Are the Ice Explorer and Skywalk included in the tour price?

No. Both the Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield Skywalk tickets are optional extras purchased on-site or in advance.

When does this tour operate?

The main season runs from early May through mid-October. Winter alternatives to this particular route include Lake Louise and Marble Canyon tours.

How long is the tour and what should I expect for timing?

Expect an eight- to ten-hour day with several short viewpoint stops and an extended visit time at the Columbia Icefield area for optional activities.

What are the meeting points?

Pick-ups and meeting points include Delta Hotels by Marriott Calgary Downtown, Travel Alberta Canmore Visitor Information Centre, and Banff Canalta Lodge.

Is the tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?

Yes. The 56-seater coaches offer stroller and wheelchair access; however, some viewpoints and the Ice Explorer require varying mobility—check specifics when booking.

Are children allowed on the tour?

Yes, but customers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by at least one adult.

Day Tour - Icefields & Alpine Wonders: Columbia Icefield, Athabasca Glacier & Skywalk | Sightseeing Tour | Photography Tour

Adventure Brief

Drive the Icefields Parkway from Calgary into the Columbia Icefield on a full-day tour of glaciers, turquoise lakes, and the Glass-floored Skywalk. Optional Ice Explorer and Skywalk tickets let you walk on Athabasca Glacier and stand 280 meters above the Sunwapta Valley — an accessible way to experience the high Rockies.

1 Day (approx. 8–10 hours)

easy

From CA$127.65

Drive the Icefields Parkway from Calgary into the high Rockies and spend a day among ancient ice and turquoise lakes on the DAY TOUR - ICEFIELDS & ALPINE WONDERS. This full-day trip runs from Calgary (with pick-ups at Delta Hotels by Marriott Calgary Downtown), Canmore (Travel Alberta Canmore Visitor Information Centre) and Banff (Banff Canalta Lodge) and follows one of the most scenic highways into the Columbia Icefield region of the Canadian Rockies. You’ll pass the Crowfoot Glacier viewpoint and pause at Bow Lake and the Peyto Lake lookout, each frame offering a distinct blue-green cast from glacial rock flour. The main attraction is the Columbia Icefield: opt to ride the Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier to feel the glacier underfoot, or buy a ticket to the Glass-floored Glacier Skywalk, suspended 280 meters above the Sunwapta Valley for dizzying panoramic views. The tour operates as a local group product with a maximum of 23 guests, run on 56-seater coaches that can accommodate strollers and wheelchairs, making this an approachable way to experience high alpine scenery without backcountry logistics. Guides shape the day around road and weather conditions; the route is typically an eight- to ten-hour loop that moves steadily between short viewpoint stops and longer time at the Icefield complex to allow glacier and Skywalk experiences. Geologically the route threads along carved valleys and active glacial features: expect sculpted moraines, blue ice exposed where the Athabasca Glacier calves back, and the distinct turquoise of bow-shaped Peyto Lake. Wildlife sightings are possible—look for elk, bighorn sheep, or marmots near the pullouts—but the main draw is geological scale and accessible glacier contact. Practical details matter: the core season runs from early May through mid-October; winter alternatives include visits to Lake Louise and Marble Canyon. No food or drinks except bottled water are allowed on board; minors must travel with an adult. Optional extras—Ice Explorer rides and Skywalk tickets—are not included in the base fare and should be booked in advance on busy summer days. For visitors based in Banff, Canmore, or Calgary, this day trip condenses the Icefields Parkway’s highlights into a single, manageable outing. It’s a crisp, cinematic introduction to the Rockies’ glacial heart—ideal for visitors who want dramatic alpine landscapes, glacier walks, and the rare experience of standing on a glass walkway over a deep valley without committing to technical mountaineering. Expect an early morning departure and a return to your pickup point in the evening; typical days run eight to ten hours. Bring layered clothing, sturdy walking shoes, a refillable water bottle, camera, and valid photo ID or travel documents for border or park checks. Weather shifts quickly at elevation—pack a waterproof layer and warm hat and gloves.

About Scenic Shuttle

Scenic Shuttle is a Banff, Alberta-based tour operator offering a range of guided day tours, multi-day itineraries, and private tours across the Canadian Rockies. Operating from Banff, Scenic Shuttle runs day trips that showcase iconic sights including Banff town, Surprise Corner, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Emerald Lake, Johnston Canyon, Takakkaw Falls, and the Icefields Parkway.

Day tour options include Banff Canyons to Summit; Icefields & Alpine Wonders with access to Athabasca Glacier and the Glacier Skywalk; Rockies Lake Circle featuring Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Emerald Lake, and the Natural Bridge; Takakkaw Falls & Yoho Escape; Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Johnston Canyon; and Drumheller Discovery to explore Alberta’s Badlands and dinosaur sites. Multi-day departures include a two-day Rockies Escape and a four-day Rockies Special covering Banff, Jasper, and Yoho National Park. Private Tours allow fully customized itineraries tailored to guest interests.

Scenic Shuttle’s offerings focus on scenic drives, glacier viewpoints, turquoise lakes, waterfalls, canyon walks, and short hikes that fit day and multi-day schedules. Vehicles and itineraries are arranged to connect Banff with major attractions across Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and the Drumheller Badlands. Booking options include scheduled day tours, multi-day packages, and private charter tours departing from Banff, Alberta.

Scenic Shuttle provides clear trip descriptions, multiple tour durations, and private options for tailored experiences—making it a practical choice for travelers seeking accessible access to the Canadian Rockies. Tours depart from central Banff meeting points and cover popular routes including the Icefields Parkway and Yoho National Park attractions for all travelers.