Train Journeys In Columbia Icefield

A short guide about Train Journeys to Columbia Icefield

Travel via the Icefield Parkway to visit the Columbia Icefield between the National Parks of Banff and Jasper. This is the area to visit Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, the Weeping Wall and Athabasca Falls, before continuing on to Jasper. Most tours to these falls - will take you on an Ice Explorer ride upon the Athabasca Glacier.

Here is your chance to embark on an experience of a lifetime - as you board an Ice Explorer vehicle and travel right onto the Athabasca Glacier. Your tour driver will provide informative commentary as this unique experience allows you to step out onto the ancient ice and gives you a glimpse of the natural forces that shape the Rockies.

This massive field of ancient ice is composed of the Athabasca, Stutfield and Dome glaciers, it covers 325sq km and reaches depths estimated at 385m. Straddling the Continental Divide, the icefield feeds four of the continent’s major river systems: the Columbia, Fraser, Mackenzie and Saskatchewan. The melt-waters from the icefield flow to three different oceans (the Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic), and is called a ‘hydrological apex,’ - it is one of only two in the world (the other is in Siberia). There are also markers at the icefield which indicate the rate at which the toe of the Athabasca Glacier has receded this century.

Tourabout’s holiday packages to the Columbia Icefield provide plenty of opportunities for adventurous activities – visitors can explore the six massive glaciers at the Icefield and drink from its pure water run-off. Tours of the glaciers are given on custom designed Snowcoaches between April and October, while Ice-walk tours are also available between mid-June to mid-September.