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Athabasca Glacier Icefields Parkway Canada

The Athabasca Glacier is a tongue of ice which flows from the Columbia Icefield,the largest mass of ice in the Canadian Rockies.The Glacier can be accessed from the Icefields Parkway Scenic road which runs from Lake Louise to Jasper. Water flows from the icefield to the Pacific,Atlantic and Arctic

Usually walking on glaciers brings to mind crampons,ice axes and Kendal mint cake. The Athabasca glacier however provides a way to experience a glacier for everyone.

The glacier recedes 2-3m /year. If you walk to the front of the glacier across the boulder field dated stones let you see how much it has melted in your lifetime.The front of the glacier is ice mixed with rock debris.Although not reccomemded by the authorities it is possible to potter around on the ice here and sometimes there is a roped off area which is deemed safe.However the best way to get onto the glacier is by taking a snow coach.

In the summer special tours depart from the visitor centre with Brewster tours, a specially designed snow coach takes you onto the clean white glacier. It may even snow whilst you're there.You can get out and wander about and have a snow ball fight. You can also take an Icewalk tour which is a more comprehensive look at the geology and glaciology of the glacier. You will be provided with boots and crampons for these walks.