Athabasca Glacier

Jasper and Banff National Parks contain the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier.

The Athabasca Glacier is one of the six principal Toes of the Columbia Icefield, located in Canada's Rockies. The glacier currently loses depth at a rate of about 5 metres (16 ft) per year and has receded more than 1.5 km (0.93 mi) and lost over half of its volume in the past 125 years. Easily accessible, Athabasca Glacier is the most visited glacier in North America.

The leading edge of Athabasca Glacier is within easy walking distance; however, travel onto the glacier is not recommended unless properly equipped. Hidden crevasses have led to the deaths of unprepared tourists.

The Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre, closed during the winter (mid-October to mid-April), stands across from the Athabasca Glacier. It is used as a lodge and for ticket sales for sightseeing on the Athabasca Glacier. There are also two restaurants and a Starbucks located in the centre. Standard buses transport tourists from the centre to Athabasca Glacier's edge. You can board specially designed snow coaches for transport over the steep grades, snow and ice, part way up the glacier.

The Athabasca Glacier is approximately 6 km (3.7 mi) long, covers an area of 6 km2 (2.3 sq mi), and is measured to be between 90–300 metres (300–980 ft) thick.

The Icefields feed Six Major Glaciers:

1. Athabasca Glacier
2. Castleguard Glacier
3. Columbia Glacier
4. Dome Glacier
5. Stutfield Glacier
6. Saskatchewan Glacier

Jasper Columbia Icefield Home

More Jasper & Banff Columbia Icefield Tours

Jasper Columbia Icefield Maligne Lake 2 Day Tour | Columbia Icefield Tour with Glacier Skywalk from Banff | Glacier Day Tour: Calgary, Bow Lake, Columbia Icefield | Glacier Skywalk and Athabasca Glacier Tour from Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre | Guided Glacier Hike on The Athabasca with IceWalks | Glacier Skywalk