Columbia Icefield, Skywalk, Peyto Lake & Glacier Lakes Tour
About This Experience
A full day down the Icefields Parkway with the driving handled for you, which on this road is worth more than it sounds: the Parkway runs 230 km between Lake Louise and Jasper with no fuel between the two ends, and the good stops are strung along its whole length.
The route takes in Lake Louise, Crowfoot Glacier hanging off Crowfoot Mountain, Bow Lake, Waterfowl Lake beneath Mount Chephren, and Peyto Lake, whose meltwater silt turns it the improbable turquoise that makes the viewpoint one of the busiest stops in Banff National Park. The far end of the day is the Columbia Icefield itself.
Read the inclusions carefully, because this is where visitors get caught out. The tour covers the transport, the guide, the national park pass and the sightseeing stops. It does not cover the Columbia Icefield Adventure or the Skywalk, both of which are Pursuit attraction tickets bought separately. Guests who want to ride the Ice Explorer onto the Athabasca Glacier or walk the glass floor buy that ticket on top, and it is worth booking ahead rather than hoping for on-site availability in peak season.
At just over 800 reviews and a 4.7 average, this is the best-reviewed of the budget-priced Parkway day tours in the catalogue, and the reviews consistently name the guides rather than the itinerary, which is the useful signal on a route where every operator visits the same lakes.
Highlights
- Full day on the Icefields Parkway with no driving of your own
- Peyto Lake, Bow Lake and Waterfowl Lake in a single run
- Crowfoot Glacier viewpoint on the way north
- Time at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre for the Skywalk and glacier
- National park pass, snacks and water included
What's Included
- ✓ Pickup from designated points in Calgary, Canmore or Banff
- ✓ Round-trip transport in an air-conditioned van, bus or coach
- ✓ National park pass
- ✓ Local guide
- ✓ Soft drink and snacks
- ✓ Bottled water
- ✓ All sightseeing stops along the route
Not Included
- Columbia Icefield Adventure (Ice Explorer) entry ticket
- Columbia Icefield Skywalk entry ticket
- Meals
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
What to Bring
- Layers, because the Icefield is far colder than the valley floor
- Comfortable walking shoes for the Peyto Lake viewpoint trail
- Camera
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
Good to Know & Caveats
- Skywalk and Ice Explorer tickets are not included and are bought separately from Pursuit.
- It is a genuinely long day at around 12 hours door to door.
- The Columbia Icefield attractions are seasonal, so a winter departure substitutes other stops.
- Pickup points are fixed. Choose the one nearest you at booking.
- Alcohol, smoking, vaping and drones are not permitted on board.
Not Suitable For
- Wheelchair users
- Pregnant women
- Travellers with heart conditions
Meeting Point
Designated pickup points in Calgary, Canmore or Banff (selected at booking)
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.7/5 by 818 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
AK was phenomenal. Friendly, polite and very professional. I highly recommend his services
— Lourdes, Septemb
Great trip and value for money. Guide was very helpful and curteous.
— Mahinda, Septemb
AK was very knowledgeable and he explained everything in detail. Entire tour was planned perfectly.
— radhika, August
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this tour include the Skywalk ticket?
No. The tour covers transport, the guide, the national park pass and the stops. Entry to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk and the Ice Explorer glacier excursion are Pursuit attraction tickets and are bought separately.
How long is the day?
Around 12 hours from pickup to drop-off, depending on which of the Calgary, Canmore or Banff pickup points you use.
Where does it pick up?
From designated points in Calgary, Canmore and Banff. Pickup locations and times are fixed and are chosen when you book.
Is Peyto Lake a stop or a drive-past?
It is a stop. There is a short uphill walk from the parking area to the viewpoint over the lake, which is why comfortable shoes are worth having.
What happens in winter?
The Columbia Icefield attractions close for the season, roughly mid-October to early May, and the winter itinerary substitutes other stops along the route.
