About this tour
When Jake from our team tackled this 3-hour combo, we clocked two major hits in the Columbia Icefield area just outside Banff. The tour bundles a ride onto the Athabasca Glacier aboard a massive ice explorer—where you can actually drink meltwater straight from the source—with a walk across the Glacier Skywalk, a glass-bottomed platform jutting over the cliff edge. It's the kind of spot that draws families, couples, and gawping tourists keen to say they've stood on ancient ice and peered down a fair drop. Weather dependent, but when conditions hold, it's a tight, efficient way to hit two attractions in one hit.
Highlights
- Massive ice explorer vehicle felt genuinely imposing on the glacier itself
- Drinking pure glacial meltwater straight from your own bottle—surprisingly good
- Glass floor on the Skywalk delivers real vertigo moments, worth the nerves
- Guided commentary explained glacier retreat and ice formation clearly
- Wheelchair accessible paths mean less faffing about with logistics
- Knocked out both attractions without feeling rushed through either
- Infants travel free, prams welcome—handy for families
What to expect
The day kicks off with a scenic drive to the glacier, then you board one of those hulking ice explorer vehicles—built specially for the terrain, with huge wheels and a solid feel. Jake and the group spent a solid chunk of time on the Athabasca Glacier itself, walking around on the ice, and the guide showed us where the glacier has retreated over the decades. Drinking the meltwater is a genuine highlight; it's cold and pure and feels like you've earned it. After the glacier, you head to the Glacier Skywalk. The glass floor is the main draw—it's properly unsettling if you're not keen on heights, but the views of the valley and cliff face below are legitimately striking. The whole thing moves at a reasonable pace without feeling hurried.
What travellers say
- Two separate attractions in one efficient morning slot
- Ice explorer lets you stand safely on genuine glacier ice
- Glass-bottomed Skywalk delivers real visual impact and thrills
- Wheelchair accessible and pram-friendly without compromises
- Knowledgeable guides explain glacial science and landscape history
- Infants travel free, making family budgeting straightforward
- Weather cancellations possible; rebooking adds logistical uncertainty
- Glacier Skywalk gets crowded during peak touring hours
- Transport to meeting point not included; assumes your own vehicle
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is genuinely accessible. Wheelchair users can get around, prams work fine, and infants ride free (though they need to sit on an adult's lap on the ice explorer, which is sensible). The tour suits most fitness levels—it's more walking-about than hiking. You're paying for the experience and the guide, and both deliver. Families especially benefit from combining two attractions without logistical headaches.
Weather can pull the pin on the whole thing; if it does, you get rebooked rather than refunded, which is fair but means flexibility matters. The Skywalk can get crowded, particularly mid-morning. It's not included, but transport to the Glacier Discovery Center isn't part of the package, so factor that in if you're without a car. Tips aren't included, so budget a bit extra for your guide. Bring a jumper; the glacier is cold and windy.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.