Walking on Thick Ice

Bite-sized trip

Itinerary:
Icefields Parkway
Duration:
2 days / 1 night
Price:
from £ 282.- per person (excluding flights)

Possibly the most breath-taking road in Western Canada, the Icefields Parkway links Jasper with Banff, and is one drive you’ll be more than happy to take your time over. The highway takes you through towering forests, past bright blue glacial lakes and thundering waterfalls – all with the rugged peaks of the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop. You’ll travel the route over 2 days, with an overnight stop so you can explore the beautiful Athabasca Glacier on foot with an experienced guide.

Day 1 – Along the Icefields Parkway to the glacier

This morning you’ll set off from Jasper and head south along the spectacular Icefields Parkway towards the Athabasca Glacier, where your glacier hike will take place later in the morning. It’s usually around a 45-minute drive, but you might find yourself stopping to take in the scenery; the road weaves past some pretty epic views! You can take the main Highway 93, but 93A ends up in the same place and offers fewer tourists and a more intimate experience. Once you reach the foot of the glacier, you’ll join a group of around 14 along with an experienced local guide

Glacier hike

Crampons, hats and gloves will be handed out before you set out on a 3-hour hike through the frozen landscape of the glacier, where you’ll pass ice-caves, deep crevasses, and crystal clear meltwater streams. After an initial climb the route is largely flat, but you’ll need a moderate level of fitness….it’s also pretty cold (obviously!), although the walking should keep you warm, and the experience makes it well worth putting up with a little chilliness.

After your glacier tour finishes, you’ll head to your motel at Saskatchewan River Crossing, around 100 miles away. There’s nothing else booked today, so you can take your time and find some nice spots to stop and enjoy the views. The motel is fairly simple and functional, but the location makes it a really special place to spend the night.

Day 2 – Onward to Banff

After breakfast at the motel, it’s time to get back on the road and continue your journey south through the mountains, and onto Banff National Park. It’s around a 2-hour drive if you’re in a hurry, but with scenery like this, why rush?