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Banff · Alberta · Canada
Columbia Icefields Parkway Tour
Starting From
From $307.93 per person
Current Project Expedition rate
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Project Expedition
The Experience
What your day looks like
The Columbia Icefield tour offers you a unique experience that is packed with fun, adventure, and lasting memories. Join us for an incredible journey and take advantage of the amazing opportunities that the Columbia Icefield offers for a day filled with unforgettable moments. This full day tour includes transportation from most hotels in Banff on a guided bus tour along the scenic Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefields Centre, where you will climb aboard the Ice Explorer to visit the Athabasca Glacier and walk on the glass floor Glacier Skywalk. The tour has numerous photo opportunities, including picturesque glacier-fed Bow Lake and scenic Peyto Lake (when access permits) or lower Waterfowl Lake. From the specially designed Ice Explorers, which can take you onto the massive Athabasca Glacier, to the Glacier Skywalk, a glass-floored observation platform suspended 280 meters (900+ feet) above Sunwapta Valley. You can enjoy guided Columbia icefield adventure tours, to learn more about the area’s natural history and take time to marvel at the beautiful views while having a snack along the way. Whether you’re looking forward to an educational experience or just looking to enjoy some of the most breathtaking views in North America, the Columbia Icefield tour is a perfect choice for anybody who wants to experience the magic and wonder of Canada’s natural landscapes.
At a Glance
The experience, in brief
- Venture onto the Athabasca Glacier on the Ice Explorer.
- Go on a jawdropping walk along the Glacier Skywalk.
- Travel halfway along the famous Icefields Parkway, recognized as one of the top drives in the world.
- Enjoy a hearty lunch at a stop along the Icefields Parkway.
- Admire the Crowfoot Glacier.
- See the Bow River at Bow Lake, and scenic Peyto Lake (when access permits) or lower Waterfowl Lake.
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Banff
Sightseeing at Icefields Parkway.
Before You Go
What to know before booking
Included
Hotel pick up and drop off Ice Explorer tour Glacier Skywalk experience Professional guide Small group size (up to 24 guests per guide)
Not Included
Please note that lunch is not included for infants.
What to Bring
-While for a large portion of the tour you will be on the bus, it can snow, rain, hail or shine any month of the year at the Icefields and so we suggest to prepare for unpredictable weather and dress in layers with hats, gloves and warm shoes. For shoes, we would suggest closed-toe shoes such as trainers or outdoor shoes. It is also recommended to take sunglasses as it can be very bright on the glacier. It can get very cold on the Athabasca Glacier, please dress for the weather. Photo ID may be required for identity verification.
Restrictions
A minimum of 4 people must be booked for the tour to operate. Early and late season road/trail closures may limit access to some areas. Unfortunately, the tour does not run in winter, as conditions are too harsh to travel on the glacier. Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Infants (3 and under) are free of charge, but this does not include any food.
Meeting & Pickup
You can choose your preferred pickup location in Banff from the list during the checkout process. If you don’t select a pickup location, we’ll automatically assign you to the Mount Royal Hotel as your default pickup point. You will then be picked up from the public bus parking located behind the Mount Royal Hotel at 138 Banff Ave.
Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: Yes Confirmation: Automatic
Traveler Impressions
What travelers are saying
2026-07-17
4.00 / 5
Tour guide was very good, enthusiastic & lots of good information. We needed more wash room breaks. The bus suspension was bumpy & had a bad odors, possibly from the air conditioning vents.
2025-09-02
5.00 / 5
Great tour, guide was wonderful! A great fun tour!!
2025-08-31
5.00 / 5
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour and guide, Herman.
2025-07-24
3.00 / 5
Informative and scenic but only 20 minutes in a confined crowded place on the glacier.
2025-07-24
3.00 / 5
Our tour guide was super informative and terrific. The scenery was breathtaking. However, you are only on the glacier for 20 minutes and confined to a small, flat area near the end of the glacier along with several busloads of tourists. I would’ve preferred to be much higher into the glacier and have more time. Just note that this is not glacier trekking but rather step onto the glacier an take a pic.
2025-07-14
4.00 / 5
Our tour guide was very informative throughout the tour. The scenery was breathtaking. Just know that you only get about 20 minutes on the glacier and you are close to the end of the glacier where it is mostly flat. No need to bundle up too much because you aren’t there very long.
2025-06-30
4.00 / 5
This is a unique experience, we are well pleased to have selected this tour. The drive up and back consumes much of the day — but the shuttle bus driver was delightful and he stopped several times for photos and good vistas. We also saw a large number of animals (bears, mountain goats) along the way. The Icefields component was brief; but very well done.
2025-05-30
5.00 / 5
Our guide, Eli, was great, making several scenic stops along the way. We enjoyed the picnic lunch and Eli would always slow down when we spotted wildlife along the side of the road. The Glacier, Icefields, and Skywalk were amazing! Be prepared to take lots of pictures--it's so beautiful!
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