Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Icefields Parkway (Ice), Worldwide. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Alberta, Canada
- Country
- Worldwide
- Biome
- Alpine ice (1,700 m)
- Best season
- November – April
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Climbing
- Winter Camping
- Skiing
- Wildlife Viewing
Key takeaways
- Biome: Alpine ice (1,700 m)
- Best season: November – April
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Icefields Parkway (Ice)
Topic summary
Weeping Wall and Polar Circus — legendary Canadian ice climbing along Highway 93.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: November – April
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Alpine ice (1,700 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Icefields Parkway (Ice) trip tools
How to get there
Icefields Parkway (Ice) is in Alberta, Canada, Worldwide. Its center point is 52.3500, -117.2500. Use these links for live turn-by-turn directions from where you are, then confirm road, trailhead and access conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
- Banff National Park
The northwestern tip of the park contains part of the Columbia Icefield. This identifies the park setting, not a specific road entrance or glacier access point.
- Jasper National Park
The southern end of the park contains part of the Columbia Icefield. The wider park offers mountain drives and hiking, but a specific starting point needs to be selected separately.
Popular pursuits at Icefields Parkway (Ice)
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Climbing
Rock and alpine lines with approach beta.
- Winter Camping
Cold-season travel and camp craft; layering matters more than mileage.
- Skiing
Ski-touring access when the road closes for the season.
- Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.
Animals around Icefields Parkway (Ice)
Wildlife guideTimber wolfCanis lupus
Big gameBlacktail DeerOdocoileus hemionus columbianus
GamefishPacific SalmonOncorhynchus spp.
Wildlife guideCanada lynxLynx canadensis
Big gameElkCervus canadensis
GamefishRainbow TroutOncorhynchus mykiss
Wildlife guideBlack bearUrsus americanus
Big gameBlack BearUrsus americanus
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Icefields Parkway (Ice)Amazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Icefields Parkway (Ice)
Planning to fish Icefields Parkway (Ice), Alberta? Fishing licences, open seasons and catch limits in Alberta are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing licence at Icefields Parkway (Ice)?
- A Alberta fishing licence is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Alberta fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
Hunting near Icefields Parkway (Ice)
Thinking about hunting Icefields Parkway (Ice), Alberta? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Alberta are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Icefields Parkway (Ice)?
- Confirm the land around Icefields Parkway (Ice) is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in Alberta?
- A Alberta hunting licence — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
The Columbia Icefield setting
The Columbia Icefield gives this Icefields Parkway profile its focus: a large body of mountain ice straddling the Continental Divide and the Alberta–British Columbia border. It is the largest ice field in North America’s Rocky Mountains, covering about 325 square kilometres. Its ice ranges from 100 to 365 metres deep, and annual snowfall can reach 7 metres. Those figures describe a substantial alpine environment, not a small roadside patch of snow. Plan around mountain conditions and distinguish between seeing glaciated terrain and travelling onto it. Warm layers, weather protection and conservative decisions suit a landscape shaped by deep ice and heavy snowfall. A sightseeing plan should not be treated as preparation for independent travel on glacier ice.
Two national parks, one icefield
The icefield lies partly in the northwestern tip of Banff National Park and partly in the southern end of Jasper National Park. That geography is useful when deciding which park to approach for current trip information: the icefield crosses both a provincial boundary and a national-park boundary. Jasper occupies the eastern slopes of the Rockies in western Alberta and spans 10,878 square kilometres, making it the largest of Canada’s Rocky Mountain Parks. Its broader landscape includes valleys, rugged mountains, forests, alpine meadows and wild rivers as well as glaciers. Keep the scale of the park separate from the scale of an individual outing. A park-wide description is useful for choosing the kind of trip, but it does not establish a trailhead, driving itinerary or safe route onto the ice.
Choosing an outing
Jasper offers both mountain drives and an extensive hiking network, with more than 1,200 kilometres of trails covering day trips and overnight outings. These are distinct ways to explore the wider setting rather than interchangeable versions of an icefield visit. A driving-focused day can centre on the mountain landscape, while a hiking trip needs a specific trail choice and a plan suited to its terrain. Overnight travel adds shelter, food and water planning to that preparation. For either approach, carry clothing appropriate for changing mountain weather and choose objectives that match the group’s experience. Confirm current access, applicable permissions and conditions with the relevant park before committing to an itinerary. No particular trail distance, difficulty rating or driving time is established here.
Route options
- Jasper National Park mountain drives
A driving-based option for exploring Jasper’s mountain setting. This is an outing category rather than a defined itinerary; no individual drive or sequence of stops is specified.
- Jasper National Park hiking
Choose between day hiking and overnight travel within the park’s extensive trail network. Select and check an individual trail before planning mileage or assessing difficulty; this is not a glacier route.
Sample itineraries
- Columbia Icefield landscape day · 1 day
Focus on the Columbia Icefield landscape, which spans parts of Banff and Jasper national parks along the Continental Divide. Keep this a sightseeing day rather than an independent glacier outing. Confirm suitable viewing access and current conditions before setting out.
- Icefield and Jasper walking trip · 2 days
Spend one day focused on the Columbia Icefield and another on a day hike in Jasper National Park. Choose a trail suited to current conditions and experience; Jasper's terrain includes broad valleys, forests, alpine meadows and rugged mountains. Confirm trail access before committing to a route.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Variable mountain transition
Do not assume spring means snow-free travel. The Columbia Icefield receives substantial snowfall, so plan conservatively around lingering snow and changing mountain conditions. Confirm access and walking conditions before departure.
Summer
Conditions depend on elevation and weather
Plan hiking around the actual condition of the chosen trail, not the season alone. Glacier surroundings remain an icy mountain environment; carry warm layers and keep sightseeing separate from travel onto glacier ice.
Fall
Variable mountain transition
Prepare for cold weather and possible snow in this high mountain landscape. Keep walking plans flexible and carry enough insulation to manage a colder outing than expected.
Winter
Snow-dominated mountain conditions
Heavy snowfall is a defining feature of the icefield environment. Treat winter travel as a separate planning task: confirm current access, weather and terrain conditions rather than assuming a sightseeing or hiking plan remains suitable.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Variable mountain transition | Do not assume spring means snow-free travel. The Columbia Icefield receives substantial snowfall, so plan conservatively around lingering snow and changing mountain conditions. Confirm access and walking conditions before departure. |
| Summer | Conditions depend on elevation and weather | Plan hiking around the actual condition of the chosen trail, not the season alone. Glacier surroundings remain an icy mountain environment; carry warm layers and keep sightseeing separate from travel onto glacier ice. |
| Fall | Variable mountain transition | Prepare for cold weather and possible snow in this high mountain landscape. Keep walking plans flexible and carry enough insulation to manage a colder outing than expected. |
| Winter | Snow-dominated mountain conditions | Heavy snowfall is a defining feature of the icefield environment. Treat winter travel as a separate planning task: confirm current access, weather and terrain conditions rather than assuming a sightseeing or hiking plan remains suitable. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm entry requirements, activity permits and any booking requirements with the managing agencies for Banff and Jasper national parks.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- Glacier ice requires specialized judgment and equipment; a sightseeing itinerary is not a glacier-travel plan.
- Substantial snowfall can complicate mountain travel. Check current snow and weather conditions before setting out.
- Jasper's rugged mountain terrain can exceed a casual walking plan. Match the chosen trail to fitness, experience and conditions.
- Wild rivers warrant distance from swift water and unstable footing. Avoid unplanned crossings.
What to pack for Icefields Parkway (Ice)
- Insulating layers
- Waterproof outer layer
- Warm hat and gloves
- Footwear suited to the chosen trail
- Navigation tools
- Drinking water and food
- First-aid kit
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Condition-appropriate traction for planned walking
Icefields Parkway (Ice) FAQ
- Where is the Columbia Icefield?
- It lies along the Continental Divide on the British Columbia–Alberta border, partly in the northwestern tip of Banff National Park and partly in southern Jasper National Park.
- How large is the icefield?
- The Columbia Icefield covers about 325 square kilometres and is 100 to 365 metres thick. It is the largest ice field in North America's Rocky Mountains.
- Can this trip include hiking?
- Jasper National Park has more than 1,200 kilometres of trails, including day hikes and overnight trips. Choose a specific trail only after checking its current access, terrain and conditions.
- Does a sightseeing visit require glacier travel?
- Keep sightseeing and glacier travel as separate plans. Do not treat ordinary hiking equipment or nearby access as evidence that walking onto glacier ice is appropriate.
- What landscape should shape the trip?
- Expect a Canadian Rockies setting of glaciers, rugged mountains, broad valleys, forests, alpine meadows and wild rivers. Build each day's activity around one manageable objective rather than assuming all terrain is suitable for casual exploration.