Guided Glacier Hike on The Athabasca with IceWalks
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
This will be the highlight of your trip through the Icefields Parkway!
Discover the world of ice with our professional ACMG certified guides. This interpretive hiking tour is perfect for travelers seeking an adventurous and meaningful experience on the lower Athabasca glacier. You will see deep crevasses, waterfalls that cascade into the depths of the ice, and learn about the formation of glaciers and how they shape the landscape. Enjoy spectacular views of the icefall and the surrounding mountain peaks.
Tours depart daily at 9:45am and 2:00pm, boarding time is 20 minutes prior to the departure time. Don't be late or you will miss your tour!
Considered moderate difficulty with some short, steep sections of trail to approach the glacier and uneven ground. You should be able to hike 5km (3 miles) on uneven ground in order to do the tour.
Tours are family friendly. Bring your own snacks & warm layers - we supply all other gear required to comfortably explore the glacier.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
What To Expect
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 landscape that is the Canadian Rockies. You will learn the rich history of the glacier and you will have spectacular views of the glaciated mountains. You will learn about and explore the many incredible ice formations on the glacier, which include: crevasses, mill wells (waterfalls into the depths of the ice), meltwater streams, and icefalls (from a safe distance). This will be the highlight of your trip on the Icefields Parkway. The pictures you take will capture the memories of a lifetime. No technical climbing experience required! Our tours are moderate in difficulty, suitable for young children who enjoy hiking and active seniors.
Options
Classic Half Day Glacier Hike
What‘s Included
Rain coat & waterproof pants can be borrowed for no cost
You will be provided micro-spikes (crampons for added traction on the ice) If you don't have your own: Rain gear, hiking boots, gloves, and hat
Warm layers - bring your own insulating layer
Snacks
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
355 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Just an amazing afternoon!
NHSamtraveller,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a highlight of our trip. It was amazing! Kenton our guide was engaging and very informative. Loved every minute!
Professional and wonderful staff. Our guide made sure we feel comfortable and safe all the time. Nick is very caring !!!
Effie S,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was fascinating and at the same time humbling experience to walk the ice field with a professional guide! An adventure you want to go back to and at the same time to share with family or friends because it not only a wonderful experience but also very educational specially for the young.
Amazing!!!!
John J,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely Amazing! An experience we will never forget! Nick was a great guide who took the time to explain what we were looking at.
Our Glacier Experience
Brenda T,May 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Pete was our guide and very informative. He interacted with everyone, he was funny, very patient and mindful of everyone’s ability.
Well worth it!
patty4sdg,Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We 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.
Great experience! Very attentive and accommodating guides - Tamara is the best!
Trish T,Oct 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tamara 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.
An Awe Inspiring Adventure
JDinAtlanta,Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our 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.
Exceptional!
R M,Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00EXCELLENT! 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.
Awesome!
Barbara G,Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great guide with lots of information and knowledge of glacier and ecosystem Would do again only with the same guide Tracey
Very informative! Would...
Rae L,Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very informative! Would definitely recommend! We were given an extra waterproof layer and spikes to make our hike Easter.
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