Athabasca Glacier Icewalks in Jasper National Park Canada

Located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the Columbia Icefield is the largest icefield in North America’s Rocky Mountains, spanning an area of 325 square kilometers. It is situated partly in Banff National Park and partly in Jasper National Park. The most well-known and visited glacier in the area is the Athabasca Glacier. Unfortunately, this glacier is retreating rapidly, losing about 5 meters in depth each year and having already lost over half of its volume in the last 125 years.

If you’re planning a road trip through Banff and Jasper National Park, make sure to add the Athabasca Glacier to your to-do list—it’s a must-see!

Although the Athabasca Glacier is easily accessible, it is strongly advised not to hike on the glacier by yourself. There are several guided tours available to explore the glacier’s toe, and specialized buses, called „Ice Explorers,“ can take you up to the glacier. Luckily, we chose the Full Day Deluxe Tours with Athabasca Glacier IceWalks, which turned out to be a great decision. This tour allowed us to go further onto the glacier compared to the standard tours, providing a more immersive experience. 

Unfortunately, on 18 July 2020, one of the snow coaches rolled over on the Athabasca glacier’s moraine. 3 people died and 24 others were injured. 

The adventure began at the toe of the Athabasca Glacier, though, as usual, we were a bit late.

First, the guide gave us crampons to help us walk on the icy terrain without slipping. At the start, the weather didn’t seem too promising, but we kept our fingers crossed for the best. Our guide was incredibly funny and knowledgeable, explaining every detail about the glacier, the ice, and even the plants we encountered. It turned out to be an impressive hike across the glacier’s toe.

As we ventured further, we passed deep crevasses, vivid blue puddles, and an endless stretch of ice and snow. Just as we were getting into it, the weather took an unexpected turn—it started snowing! And this was in early September, which made the whole experience feel surreal and even crazier.

As we neared our lunch spot, the snow finally stopped, and to our surprise, the sun broke through the clouds. The last few meters of the first part of the hike were so much more enjoyable with the warmth of the sun shining on the ice. Lunch was included in the package, and everyone took the opportunity to relax and eat while sitting on the snow.

Suddenly, the guide seemed quite intrigued by something and beckoned us to follow him. Right in front of us was an awe-inspiring ice arch. The guide explained that it was a rare sight, as these ice arches don’t appear often. He invited us to walk through it with him, which felt incredibly special. It also offered fantastic photo opportunities, and I couldn’t resist snapping a few shots to capture the moment!

After the excitement of the ice arch, we began our slow journey back to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier. On the way, the guide shared a curious tidbit with us. He mentioned that the black hills surrounding the area were actually the droppings of small animals. I couldn’t quite tell if he was joking, but it definitely gave us something to think about!

As we continued, he demonstrated the true depth of the glacier’s crevasses by tossing a stone into one of the holes. The sound of it falling into the abyss was chilling and gave us a real sense of the danger involved. It was a powerful reminder of just how risky it could be to explore the glacier without the safety of a guide.

In conclusion, I highly recommend this tour to anyone fascinated by glaciers and looking to go beyond the typical tours. The experience of hiking on the Athabasca Glacier, exploring its crevasses, and witnessing the stunning ice features was truly unforgettable. It’s a unique adventure that offers a deeper, more immersive look at the glacier, and with the expert guidance, it feels much safer and more rewarding than trying to explore it on your own.

Read next: Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Canada