Columbia Icefield Adventure

The drive to get here on the Icefields Parkway is an experience unto itself. Dotted with more than 100 ancient glaciers, waterfalls and wildlife, it is no surprise that the Parkway is one of the world's top drives as noted by National Geographic and Condé Nast Traveller. 


Tours begin here at the Glacier Discovery Centre, located in the heart of Jasper National Park.  

On average, the Discovery Centre and Columbia Icefield Adventure tour welcome one million visitors per year! 

Click and drag to see 360 degree views, and navigate through this virtual tour by clicking on the arrows. For the best experience, click on the two little arrows in the bottom right hand corner to enter full screen mode. 

Enjoy! 


Welcome! 

Glacier Discovery Centre

While traveling in the Ice Explorer en-route to the glacier, the tour guide tells a fascinating sightseeing story about the sub-alpine and alpine regions, geological facts, notable mountains and other glaciers that are visible during this tour.

A free audio app is available in 7 languages so guests don't miss any of the tour details. 

Ice Explorer

You are now standing on a 10,000 year old ever-changing glacier which forms a toe of the Columbia Icefield. 
Glacier Facts: 
- Elevation: 2,297 m (7,540 ft)
- 5 km (3 mi) long and 1 km (0.6 mi) wide
- Thickness: 90 - 300 m (300 - 980 ft)
- Avg. snowfall: 7 m (23 ft)
- Multiple glaciers and part of the Snow Dome are visible from here
- The tour path and viewpoint changes every year to minimize impact and give returning guests something different to see each year 

Welcome to the Athabasca Glacier! 

The most comprehensive way to experience this area is to head to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk next. 

After leaving the glacier, guests will transfer from the Ice Explorer to a luxury tour bus for a 10 minute journey to the trailhead. 

These specially-designed vehicles were made to travel on ice in a safe way that minimizes the impact to the glacier. 

Key Facts: 

- Each vehicle can transport up to 56 passengers
- One quarter of the fleet are extra-long and equipped with wheelchair lifts. 
- Only 22 of these vehicles exist in the world
- 2 Ice Explorers are found at a Scientific Station in Antarctica
- The remainder of the fleet are found here at the Athabasca Glacier
- The Pursuit fleet is undergoing an upgrade: all vehicles are being replaced with an engine designed by Mercedes Benz which has already reduced our emissions by 50%

Ice Explorer Vehicle

Athabasca Glacier

This 800 m (0.5 mi) interpretive trail features interactive displays, roving guides and an audio app available in 7 languages. The Skywalk experience teaches guests about the geology, biology, and history of this spectacular place. 
Key Facts: 
- Fully paved, flat walk
- Fully accessible for walkers, wheelchairs and strollers
- Admission includes shuttle transportation from the Glacier Discovery Center
- During the 10-minute bus ride to the Skywalk, a tour guide will share tales about the region's history and geology. 
- Guests can spend as much time as they want here. 
- Buses pick up every 15 minutes
- Average length of stay is 45 minutes 

Welcome to the Skywalk! 

Skywalk Trailhead

Mount Kitchener

Stutfield Peak

Mount Woolley

Upper Trail

One of many interactive displays, visitors stop here to learn about the diverse life forms and unique species that are found where glacial waters flow.

This is where the trail splits, and visitors can return to the trailhead using the upper trail which offers additional interactive experiences and even higher views.

The trail's colour scheme was intentionally designed so that it blends into the natural scenery. 

Biology & Ecology Station

A solid bottom and solid side panel walkway is an alternate way for guests to enjoy the entire tour and same views as the glass-bottomed Skywalk, without feeling like they need to test their nerves. 

What if a guest is afraid of heights?

Solid Bottom Skywalk

These breathtaking views include two additional glaciers

AA Glacier and Andromeda Glacier

Catch glimpses of the incredible icefield that covers approximately 389 sq. km (233 sq.mi.) that formed 240,000 years ago. 

Also called the Snow Dome which sits atop a triple continental divide, snow that falls here finds its way into three oceans: the Pacific, the Arctic and Atlantic. 

This massive ice covering sits between Mount Columbia (3,747 m or 12,293 feet high: the highest point in Alberta) and Mount Athabasca (3,491 m or 11,453 feet high).

Columbia Icefield 

The Skywalk is an engineering marvel: 

- The Skywalk extends 35 m from the cliff face and features a 30 m curved glass walkway
- The Sunwapta River is 280 m (918 ft) below
- The cantilever design is anchored deep into the rockface
- A single square inch of the glass can hold over 1,000 pounds
- The experience was designed to feel a little bit thrilling, but within the bounds of safe engineering


Glass Bottom Skywalk

Given the abundance of mountain goats in the area, a thorough wildlife impact assessment was carried out prior to construction. 

Pursuit partnered with Parks Canada to design a sustainable, low-impact experience in which subsequent studies have shown the Skywalk to be beneficial to wildlife. 


One of many stunning valleys that were formed in the area when glacier ice receded 8,000 years ago, the Sunwapta river runs below and multiple waterfalls are visible that burst straight 
out of the mountainside! 

The area is frequented by mountain goats, which tend to be seen on the cliffs below. 

Did you know? 
Sunwapta is a Stoney Nakoda word meaning "turbulent river."