Exploring the Columbia Icefields and Icefields Parkway with Banff Adventures
Itching for your next adventure and looking for an epic summer road trip that you’re sure to remember forever? The Icefields Parkway offers breathtaking scenery, as well as the unique opportunity to travel the divide between two of Canada’s most famous national parks: Jasper and Banff.
Spanning an impressive 232km, the Icefields Parkway takes approximately 4 hours to drive through (without stopping) and features several incredible sights (and sites!) along the way. Take a day or two to enjoy Canada’s Rockies like never before and fuel up for excitement! At Banff Adventures, we’re here to help you get up close and personal with some of Alberta’s most ancient natural wonders with our Skywalk and ice explorer excursions. Read on to learn more!
Discover the Magnificence of the Columbia Icefields
The Columbia Icefield is the largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies, with a total area of 200 km2, feeding multiple other glaciers, including the Athabasca, Columbia, and Saskatchewan formations. Formed from seasonal runoff that flows from many surrounding peaks as summer begins to warm the mountain face. At 10,000 years old and approximately 365 metres (that’s the height of the Empire State Building for those wondering!), the icefield is a wonder to behold and helps to showcase just how big, rugged, and magical the Rockies are as a whole.
Banff Adventures is proud to help you explore the awe-inspiring beauty of the Columbia Icefields with two unique excursions:
Ice Explorer Adventure
Hop aboard a specially designed Ice Explorer that can crawl along the glacier's surface and give yourself the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to place your own two feet upon this piece of ancient history. On the surface of the Athabasca Glacier, you’ll encounter waterfalls, wildlife, fossils, and, for those wishing to combine with our Skywalk excursion (more on that in a moment!), the opportunity to follow a walkway to a specially designed glass platform (don’t worry, it’s sturdy!) that allows you to view the full glory of the ice from a soaring 918ft above the Sunwapta Valley!
While you can participate in either activity individually, we highly recommend combining both experiences to make the most of your trip!
What Else Can I Do on the Parkway?
Road trips are made for making memories together, and the Icefield Parkway offers no shortage of ways to experience the wonder of the wild while on the road. You’ll find lots of stunning roadside vistas that are perfect for photos, trails to explore, and multiple points of interest like Athabasca and Sunwapta Falls, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and more!
Looking for More Rocky Mountain Fun?
Banff Adventures is here to help you relax, unwind and explore in the Rockies all summer long. With over 25 years of experience, we’re proud to offer thrilling experiences and affordable packages that will help you make lifelong memories and connect with the beauty of nature. Summertime favourites include:
- Whitewater rafting
- Exploring the Banff Gondola
- Horseback riding
- Fishing tours
- Canoe and mountain bike rentals, and more!
View our activities here and contact our team today to learn more!
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