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All 51 Banff Attractions »

Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure

Box 1140 | 100 Gopher St., Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta T1L 1J3, Canada
1-403-762-6700
Ranked #7 of 16 tours in Banff
4.0 of 5 stars 117 Reviews
Type: Tours
Activities: Hiking
Traveler Description: This is a trip that takes you by bus and then by specially designed "Ice Explorer" vehicle out onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier, one of the... more »
Useful Information: Activities for older children
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117 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
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    38
    14
    6
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Date Rating
wales
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
31 helpful votes 31 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 14, 2012

Amazing, Amazing, this trip is a must ! Not a cheap experience for a family but if the budget stretches then please do take the children it is amazing, the snow coaches are a thing in themselves and the size of these beasts seemed to facinate both the young and the old, the glacier is so beautiful but listening the... More

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See 4 more reviews by mushroom_10 for Banff
Jackson
Senior Contributor
30 reviews 30 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 2, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

I have done both the Brewster Glacier tour and I have taken a guided tour out onto the glacier....from the toe all the way up to the ice wall. I highly recommend the guided tour if you are physically fit.....incredible views and you get to see the glacier up close and personal! More

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Richmond, Canada
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 30, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

A very scenic and exciting trip of a lifetime! We rode on one of the most awesome vehicle! The sno-coach/Ice Explorer. These vehicles are really serious stuff especially when it was driven by one of the most entertaining driver named Mr. Ken Wenman of Victoria, B.C. The glacier was really scenic and beautiful. It really helps you appreciate nature better.... More

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See 2 more reviews by QuietSpot for Banff
Hervey Bay, QUEENSLAND
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
17 helpful votes 17 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 23, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

We came across the icefields on a beautiful sunny day. Now had fallen overnight and the centre looked fantastic. The vehicles used to transport you up the Glacier are serious 4x4's (better that the ones we have on Fraser Island). It was an adventure (albeit a cold one) for our 8 and 11 year olds. When we came back down,... More

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Franklin, Kentucky
Top Contributor
81 reviews 81 reviews
Reviews in 23 cities Reviews in 23 cities
35 helpful votes 35 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 19, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

When my wife and I came up upon the Columbia Icefield Glacier, it was a no brainer. It is just a remarkable adventure waiting to happen. Possibly even for some, a once in a life time adventure. You can stay overnight in the Glacier View Inn or just make it an afternoon. The Icefield Glacier is located on Canada’s most... More

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See 4 more reviews by DrMarc9491 for Banff
TX
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
20 helpful votes 20 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 2, 2012
2
people found this review helpful

We had discussed taking a trekking tour up on the glacier but finally decided the Icefield Glacier Adventure bus tour and walk on the glacier would be right. I think we made the right choice. It was extremely cold and windy up on the glacier as to be expected. That short amount of exposure was enough but provided some fantastic... More

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See 2 more reviews by iamspecialized for Banff
Southampton, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
19 helpful votes 19 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 14, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

This was the highlight of our trip along the Columbia Icefield's Parkway (Hwy 93), being able to stand on a glacier! If you have the time its well worth stopping and taking a trip out on the Ice field Explorer buses onto the glacier. You are taken out and given approx 20 mins to explorer the small area of the... More

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See 2 more reviews by Capt_tuBBymAN for Banff
Sugar Land, Texas
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed February 21, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Unless you live in an area with glaciers then you must experience this. We were lucky enough to have good weather and able to spend the whole time walking around and taking pictures on the glacier. .(Some friends of ours were not so lucky and spent most of the time huddled next to the bus). It was fascinating and the... More

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See 4 more reviews by TomT127 for Banff
Bristol, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 23, 2012
4
people found this review helpful

This was a brilliant way to get worry-free access onto the glacier and enjoy the glacial landscape. The guides were informative and humourous, giving a real passion for the area. Clearly by the nature of the trip you will be amongst a large number of fellow-tourists, but we managed to get enough pictures wtih no-one in the way, with a... More

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See 5 more reviews by HolliMint for Banff
Toronto, Canada
Senior Contributor
38 reviews 38 reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
22 helpful votes 22 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 11, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

At first, I was a bit scared about actually going on a glacier but I'm glad now that I did and it ended up being not as scary as I first thought it would be. We first board a bus that takes us to the specialized vehicle that actually takes you to the glacier. I think that the scariest part... More

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