3-Day Columbia Icefield & Jasper Tour from Calgary — Icefields Parkway, Athabasca Glacier & Maligne Lake
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
3 days (approx. 72 hours)
Fitness Level
Suitable for travelers in average physical condition; includes short walks, boardwalks and boat/cruise options but no technical hiking required.
Overview
Drive one of North America’s most scenic roads, walk on ancient ice and cruise a glacier-fed lake on this compact 3-day Jasper and Columbia Icefield tour from Calgary. Expect dramatic viewpoints, optional glacier activities and practical logistics handled for you.
3-Day Columbia Icefield & Jasper Tour from Calgary — Icefields Parkway, Athabasca Glacier & Maligne Lake
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The morning you leave Calgary, the city silhouette falls away and the Rockies press forward: grey ribs of limestone and spruce-dark slopes rising like chapters in a slow-motion story. By midday the bus hums along the Icefields Parkway, a 232-kilometre ribbon of road that stitches glaciers and turquoise lakes into one long, changing view. Crowfoot Glacier peers at you across Bow Lake; Peyto’s improbable blue makes the guide pull the bus over. At the Columbia Icefield the air tastes like glass—cold, thin and sharp—while the Skywalk cantilevers you over a valley that looks younger than time.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Pack for variable mountain weather
Temperatures can swing widely between valley and glacier—layer a breathable base, insulating mid-layer and waterproof shell.
Bring cash or card for optional extras
Ice Explorer, Skywalk and Maligne Lake cruises carry additional fees not included in the tour price.
Stay hydrated and snack smart
Long drives and high elevations increase dehydration—carry a refillable bottle and energy snacks for between stops.
Respect wildlife distance
Keep at least 100 metres from bears and 30 metres from other large mammals; use binoculars for close-up views.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Elk
- Bighorn sheep
History
The Icefields Parkway follows routes used by Indigenous peoples and later by fur traders and railway surveyors; the Columbia Icefield itself has been a landmark for both scientific study and early mountaineering.
Conservation
Jasper and Banff National Parks enforce strict wildlife-distance rules, seasonal closures and visitor education to protect fragile alpine ecosystems and reduce human impact.
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Adventure Hotspots in Jasper
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Waterproof shell jacket
Protects you from sudden rain, wind and cold at higher elevations.
Sturdy hiking shoes
Required for slippery boardwalks at Maligne Canyon and uneven glacier margins.
Daypack with rain cover
Carries layers, snacks, water and camera gear for daily excursions.
Reusable water bottle & hydration system
Keeps you hydrated on long drives and during short walks between viewpoints.
summer specific