The Columbia Icefield Adventure is one of the most popular experiences along the Icefields Parkway, letting you ride a massive Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier and walk the glass-floored Columbia Icefield Skywalk. This guide covers 2026 ticket prices, discounts, what's included, and how to book.
Columbia Icefield Adventure Prices (2026)
The experience is operated by Pursuit and runs early May to mid-October. Pricing rises the closer you book to your date, so reserve early:
- Adult: from approximately $126 CAD (book 2+ weeks ahead)
- Child (6-15): from approximately $82 CAD
- Children 5 & under: free when sharing a seat
Tickets include both the Ice Explorer ride onto the Athabasca Glacier and access to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. The full experience takes 2.5 to 3 hours.
How to Save on Columbia Icefield Tickets
Off-Peak Departures
Choosing a departure after 3:30 PM can save roughly 20%, and the late-afternoon light on the glacier is beautiful.
Alberta Resident Rate
Alberta residents save about 20% with proof of residency.
Kids Go Free (Mornings)
Book a departure before 11 AM and you can get one free child admission (ages 6-15) with each full-price adult ticket — a big saving for families.
Multi-Attraction Passes
Pursuit's Rockies passes bundle the glacier tour with the Banff Gondola, the Lake Minnewanka Cruise, the Golden Skybridge and more, saving up to 25-40% versus individual tickets.
What's Included
- Ice Explorer ride: A purpose-built six-wheel vehicle descends one of the steepest commercial roads in North America onto the Athabasca Glacier.
- Glacier walk: About 30 minutes to explore a designated safe area on the ancient ice — you can even fill a bottle with fresh glacial meltwater.
- Skywalk: A glass-floored horseshoe platform jutting 280 metres above the Sunwapta Valley, with interpretive panels on the region's geology and Indigenous history.
Where Is It?
The Columbia Icefield sits along the Icefields Parkway, about a 2-hour drive north of Lake Louise toward Jasper. Most visitors combine it with a day exploring the parkway's other stops — Bow Lake, Peyto Lake and Crowfoot Glacier. If you'd rather not drive, guided day tours run from Banff, Lake Louise and Canmore.
Is It Worth It?
For first-time visitors driving the Icefields Parkway, it's one of the easiest ways to actually stand on a glacier without technical gear — memorable, and especially fun for kids. If you prefer quiet and independence, you can also hike to the glacier's toe for free, but you won't get out onto the ice itself.
Map out your full Rockies road trip with our Icefields Parkway planner, or browse more guided tours from Banff.
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