9 Columbia Icefield Tours in Banff to Build a Day Around

1.Columbia Icefield Tour with Glacier Skywalk

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,860 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $99Our pick

Ride a giant Ice Explorer from the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre to Athabasca Glacier, where you can walk on a marked section of ice and collect snowmelt. Then cross the glass-bottom Glacier Skywalk. Guides such as Andy, Leanne, Lars, and Jackson add lively commentary. Allow about three hours.

“Fabulous! The trucks are incredible, the drivers knowledgeable and witty, and the views… Amazing. Then of course you are walking on a glacier, and bring a container so you can collect the clearest, coldest water ever to drink. Wear proper footwear”

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2.Columbia Icefield Tour with Glacier Skywalk from Banff

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 649 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $302Top rated

Travel from Banff along the Icefields Parkway with a guide such as Jack, Nolan, or Brad, stopping at Lake Louise, Peyto Lake, and Crowfoot Glacier. Ride the Ice Explorer onto the Columbia Icefield, cross the Glacier Skywalk, and enjoy a hot buffet lunch.

“Mark was driving and Sam was out guide, both had great knowledge of history and picked fantastic stops along the way to the Ice field. James always our driver to the glacier and also did a great tour.”

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3.Columbia Icefield, Skywalk, Crowfoot Glacier, and Lakes Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 475 reviews · 12 hours · from $50

Spend 12 hours touring the Canadian Rockies from Calgary, Canmore, or Banff with an English-speaking guide such as Harry, Ross, or Aashish. See Lake Louise, Peyto Lake, Crowfoot Glacier, Waterfowl Lakes, Johnston Canyon, and the Columbia Icefield, with optional Ice Explorer and Skywalk tickets.

“Hari was a fantastic caring and calm guy giving us clear information and help whenever possible. The whole day was an amazing experience 🤩 Thank you for an unforgettable experience!!”

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4.Athabasca Glacier and Columbia Icefield Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 408 reviews · 11 hours · from $276

Travel from Banff along the Icefields Parkway with an English-speaking guide such as Jake, Emma, or Rob. Stop at Bow Lake and other viewpoints, ride an Ice Explorer onto Athabasca Glacier, cross the glass-floored Skywalk, and enjoy a packed lunch during this 11-hour outing.

“Really enjoyed the day. Rob is a most personable and knowledgeable guide. He really added to the experience”

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5.Athabasca Glacier Snow Trip from Banff

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 394 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $291

Spend about 11 hours with a guide such as Neil, Georgia, or Jake on the Icefields Parkway. From Banff, visit Crowfoot Glacier and Bow Lake, ride an Ice Explorer across Athabasca Glacier, walk the Glacier Skywalk, and enjoy a picnic lunch.

“Drinking glacier water was the best part - and the views were amazing. The viewing platform was great.”

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6.Calgary Banff: Columbia Icefield, Skywalk and Lakes Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 154 reviews · 11 hours · from $49Best value

Ride from Calgary, Canmore, or Banff to Lake Louise, Peyto Lake, Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, and the Columbia Icefield. English, Hindi, and Punjabi-speaking guides such as Aashish, Ram, and Sanjeet lead small groups, while Skywalk and glacier tickets cost extra.

“The trip is excellent. Our guide tour Arron is very nice and helpful. He always responds on all our request. My group had a great time on this tour. Definitely we will recommend this tour.”

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7.Along Icefields Parkway: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake & Columbia Icefield

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 19 reviews · 7 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $125

Travel from Calgary along the Icefields Parkway with an English and Chinese-speaking guide, stopping at Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, and Columbia Icefield. The CA$125.47 tour includes park fees during selected dates, but the Athabasca Glacier snowcoach costs extra and must be booked ahead.

“Se suponía que incluía el boleto para pisar el glaciar, pero llegando allá nos dijeron que no, y que además no había tiempo para hacer la actividad, y nosotros por eso fuimos. Aparte de que el guía no saabia nada ni hizo nada para checar lo de nuestras entradas al glaciar. Nuestro guía les daba prioridad a las personas que hablaban chino. No lo volvería a hacer.”

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8.Columbia Icefield Tour with Glacier Skywalk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · 10 hours · from $294

From Banff, spend about 10 hours touring the Columbia Icefield, with hotel pickup, scenic stops at Bow Lake and Crowfoot Glacier, an Ice Explorer ride onto Athabasca Glacier, a Skywalk visit, snacks, and a hot lunch. Guides such as Brad, Dave, and Andre have made this day especially engaging.

“Love everything about it. Except that we spent the 1 first hour and a half picking up other passengers.”

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9.Icefield: Bow Lake, Columbia Icefield, Peyto Lake Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5 reviews · from $114

Travel Alberta’s Icefields Parkway by guided vehicle, stopping at Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Crowfoot Glacier, and the Columbia Icefield. English, Japanese, and Chinese tours are available. The optional Ice Explorer glacier visit costs extra, while park fees and transportation are included.

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