Icefields Parkway / Columbia Icefield
Icefields Parkway · Columbia Icefield
A 232 km stretch from Lake Louise to Jasper, known as one of the world's most beautiful roads, with glaciers, turquoise lakes and snowy peaks along the way. The highlight is riding an Ice Explorer giant snowcoach onto the Athabasca Glacier.
The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) runs 232 km north from Lake Louise to Jasper, crossing Banff and Jasper National Parks along the Continental Divide. It is flanked by continuous snowy peaks above 3,000 m and more than 100 glaciers. National Geographic has named it one of the most beautiful roads in the world. A one-way trip takes at least a full day: about 3 hours without stopping, or 6 to 8 hours with viewpoints. The main stops, from south to north, are Herbert Lake (its reflections), Bow Lake (the largest lake beside the road, with the Crowfoot Glacier and the red-roofed Num-Ti-Jah Lodge), Peyto Lake (a 15-minute walk to a viewpoint overlooking the cobalt-blue lake shaped like a wolf's head, the most photogenic stop on the entire route), Saskatchewan Crossing (the only gas station and restaurant), the Big Bend and Bridal Veil Falls, and then the Columbia Icefield on the Continental Divide. The Columbia Icefield is the largest icefield in North America south of the Arctic Circle, covering 325 square km, and the tongue of the Athabasca Glacier reaches right up to the road. From the Glacier Discovery Centre, Ice Explorer giant snowcoaches carry visitors onto the glacier, where you can walk for about 20 minutes and drink glacier meltwater. A combo ticket with the Glacier Skywalk, a glass walkway extending 280 m above the Sunwapta Canyon, costs about CAD 120 to 140. It is operated by Pursuit, runs from May to October, and requires advance booking. You can also walk the Toe of the Glacier trail on your own to the glacier's snout (about 1 hour; walking onto the glacier is prohibited). North of the icefield, the Jasper section passes Tangle Creek Falls, Sunwapta Falls and Athabasca Falls, the largest in volume and the most spectacular in its canyon, before reaching the town of Jasper. A suggested itinerary is to leave Lake Louise by 7 a.m., reach the icefield centre by noon to book a snowcoach ride between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., spend the afternoon in Jasper and stay overnight, then visit Maligne Lake the next day before returning or driving from Jasper to Edmonton. Those not going to Jasper can turn back after the icefield, a round trip of about 260 km. Note that there is no mobile signal along the entire route, and there is only one gas station, so fill up before you set out. A national park pass is essential, as there are checkpoints. Black bears, grizzly bears and bighorn sheep are often seen along the road. When stopping to photograph wildlife, stay in your vehicle or keep your distance, and never feed the animals. In winter, the roads are icy and daylight is short, so self-driving is not recommended for beginners.
Opening hours
Open all day (Icefield Centre and snow coach approx. May–mid-Oct 09:00–17:00)
Nearby sights
- Athabasca Glacier & Ice Explorer
- Columbia Icefield Skywalk
- Sunwapta Falls
- Maligne Lake & Spirit Island, Jasper
- Athabasca Falls
- Medicine Lake
- Mount Edith Cavell & Angel Glacier
- Valley of the Five Lakes