Columbia Icefield tour from Jasper: Icefields Parkway & Skywalk

The Icefields Parkway passes four of the Rockies' most photographed stops in a single day.

A full-day guided tour from Jasper along the Icefields Parkway to Columbia Icefield, one of North America's largest ice masses, with stops at Peyto Lake and Bow Lake. You travel the scenic highway, stop for photos at turquoise glacier-fed lakes and dramatic viewpoints, and can add the Glacier Skywalk (a glass platform 280 metres above the valley), or an Ice Explorer ride onto Athabasca Glacier. A live English-speaking guide leads groups of up to eight or thirteen guests.

Options for this experience

2 options

From CA$ 1,195 per group, depending on the option and date you choose.See dates & book

Group of up to 8 guests Available from 17 May 2027 Guide in English Up to 8 per booking Includes pickup

Group of up to 13 guests Available from 3 Jun 2027 Guide in English Up to 13 per booking Includes pickup

None of these options right for you? See 2 alternatives ›

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Columbia Icefield and Surroundings

• Travel along Icefields Parkway
• Stop at Crowfoot Glacier for photos
• Visit Bow Lake viewpoint
• Visit Peyto Lake viewpoint
• Explore Columbia Icefield area
• Optional Ice Explorer ride on Athabasca Glacier
• Optional Glacier Skywalk visit

Stops and time spent at each 3 stops

1. Peyto Lake Entry included 45m
2. Bow Lake Entry included 30m
3. Columbia Icefield Skywalk 1h

What’s included

• Your tour includes pickup from Jasper, a bottle of water, the Parks Canada commercial fee to access the icefield, fuel surcharge and parking fees.
• a live English-speaking guide leads the group throughout the day.

Times

Next departure: 17 May 2027

1 departing soon ›

Before you book

Group Private

Live guide English

Audio guide English

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included. You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Book up to 15h before

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Public transport nearby Not recommended with heart problems Infants must sit on laps

Operated by 1000HOST

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

The experience

The route follows the Icefields Parkway, a 230-kilometre stretch of highway that strings together the Rockies' most recognizable landmarks. Peyto Lake appears first, its turquoise water fed by glacial melt and ringed by peaks. The stop gives you time to walk to the viewpoint and shoot the lake from above. Bow Lake comes next, a glacier-fed basin at the foot of the range where the water runs clear enough to mirror the mountains. Both are photo stops built into the day's rhythm, not rushed checkpoints.

Columbia Icefield itself spans roughly 325 square kilometres across the Continental Divide and feeds several major glaciers, including Athabasca. The icefield is the source of rivers flowing into three different oceans. The tour brings you to the base of this landscape, and from there you can choose to ride the Ice Explorer onto Athabasca Glacier itself or step onto the Glacier Skywalk, a glass-floored platform that extends from a cliff edge 280 metres above the Sunwapta Valley. The Skywalk trades solid ground for a view down the valley and across the surrounding peaks. It is optional, not bundled, so you decide at checkout whether to add it.

The full day runs 11 to 12 hours from pickup to return. Your guide is a local expert who knows the stops and the landscape. Water, the Parks Canada commercial fee, fuel surcharge and parking are included. Lunch is not, so plan to eat along the Parkway or bring something. Infants travel on an adult's lap. The pace suits all fitness levels, though the tour is not recommended for anyone with cardiovascular concerns.

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What makes Peyto Lake's colour so striking?

Peyto Lake's turquoise water comes from glacial melt flowing into the basin. The fine sediment suspended in the water reflects light in a way that creates the vivid colour, and the lake's shape and position along the Icefields Parkway make it one of the most photographed spots in the Canadian Rockies.

Can I walk on the Athabasca Glacier or do I only see it from a distance?

You can ride the Ice Explorer, a specially designed vehicle, onto the Athabasca Glacier itself if you add that optional experience at checkout. Without it, the tour brings you to the base of the icefield but does not include a glacier walk.

How does the Glacier Skywalk work?

The Glacier Skywalk is a glass-floored observation platform suspended 280 metres above the Sunwapta Valley, extending from the cliff's edge. It gives you a view straight down the valley and across the surrounding peaks and glaciers. It is an optional add-on, not included in the base tour.

What is the difference between the group size options?

You can book a group of up to eight guests or a group of up to thirteen guests. Both travel with a live English-speaking guide along the same route. The smaller group offers more intimate pacing, while the larger option accommodates bigger parties.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

Lunch is not included. The tour runs 11 to 12 hours, so you'll want to plan a meal stop along the Icefields Parkway or bring food with you.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes pickup from Jasper, a bottle of water, the Parks Canada commercial fee, fuel surcharge, and parking. Gratuities are separate. The Glacier Skywalk and Ice Explorer rides are optional add-ons you choose at checkout.