Columbia Ice Field

The Columbia Icefield reveals the most unique attraction in the Canadian Rockies. Massive vehicles called Brewster Ice Explorers are specially designed for glacial travel and take passengers on a remarkable excursion onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier.

This adventure is operated through Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventures™. Each 80-minute journey is lead by an experienced driver-guide, who shares a wealth of fascinating information about glaciers, icefields and their impact on our environment.

The destination of the adventure is a private area accessible only through Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventures. Once the vehicle arrives in the designated "safe zone" on the Athabasca Glacier surface, participants can safely step out onto the glacier and stand on this powerful ancient ice.

Scenic Walk at Glacier Terminus

A walking path has been established by the Columbia Icefield Parkway in order for the general public to access the area beyond the glacial terminus. It is a fascinating walk over the alpine glacier terminal moraines and around residual meltwater channels and ponds. There is no charge to participants for accessing the walking path and it is not officially part of the field trip however we recommend taking two additional hours beyond the on-ice-excursion and enjoying the scenic walk.

Ground Transportation From Red Deer to the Columbia Ice Field

Field Participants can choose to accept optional ground transportation from the hotel venue or meet us at the Columbia Ice Field Parkway for the field trip.

We will depart for the Athabasca Glacier at 12:20pm from the Columbia Field Parkway and return in less than 2 hours.

We anticipate some participants will want to drive independently to the Columbia Ice Field in order to enjoy the Canadian Rockies either northward to Jasper or southward to Lake Louise and Banff. The ground transportation does not provide touring north or south of the Columbia Ice Field. Ground transportation will return directly to Red Deer immediately following the on-ice-excursion.

More Information:

The website below is the official provider of the field trip:
http://www.explorerockies.com/columbia-icefield/