Getting to the Columbia Icefield

If this is your first time driving up Highway 93 North, please carefully read the driving instructions on this page, as there is no cell reception along the Icefields Parkway.

Distances & TimesDistances & TimesDistances & TimesDriving Directions

Distances & Times

Icewalks tours start from the Columbia Icefield parking lot along Highway 93 North. Also known as the Icefields Parkway, this road stretches between Lake Louise and Jasper and offers incredible scenery of the Canadian Rockies. Check out this driving guide from Parks Canada to make the most of your trip to the Icefields Parkway.
‍
These times allow for summer traffic. Allow extra time for sightseeing stops. There are often delays because of construction along the Icefields Parkway. We recommend that you allow an extra half hour for these delays. For best results and timing, contact Park information centre personnel.

Please note: The Columbia Icefield area is in the  Mountain Time zone. If you are coming from Valemount/Mt. Robson or Revelstoke in British Columbia, you will need to adjust your watch one hour ahead.

Banff

Distance: 195 km
Travel Time: 2 hours 40 minutes

Lake Louise

Distance: 130 km
Travel Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Jasper

Distance: 105 km
Travel Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Banff

Distance: 195 km
Travel Time: 2hr 40

Lake Louise

Distance: 130 km
Travel Time: 1hr 40

Jasper

Distance: 105 km
Travel Time: 1hr 25

Distances & Times

Icewalks tours start from the Columbia Icefield parking lot along Highway 93 North. Also known as the Icefields Parkway, this road stretches between Lake Louise and Jasper, and offers incredible scenery of the Canadian Rockies. Checkout this driving guide from Parks Canada to make the most of your trip to the Icefields Parkway.
‍
These times allow for summer traffic. Allow extra time for sightseeing stops. There are often delays because of construction along the Icefields Parkway. We recommend that you allow an extra half hour for these delays. For best results and timing, contact Park information centre personnel.

Please note: The Columbia Icefield area is in the  Mountain Time zone. If you are coming from Valemount/Mt. Robson or Revelstoke in British Columbia you will need to adjust your watch one hour ahead.

Banff

Distance: 195 km
Travel Time: 2hr 40

Lake Louise

Distance: 130 km
Travel Time: 1hr 40

Jasper

Distance: 105 km
Travel Time: 1hr 25

Banff

Lake Louise

Jasper

Distances & Times

Icewalks tours start from the Columbia Icefield parking lot along Highway 93 North. Also known as the Icefields Parkway, this road stretches between Lake Louise and Jasper, and offers incredible scenery of the Canadian Rockies. Checkout this driving guide from Parks Canada to make the most of your trip to the Icefields Parkway.
‍
These times allow for summer traffic. Allow extra time for sightseeing stops. There are often delays because of construction along the Icefields Parkway. We recommend that you allow an extra half hour for these delays. For best results and timing, contact Park information centre personnel.

Please note: The Columbia Icefield area is in the  Mountain Time zone. If you are coming from Valemount/Mt. Robson or Revelstoke in British Columbia you will need to adjust your watch one hour ahead.

Banff

Distance: 195 km
Travel Time: 2hr 40

Lake Louise

Distance: 130 km
Travel Time: 1hr 40

Jasper

Distance: 105 km
Travel Time: 1hr 25

Banff

Lake Louise

Jasper

Driving Directions

Travel directions from Calgary, Banff, or Lake Louise

Travel directions from Jasper

Once at the Columbia Icefield

Our meeting location is in the West parking lot of the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre. Look for the trailer and white vans with IceWalks logo as you pull in to the parking lot. Park in the overflow RV parking (turn left at the "T-junction after the meeting place). Once the group is geared up, you will be shuttled the short distance to the glacier trailhead. Please arrive a half-hour before the scheduled departure time of the hikes.

Be sure to stop at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre for Parks Canada’s interpretive displays and information desk, washrooms and any last-minute snacks. The Athabasca Glacier, which is part of the Columbia Icefield, is on the opposite side of the highway from the Discovery Centre.
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