Athabasca Glacier Tour: Explore Icefields Parkway

Discover the Athabasca Glacier with IceWalks. Enjoy a guided hike, explore ice formations, and learn natural history. Perfect for active families.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Athabasca Glacier - IceWalks’ ACMG certified guides will meet you in the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre parking lot and gear you up for an unforgettable 3 hour interpretive glacier adventure. You will be shuttled a short distance to the trailhead. This 5 km roundtrip walking tour will take you onto the Athabasca Glacier and into the incredible…
What's Included
  • Micro-spikes (crampons) for ice traction
  • Rain gear
  • Hiking boots
  • Gloves
  • Hat
What's Not Included
  • Warm layers - bring your own insulating layer
  • Snacks
Additional Information

This will be the highlight of your journey along the Icefields Parkway!
Explore the icy wonders with our expert ACMG certified guides. This interpretive hiking tour is ideal for travelers looking for an adventurous and enriching experience on the lower Athabasca glacier. Witness deep crevasses, waterfalls plunging into the ice, and learn about glacier…

Location
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Arrive 20 minutes prior to your departure. Meet in the West parking lot of the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre. Look for the white vans with IceWalks logo as you pull off the highway. From there you will be shuttled a short distance to the trailhead.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(351 Ratings)
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Patty4sdg
Oct 30, 2025
Well worth it! - We had a great time! Our guide was friendly and very knowledgeable. She took us places on the glacier that we couldn't have gone on our own. We spent several hours walking around on the glacier - much more than we could have if we had just taken the special vehicle tour. It was well worth the money! They even provided crampons and gloves, hats, etc for those who didn't have them. Definitely a highlight of our trip to Banff and Jasper.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trish
Oct 14, 2025
Great experience! Very attentive and accommodating guides - Tamara is the best! - Tamara was such an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide - she made it fun. This is an easy 5km which although was super cold, manageable with extra gear provided by the company.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jdinatlanta
Oct 13, 2025
An Awe Inspiring Adventure - Our family had a lifetime memory making adventure with IceWorks. The four of us (kids are 12 and 9) went on the 3hr Guided Glacier Hike on The Athabasca. The larger group split in two, so we were with just 7 others. Tamara, our guide, was knowledgeable, passionate, caring and simply put—phenomenal! We learned so much on the trip. Tamara answered my sons many questions and encouraged him to ask more 😊 While hiking on a glacier could seem intimidating or like a crazy idea, if you are able to walk, follow directions, and open to learning and being surrounded by good ppl ( our hike mates were all so kind!), this adventure with the terrific IceWorks is an easy decision. I returned from the trip wanting to find out what else IceWorks and Tamara offer.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R_m
Oct 11, 2025
Exceptional! - EXCELLENT! Just make sure you know you are indeed hiking in this one. I had looked at both options I found and THOUGHT I got the one that was more what I could handle 7 months out from a major knee surgery but we got about 45 mins out and I realized I was very wrong. All my error, just know this has some steep hiking areas and is 3 hours of almost continuous hills and declines on unstable surfaces. Guillaume, our tour guide, went absolutely above and beyond to help me through my experience. I can’t thank him enough for helping me and allowing me to still experience this. Outside of that, if you can hike, DO THIS! It definitely was a much better option for seeing magical glacier events! And ask for Guillaume because he will teach you so much, pay attention for your safety and your questions, and will make this an amazing experience worth every dollar.
Review provided by Viator
Barbara_g
Oct 5, 2025
Awesome! - Great guide with lots of information and knowledge of glacier and ecosystem Would do again only with the same guide Tracey
Review provided by Viator
Rae_l
Oct 4, 2025
Very informative! Would... - Very informative! Would definitely recommend! We were given an extra waterproof layer and spikes to make our hike Easter.
Review provided by Viator
Bridgetg937
Oct 2, 2025
Halk day guided tour on the glacier - The owner was so helpful booking my outing. Stu was a great guide, ensuring a memorable, safe and professional ice walk. Thanks for an amazing day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jennifer_h
Sep 30, 2025
Bucket list adventure surpasses expectations - Wow - what an amazing experience! Our guide, Cece made it even more memorable. She was knowledgeable about the glacier itself, as well as the ice ages that formed it. She also help me when I had a bought of vertigo on the hike up. Made me feel safe and gave practical hiking tips for me use then and in the future. So grateful for the whole experience.
Review provided by Viator
892merryna
Sep 26, 2025
Best guided experience - This was a once in a lifetime experience. Walking on the glacier, seeing the amazing shapes and colours in the ice up close and hearing about the history and makeup of the glacier on the way from our expert guide Rupert. Our group of friends rated Rupert the stand out best guide of our month travelling in Canada-knowledge, experience and friendliness.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Susan_k
Oct 3, 2025
Longer Hike than anticipated but great guide - Hike includes a long walk just to get to the ice. 2 of our friends found the hike too difficult and turned back. They are in their 70’s but in good Shape. Maybe it was due to the higher elevation.
Review provided by Viator
From $100
up to 12 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).