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The Columbia Icefield Glacier In Alberta, Canada
If your travel plans are taking you to either the Towns of Jasper or Banff Alberta in the Canadian Rockies, then you simply must experience the …
Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure
Brewster Travel is a tour company that has been around for many years, offering a wide variety of select tours,
in the Province, that are definitely worth checking out.
Columbia Icefield Tour With Brewster Travel
It had been since the late 1970’s, the last time I visited the Columbia Icefield with Brewster in Alberta.
On this trip and once again, this definitely was a major highlight while on our; British Columbia and Alberta camping tour.
My wife had never been, and it was exciting for her to get the opportunity to experience this; Glacier Adventure. My have things changed over the years since my last visit in the 1970’s!
The {Glacier Discovery Centre} was certainly new, complete with accommodations right on site. The Inn, offers; 32 guest rooms, a restaurant and much more for visitors. I could also see that the Icefield had dramatically diminished in size over the years, but still remains the largest ice field in the Rocky Mountains.
This massive icefield is located in the Canadian Rockies, straddling the; Continental Divide, along the borders of Alberta and British Columbia.
Glacier Adventure With Brewster Travel
I certainly would recommend taking the Glacier Adventure Tour, as we did. This tour combines the Icefield Experience, along with the new Glacier Skywalk. Both are certainly worth taking in, during your visit.
Brewster offer a great combination deal, for these two major attractions. Let’s have a look at what you can expect on these two great tours.
“This once-in-a lifetime experience will leave you feeling exhilarated and inspired, with an amazing ride on a massive Ice Explorer to trek onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier and a jaw-dropping walk along the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk at the cliff’s edge.”
The Columbia Icefield Monster Shuttle Buses
Your tours are well organized with specific times given to you, for boarding their massive;
Ice Explorer buses, for the ride up the mountain to the … Columbia Icefield Glacier Viewing Area. So do check in upon arrival, get your tickets and wait for your assigned time to start your tour.
Brewster’s drivers and guides are very professional, informative and eager to answer any of your questions along the way. They will enlighten you on the Icefield itself and the history of those explorers first discovering
this area.
As well, they also touch on the significant impact our environment is now having on this precious; Glacier in the Mountains.
Brewster Ice Explorers
Well again, things definitely have changed over the years!
I remember years ago, riding in a much smaller buses with tracks and not wheels. Definitely not these massive Ice Explorers, now used to get you up and down the mountain.
They are absolutely amazing in size and what they are capable of doing, carrying passengers safely and comfortably up and down some very steep grades.
The kids will love it!
The Ice Explorers remind me of those huge – Monster Trucks, but only a Bus. They weigh in at; 55,000 pounds or 25,000 kilograms!
The Athabasca Glacier In Alberta
Your ride takes just a few minutes from the base parking lot, where you board. The bus will take you as close to and safely as possible, to the end of the massive Glacier. It runs six kilometers in length and one kilometer wide.
You can step out and walk on snow packed ice, formed over 200 years ago, and enjoy the spectacular; Glacier and Mountain scenery!
This is the largest body of ice in the Canadian Rockies and why the United Nations declared this a ..
World Heritage Site
“The Icefield covers 215 square kilometers with solid ice estimated up to 365 meters (1200 feet) deep.
Meltwater from the Icefield flows to three oceans: the Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic via Hudson Bay.”
It truly is, like observing one of the {Wonders of the World} and simply must be seen in person, to appreciate its size and beauty.
It’s sad though, to think that future generations will not be able to experience this marvel of nature,
due to the rapid melting of the Glacier, as a result of Global Warming.
The Glacier Skywalk
Glacier Skywalk Entrance
After viewing the Icefield, your Explorer will take you back down to the base. You then board a comfortable coach, for a ride to the Glacier Skywalk, just a few minutes away.
Here, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the cliffs edge, along the walkway leading to the Glacier Skywalk.
You can choose an audio tour, while viewing the huge glaciers and surrounding mountain views.
This Skywalk is truly a major engineering accomplishment!
Glacier Skywalk Walkway
There are informative displays and exhibits along the way, as you walk towards the Skywalk. These outline how construction was completed, and what was involved during the process.
The walkway runs for one kilometer, where you then arrive at the viewing glass platform – Skywalk. Quite a feeling to stand on the glass platform looking down a 918-foot drop.
Very exciting!
Take in the breathtaking views of the valley below, waterfalls and of course, the spectacular;
Canadian Rocky Mountains!
Reasons To Choose Brewster Travel Canada
Brewster has been around since 1892, started by the Brewster brothers. They offered guided excursions back then, in the Canadian Rockies. They have since become a major tour and travel business in Alberta, and offering vacation packages throughout Canada.
The company now owns and operates 5 major attractions in the Rocky Mountains and their reputation,
is second to none. They have received the {Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence Awards} and many more accolades, over the years.
Whether you choose an organized Brewster Bus tour, or head to the {Discovery Center} on your own, you simply must experience this adventure once in your lifetime.
Driving Distances to Columbia Icefield Discovery Center
- Banff, AB 180 km 2.5 hrs
- Jasper, AB 108 km 1 hr
- Lake Louise, AB 120 km 1.5 hrs
For those of you in Recreational Vehicles, there is overnight parking allowed for a small fee.
This is for self contained units only, and in a designated parking area at the; Discovery Center. Be sure to check with the Center, for updated information regarding overnight RV parking.
Below, I have included the official link to Brewster’s website, to their Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure Tour page, for much more detailed information.
Brewster Glacier Adventure
As well, below is the Parks Canada website page on the Athabasca Glacier, offering a more detailed in-depth look at the Glacier.
Parks Canada
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I Only Endorse Products/Services That Can Be Trusted & Verified &/Or That I’ve Personally Used!
Safe and Healthy Travels!
Although our Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure Tour was in collaboration with Brewster Travel Canada, rest assured, all content and opinions are mine and reflect my personal experience only.
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Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
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