While one may need a helicopter, ice axes, crampons and even a few years worth of mountaineering experience to get onto a glacier’s surface, to tour the Columbia 

Icefield’s all one needs to do is get onto to one of the ice explorer vehicles and get to even experience walking on the surface of a glacier.

Tourist Bus at Columbia Icefields Image Credits – wikimedia.org

There are only 23 of these specially designed ice explorer vehicles in the world, with giant wheels and low-pressure tyres to help them grip on to steep gradients and slippery slopes.

From a distance, the glacier might look like a scenery right out of a winter wonderland movie that boasts nothing other than a serene white background, but as one gets closer to the Icefield one will see how many different shades of white the snow is made up of, from the purest form of white to dirty muddy brown. And if one decides to take a walk on the glacier surface, one will come to realise that the glacier is constantly on the move and new crevasses keep forming anywhere, even though the glacier might look static.

Glacier Skywalk Image Credits – wikimedia.org

Apart from walking on snow, the Columbia Icefield also offers another breath-taking experience that will make you want to never leave, a chance to literary walk in the air! With the help of a very well reinforced glass sheet of course! The Glacier Skywalk is a kilometer long walkway along the edge of a cliff looking out over the Sunwapta Valley, giving you an unforgettable feeling of floating just above the canyon with spectacular views above, ahead and below.

The Columbia Icefield tours usually are operational from April to October and are closed during the winter. One is advised to dress in warm layers, as it can be much colder up at the glacier and the tour lasts for 2.5 to 3 hours in total.

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The Banff National Park is six and a half thousand square kilometers of sheer Canadian wilderness. The park boasts of breathtaking mountain scenery, epic hiking trails, and picturesque camping grounds and lodges. There are snow-capped alpine peaks, glacier-carved lakes, ice fields and snow-covered alpine forests. Banff National Park was Canada’s first National Park and attracts over five million visitors every year. It is the very essence of what people imagine the Canadian Rockies to be. Besides winter sports the park has literally dozens of highlights to explore take a ride on the Banff Gondola for spectacular views of bow valley and the Rocky Mountains, relax in natural hot springs while enjoying mountain views and the don’t miss the Johnson canyon ice walk one the most spectacular treks in Canada. The Lake Louise, also referred to as the jewel of the Canadian Rockies, is transformed into a wonderland of snow and ice in winter. There are thousands of acres of ski slopes to enjoy as well as snow showing, hiking and even sleigh rides and dog sleighing around the lake.  During summers be sure to experience water activities such as rafting and paddling, one could also camp in the backcountry or take a horseback tour.

Take a ride into the Canadian Rockies on the Banff Gondola to be able to access every nook and corner of the mountains. The Banff town being located right on the shoulders of Sulphur Mountain and the Canadian Rockies, the Gondola ride offers a panoramic view of beautiful bow valley and bow river as well as the Banff township below and is incredibly stunning during the summers as well as the winters. There are many outdoor activities and an interpretive trail on the mountain as well as a restaurant. The best time considered to visit is June to August and December to March for the Gondola Tour. With the magnificent Rocky Mountains towering over all around and the vast wilderness surrounding the township Banff, Canada will feel a long way from home but once you’re here you may never want to leave.

How to reach the Gondola base?

To reach the Gondola Base you need to take a short and easy 5-minute drive from downtown Banff. You could also opt for the free shuttle service and directly head to Room Transit. In total, the Gondola ride is a rough 16 minutes up and down. The ride up will take you up to the Sulphur Mountain Boardwalk and Rooftop Observation Deck and has a 360-degree view of Banff.

What are the facilities available?

At the top of the Sulphur Mountain stands a recently developed four-level Banff Gondola Summit Facility. Situated 7,486 feet above sea level and 2,900 feet above the town of Banff, the new facility features plenty of ways to experience the mountains both indoors and outdoors. There’s a restaurant, a coffee shop, a 360-degree observation deck, family-friendly exhibits, a theatre (Above Banff Theatre) and more.

Are you looking to explore the world with Star Vacations?
Please fill out the form, or Contact us  +91 9582896591, We will get in touch with you to discuss the details.

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