✓You will visit Bow Lake, one of Banff National Park's largest lakes. Bow Lake is fed by meltwater from the Bow Glacier in the Wapta Icefield and lies at the base of Bow Summit.
What's included
- ✓Professional guide
- ✓Default pick up is from the public bus parking located behind the Mount Royal Hotel.
- ✓Small group tour (maximum of 24 guests)
- ✓Hotel pick up and drop off is available on request, please contact us directly.
- ✓Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure: Ice Explorer! Tour and Glacier Skywalk
- ✓Picnic lunch - options available, please contact 403-760-5007 to select
What's not included
- ✓Gratuities
Good to know
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Infant rates do not include lunch
Early and late season road / trail closures may limit access to some areas.
Group bookings of 9 or more guests have a 7 day cancellation period.
Every pickup point has a unique pickup time. Guests must be ready at their selected pickup point 5 minutes prior. Banff Rocky Mountain Resort at 7:25 AM Canalta Lodge at 7:30 AM Banff Caribou Lodge at 7:31 AM Fox Hotel & Suites at 7:32 AM Red Carpet Inn at 7:33 AM Douglas Fir at 7:36 AM Banff Ptarmigan Inn at 7:40 AM Mount Royal Hotel (Public Bus Parking behind hotel) at 7:42 AM Rimrock Resort at 7:50 AM Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (Motorcoach Entrance) at 7:55 AM Banff Train Station at 8:00 AM Juniper Hotel at 8:05 AM If no pickup is selected, your pick up will be defaulted to meet at the public bus parking behind the Mount Royal Hotel at 7:42 AM.
Cancellation policy
This experience is non-refundable — once booked, it can’t be changed or refunded.
Banff to Athabasca Glacier Full-Day Ice Explorer Tour
Explore the dramatic glaciers of Banff National Park on this adventurous Athabasca Glacier tour. Along the way, get a first-hand look at the key role these huge ice formations played in shaping the sweeping valleys, colorful alpine lakes, and soaring peaks of the region. After pickup from central Banff, sit back and enjoy the ride along the Icefields Parkway, one of the world’s most scenic drives. Because you don’t have to navigate or watch the road, this tour lets you focus on the mountains towering above. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife at the edges of the forest. Dig into a hearty mountain picnic and take a photo stop at Bow Lake, one of the largest lakes in Banff National Park, against the backdrop of the Crowfoot Glacier. Climb aboard the Ice Explorer and drive across the surface of this glittering sheet of ice. Getting thirsty? You have a chance to drink pure, cold water straight from the glacier. You'll also walk the glass floor Glacier Skywalk, hanging from the edge of the Sunwapta Valley, for unparalleled views of the canyon below and mountains around you. Please note: This tour is seasonal, operating May through October.
Highlights
- ✓Leave the logistics to someone else on this day trip to Athabasca Glacier
- ✓Get up close and personal with Banff's UNESCO-listed scenery
- ✓Lunch is included for your convenience
- ✓Take part in an Ice Explorer tour and Glacier Skywalk, all in one trip
What you'll see & do
- ✓Departing from the centre, you'll climb aboard the Ice Explorer (a six-wheeled behemoth of a vehicle) and drive across the surface of this glittering sheet of ice. Getting thirsty? You’ll have a chance to drink pure, cold water straight from the glacier. Them, be transported to the glass floor Glacier Skywalk, hanging from the edge of the Sunwapta Valley at 918-foot (280 m), for unparalleled views of the canyon below and mountains around you.
- ✓This tour travels halfway along the world-famous Icefields Parkway, recognized as one of the top drives in the world passing numerous Rocky Mountain peaks, glaciers, waterfalls and emerald lakes.
- ✓A brief stop provides one of the day’s many up close glacier views.
- ✓You will visit Bow Lake, one of Banff National Park's largest lakes. Bow Lake is fed by meltwater from the Bow Glacier in the Wapta Icefield and lies at the base of Bow Summit.
What's included
- ✓Professional guide
- ✓Default pick up is from the public bus parking located behind the Mount Royal Hotel.
- ✓Small group tour (maximum of 24 guests)
- ✓Hotel pick up and drop off is available on request, please contact us directly.
- ✓Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure: Ice Explorer! Tour and Glacier Skywalk
- ✓Picnic lunch - options available, please contact 403-760-5007 to select
What's not included
- ✓Gratuities
Good to know
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Infant rates do not include lunch
Early and late season road / trail closures may limit access to some areas.
Group bookings of 9 or more guests have a 7 day cancellation period.
Every pickup point has a unique pickup time. Guests must be ready at their selected pickup point 5 minutes prior. Banff Rocky Mountain Resort at 7:25 AM Canalta Lodge at 7:30 AM Banff Caribou Lodge at 7:31 AM Fox Hotel & Suites at 7:32 AM Red Carpet Inn at 7:33 AM Douglas Fir at 7:36 AM Banff Ptarmigan Inn at 7:40 AM Mount Royal Hotel (Public Bus Parking behind hotel) at 7:42 AM Rimrock Resort at 7:50 AM Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (Motorcoach Entrance) at 7:55 AM Banff Train Station at 8:00 AM Juniper Hotel at 8:05 AM If no pickup is selected, your pick up will be defaulted to meet at the public bus parking behind the Mount Royal Hotel at 7:42 AM.
Cancellation policy
This experience is non-refundable — once booked, it can’t be changed or refunded.