Columbia Icefield and the Athabasca Glacier
The Columbia Icefield is the largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies. The Athabasca Glacier is one of the tongues of ice that flow out of it, and it lies opposite the Icefield Centre. People often use the two names for the same thing, but they are not the same. No single bus ride shows you the whole icefield.
You reach the area on the Icefields Parkway, in the southern part of Jasper National Park near the Banff boundary. A park pass is required for the drive, and a Discovery Pass covers Jasper and Banff. Adults aged 18 to 64 pay CA$12.25 per day in 2026.
Our picks: Columbia Icefield tours
The glacier ride with the Skywalk is the usual choice, the Skywalk alone is the short option, and the guided hike is for people who want to walk on the ice with spikes and a guide.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Guided hike on the glacier with spikes
- Guide on the glacier
- Microspikes
- Transfer to the trailhead
Three hours on the ice with a guide, only ever with a guide. Microspikes are provided, and rain gear, poles, boots, gloves and a hat if you need them; bring your own warm layers.
Check availability →
Athabasca Glacier ride and Skywalk
- Guided glacier ride
- Skywalk entry
- Shuttle at the Icefield
A guided ride onto the Athabasca Glacier with live commentary, plus entry to the Skywalk with an audio guide. The glacier and Skywalk run in summer only, so check the dates; getting to the Discovery Centre is up to you.
Check availability →Skywalk entry with audio guide
- Skywalk entry
- Multilingual audio guide
- Return shuttle
Entry to the glass-floored Skywalk above the valley, with a multilingual audio guide and the shuttle there and back. It does not include a ride onto the glacier, and the Skywalk is a summer attraction.
Check availability →Columbia Icefield tours and Skywalk
Glacier tours, Skywalk tickets and Icefields Parkway day trips, with live prices and availability.
Columbia Icefield tour: what it involves
The tour takes you out onto the Athabasca Glacier by vehicle.
Length and hours
Plan 2 to 3 hours for the glacier tour. Departures spread over the day, with no fixed interval. In 2026 the tour ran from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. between 1 May and 14 June, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. between 15 June and 30 September, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. between 1 and 12 October.
Tickets
Tickets are sold for the tour, and the park pass does not include them. Check the current price and the departure times for your date when you book. There is no general reservation rule for visiting the Icefield Centre itself.
Season
The season is short and depends on weather and snow. In October the information desk at the Icefield Centre is closed for the season, while the trail to the toe of the glacier stays open.
Columbia Icefield Skywalk
The Skywalk is a separate visit from the glacier tour. Plan 1 to 2 hours for it. In 2026 it opened from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. between 1 May and 14 June, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. between 15 June and 6 September, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. between 7 and 30 September, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. between 1 and 12 October.
Seasons shift from year to year and shorten when snow arrives early. Treat these dates as the pattern for the 2026 season and check the dates for your trip before you drive out. Fill your tank before you leave Jasper.
Athabasca Glacier ice walk and safety on the ice
The glacier looks tame from the road. It is not.
Never go alone
Do not walk onto the glacier without a suitable guide, and do not cross barriers. Hidden crevasses are the main danger, and people have died on this ice. Experienced mountaineers can travel on glaciers, but a casual visitor should not.
Guided ice walks
Certified ACMG mountain guides lead walks on the glacier. A guided ice walk is the way to step onto the ice on foot. Check what the walk includes, such as equipment and meeting point, before you book.
The glacier is shrinking
The whole Columbia Icefield lost 13.3 percent of its ice mass between 1985 and 2024. That figure is for the icefield, not for the Athabasca Glacier alone.
Ways to see the icefield compared
2026 patterns, with the time you should plan.
| Option | Time | 2026 season | On the ice? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glacier tour | 2–3 hours | 1 May to 12 October | Yes, on the glacier in a vehicle |
| Skywalk | 1–2 hours | 1 May to 12 October | No, a viewing platform |
| Guided ice walk | – | – | Yes, on foot with a certified guide |
| Roadside view and Toe of the Glacier Trail | – | Open into October | No, in front of the glacier |
For most visitors the best mix is the glacier tour and the Skywalk on the same day. Choose the guided ice walk if you want to walk on the ice yourself.
Getting there and what to bring
The Parkway is 232 km long between Jasper and Lake Louise.
Icefields Parkway
Stops, fuel and winter rules for the road to the glacier.
Athabasca Falls
A short stop on the way to or from the icefield.
Weather and best time
Monthly averages, and why the glacier is colder than town.
The temperature at the glacier is lower than in town, so bring a warm layer even in July. Mobile coverage along the Parkway is patchy, so download maps first. From 1 November you need winter tires or chains. If you drive on towards Banff, see Banff for the other end of the road.
Columbia Icefield: frequently asked questions
Is the Columbia Icefield the same as the Athabasca Glacier?
No. The Athabasca Glacier is one outlet of the icefield. The icefield is much larger.
When does the glacier tour run?
In 2026 the tour and the Skywalk ran from 1 May to 12 October, weather permitting. Check the dates for your own trip.
Can I walk on the Athabasca Glacier by myself?
No. Do not go onto the ice without a suitable guide, and do not cross the barriers. Crevasses are hidden under the surface.
Do I need a park pass to visit the icefield?
Yes. You need a pass for the Icefields Parkway even if you only drive it. A day pass costs CA$12.25 for adults in 2026, and a Discovery Pass covers Jasper and Banff.
How long should I plan for the visit?
Allow 2 to 3 hours for the glacier tour and 1 to 2 hours for the Skywalk. Add the drive from Jasper and a stop at the falls on the way.