Columbia Icefield Tour & Glacier Skywalk
Starts atCA$ 360US$ 269€ 236£ 202A$ 390
Duration: 11 Hours
Age: All Ages
Departure: 8:00am (Banff)
Season: May-Oct
Guaranteed departure. This tour runs as scheduled with no minimum group size — book with confidence, it won’t be cancelled for low numbers.
Overview
The Columbia Icefield is a truly awe-inspiring natural wonder , and it is a must-see for anybody visiting the Canadian Rockies. The Columbia Icefield is one of the largest icefields in North America, covering an area of 325 square kilometers (125 square miles). It’s located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, straddling the border between British Columbia and Alberta. The icefield is made up of several glaciers, including the Athabasca Glacier, which is one of the most accessible glaciers in the world.
Highlights
The best parts of the tour for most people include the following:
Columbia Icefields Glacier Adventure and Skywalk
Icefields Parkway
Mountain Picnic Lunch
Crowfoot Glacier
Glacier Lakes (Peyto and Bow Lake)Tour Details
Tour Duration
11 Hours
Departure Time
8:00am (Banff)
Age Required
All Ages
Season
May-Oct
Included
- Selected pickup: Banff
- Hotel pick up and drop off (Banff)
- Glacier Skywalk
- Ice Explorer
- Small group size (up to 24 guests per guide)
- Professional certified guide
- Hands on interpretive tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the tour include?+
The full day tour includes 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.
A picnic lunch is included with your choice of menu options. Please note that lunch is not included for infants.
How can I join this tour if I'm not staying in Banff?+
We have fantastic news: starting in summer 2026, we will provide pick-up transfers for those staying in Calgary or Canmore. If you wish to join this tour from Calgary or Canmore, please visit our page dedicated to tours departing from these locations.
What should I wear/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. It is usually only a few degrees cooler at the Icefields as it is in Banff, although the glacier does experience some cold winds. For shoes, we would suggest closed toes shoes such as trainers or outdoor shoes. It is also recommended to take sunglasses as it can be very bright on the glacier.
How long is the drive from Banff?+
The drive from Banff to the Columbia Icefield is around 3 hours.
How long are we on the glacier for?+
The tour from the Columbia Icefield Centre is about an hour and 15 minutes, where there will be guided commentary all the way. You will have about 20 minutes on the glacier itself.
Does this tour run in winter?+
Unfortunately the tour does not run in winter, as conditions are too harsh to travel on the glacier.
Will I see wildlife on the tour?+
There is a chance of seeing wildlife on the tour and the Icefields Parkway is a common area to spot animals, however we do not guarantee seeing wildlife on any of our tours. Our guides have a lot of knowledge about the animals within the park and can fill you in about them if you see any wildlife or if you have any questions.
What is the cancellation policy?+
There is a 72 hour cancellation policy, which allows you to change, cancel, or refund your booking up to 72 hours prior to your tour (or up to 7 days prior for group bookings).
Should I tip my guide?+
Tips are not expected, but are certainly appreciated. If you think your guide did a wonderful job and would like to indicate that with a tip, it will be graciously accepted.
Which pickup location am I viewing?+
You are viewing the Banff pickup content.
How long is the tour?+
The tour begins at 8:00am in Banff (or 9:00am in Lake Louise) and brings you back to Banff around 7pm (or Lake Louise at 6:15pm), approximately 11 hours.
Where is our pick up and drop off from?+
We pick up from most hotels in Banff and the Samson Mall in Lake Louise, and you can select your preferred pick-up location during the booking process. For drop offs in Banff, our guide will ask you on the way back where you would like to be dropped off either in town or at your hotel.
Booking Terms
- Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
- Early and late season road / trail closures may limit access to some areas.
- Infants (3 and under) are free of charge, but this does not include any food.
- Photo ID may be required for identity verification.
- By participating in a tour with Discover Banff Tours, guests are acknowledging that they understand that we may take video and photographs of them during their tour. These videos and photographs may be used in promotional materials including, but not limited to, social media.
- Please note that this tour requires a minimum of 4 participants, please call the day prior to confirm the tour.
What Our Guests Are Saying
Real, verified reviews from guests who explored the Canadian Rockies with us.