Banff to Jasper: Columbia Icefield, Glacier Skywalk & Lunch

Summary

Banff to Jasper road trip with glaciers, lakes and skywalk views

You’ll travel from Banff to Jasper with a local guide, stopping at Lake Louise and Athabasca Falls before spending hours exploring the Columbia Icefield. Walk on ancient glacier ice during the Glacier Adventure tour, then test your nerves on the glass-floored Skywalk high above Sunwapta Valley. A picnic lunch is included—plus plenty of mountain air and unexpected moments you’ll want to remember.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the way the mountains looked in the early light—kind of blue and endless, like someone kept stacking them behind each other. Our driver-guide, Mark (he’s from Canmore), had this habit of pointing out things just as you’d start to zone out—suddenly he’d say “Look left!” and there’d be a glacier I almost missed. The air smelled sharp when we stepped out at Lake Louise. My hands were cold but I didn’t really care; you sort of forget about comfort with that kind of view.

Somewhere near Bow Lake, I tried to eat my sandwich in the van but got distracted by these wild streaks of snow on the peaks. The day trip from Banff to Jasper is long but never boring—every turn feels like another postcard. When we finally reached the Columbia Icefield, Mark handed us over to a local guide for the Glacier Adventure part. The ice underfoot made this weird crunching sound—like stepping on old sugar—and I could taste something metallic in the wind (maybe it was just my nerves). I still think about how small I felt standing there.

The Glacier Skywalk was both terrifying and hilarious because my friend froze up halfway across (she hates heights) while a family from Edmonton cheered her on in French and English at once. Sunwapta Valley stretched out below us, all green and impossible. We stopped for a picnic lunch right after—nothing fancy but honestly perfect after all that cold air. By the time we rolled into Jasper, everyone was quieter than before. Maybe tired or maybe just full of new things to think about—I’m not sure which.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Banff to Jasper mountain tour

• Depart from Banff
• View Lake Louise
• Stop at Crowfoot Glacier
• Visit Bow Lake
• Arrive at Columbia Icefield
• Take Glacier Adventure tour
• Experience Glacier Skywalk
• Enjoy picnic lunch
• Explore Columbia Icefield Centre exhibits
• Take guided scenic walk
• See Weeping Wall
• Visit Athabasca Falls
• Arrive in Jasper

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included on this Banff to Jasper tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for this one-way tour.

What stops are included between Banff and Jasper?

The tour stops at Lake Louise, Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, Columbia Icefield, Weeping Wall, and Athabasca Falls.

How long do you spend at the Columbia Icefield?

You’ll have about 4 hours at the Columbia Icefield for activities and lunch.

Is lunch provided during the day trip from Banff to Jasper?

Yes, a picnic lunch is included in your tour package.

What activities are included at Columbia Icefield?

The Glacier Adventure onto Athabasca Glacier and entry to the Glacier Skywalk are both included.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels according to the operator.

Does this operate in bad weather?

Yes, it runs in all weather conditions—just dress appropriately for mountain weather.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Banff, a guided transfer all the way to Jasper with sightseeing stops along legendary routes like Lake Louise and Bow Lake. At Columbia Icefield you get four hours for both the Glacier Adventure onto Athabasca Glacier and access to the glass-floored Skywalk overlooking Sunwapta Valley—with a picnic lunch along the way before arriving in Jasper by evening.