Columbia Icefield Glacier Tour with Ice Explorer | Calgary & Banff
- Travel the Icefields Parkway from Calgary or Banff
- Spend approximately 2.5 hours at the Columbia Icefield
- Add an optional Ice Explorer ride onto the glacier surface
- See Peyto Lake or visit Waterfowl Lake when access is limited
- Choose Calgary or Banff drop-off
What to expect
Travel from Calgary or Banff into the Canadian Rockies with us. Follow the Icefields Parkway, passing Bow Lake and Crowfoot Glacier while your guide brings the landscape to life. Stop at Peyto Lake for turquoise views; if inaccessible, visit Waterfowl Lake instead.
Spend about 2.5 hours at the Columbia Icefield. Prebook the optional seasonal Ice Explorer to ride a specially designed vehicle onto the glacier surface, or explore the area independently. When it is closed, alternatives may include Lake Minnewanka, Banff Upper Hot Springs or Cave and Basin, with admission fees extra.
Choose an available drop-off in Calgary or Banff. Routes and stops may change with conditions.
Reviews
I joined from Calgary. The meeting point for the 8:00 AM start was in the hotel lobby. This bus tour included participants from companies other than Klook. Other tour companies had their meeting points outside the hotel. We returned to Calgary at 8:30 PM, so the tour took 12 hours and 30 minutes. We had ample time at each sightseeing spot, which was great. What I realized after participating was that the tour schedule mentioned Jasper National Park, but I'm not sure if we actually went there. If you were to join from Banff, the tour would be 8 hours and 40 minutes.
This was my first time to icefield, the weather in September is good for visiting as not very cold. It was fun to walk on the ice!
The tour organizer is a Chinese travel agency, so not only was the tour guide Chinese, but over half of the passengers on the bus spoke Chinese. However, the commentary throughout the trip was bilingual in Chinese and English. On the 40-seat tour bus, everyone had an assigned seat, and you could only move to an empty seat in the back if the bus wasn't full. The round trip from Calgary is indeed very long, with a stop in Banff to pick up and drop off passengers. Aside from a 2.5-hour stop at the icefield, all other sightseeing stops were only 20 to 40 minutes long. Because of this, the ticket for the Columbia Icefield does not include the Skywalk. When riding the giant Ice Explorer snowcoach, remember to choose a seat on the right side on the way up so you can photograph the very end of the glacier.
The tour guide provided detailed explanations about many points along the way. Peyto Lake was very blue and beautiful, and the experience of walking on the Columbia Icefield was truly special.
The columbia icefield was so worth visiting!
Highly recommended! Our tour guide Eric was so helpful and attentive.
The flexibility of choosing pick-up and drop-off in either Calgary or Banff is commendable!
it was great trip with Jack. He was so nice, kind and friendly. it was so much fun. it is kinda hard to get ice field. but i don't feel too tired. it was worth it. Thank you for this nice trip with this tour.
Really take long hours travel from Calgary. Most of time spend on bus. Well, no car no other choice
I appreciated local tour guide and bus driver service and arrangement.
Good to know
- Professional bilingual guide (English/Mandarin). Multilingual audio commentary may be available, depending on the itinerary.
- Arrive on time at your designated meeting point. The tour departs promptly; late arrivals are not refunded.
- The itinerary is for reference. Attraction order, stop durations and return times may change due to weather, traffic or on-site conditions.
- If attractions close due to severe weather, traffic or circumstances beyond our control, alternative stops may be arranged without prior notice.
- Avoid scheduling flights or other activities immediately after the tour, as return times may vary.
- Carry a valid passport or government-issued ID, which may be required for verification.
- No refunds or compensation apply to missed tours or early departures for personal reasons, including lateness, missing documents or illness.
- This is a shared tour. Wear comfortable clothing and suitable walking shoes.
- Bring sunscreen in summer for strong UV exposure at higher elevations.
- Bring warm layers for the colder temperatures at the Columbia Icefield.
Contact us
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