Official Columbia Icefield Skywalk & Glacier Adventure Tickets

The Skywalk's glass-floored observation platform stands roughly 280 metres (918 feet) above the floor of the Sunwapta Valley. The walkway is a horseshoe-shaped loop cantilevered out from the cliff edge, so you look straight down through the glass to the river, waterfalls and side-valley glaciers below.

Yes. The Skywalk is a permanent engineered structure built to carry crowds of visitors, with a glass walking surface and a glass barrier designed to modern safety standards. It can feel exhilarating to look straight down through it, but it's a fully secured platform — many visitors who are nervous about heights still walk the full loop.

The headline combo ticket includes both experiences: a guided Ice Explorer ride and walk onto the Athabasca Glacier with live commentary, plus entry to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk with a multilingual audio guide. The shuttle that connects the Discovery Centre to the glacier and the Skywalk is also included. Food, drinks and transport to the Discovery Centre itself are not included.

Plan for roughly 3 to 4 hours at the Columbia Icefield for the combined experience, including the Ice Explorer ride, about 20 minutes standing on the glacier, the shuttle transfers, and as much time as you like on the Skywalk. It's worth not rushing — the Skywalk has interpretive stations along the boardwalk, and you can linger at the glass platform.

The Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre is on Highway 93, the Icefields Parkway. It's about 1 hour south of Jasper townsite and roughly 1.5 hours north of Lake Louise and Banff. Most visitors self-drive, since the Parkway is one of the most scenic roads in the Rockies. If you'd rather not drive, look for a ticket option that bundles round-trip transport from Jasper or Banff.

No — the Skywalk and Glacier Adventure are seasonal, operating roughly from May through October while the access roads and glacier surface are safe. Exact opening and closing dates shift year to year with conditions, so check the available dates when you book.

Booking ahead is strongly recommended, especially in July and August when departures sell out. Reserving online locks in your preferred date and departure window and gives you a mobile voucher to scan at the Discovery Centre. If the exact time you want is full, a later departure is usually available — tours leave every 15 to 30 minutes.

The Columbia Icefield Skywalk boardwalk and platform are designed to be accessible. The Glacier Adventure involves boarding a large Ice Explorer vehicle and stepping out onto an uneven glacier surface, which is more challenging — if you have specific mobility needs, contact the operator before booking to confirm what's possible on the day.

The two experiences are most often sold together as a combined ticket, which is the best value and the most complete day. Standalone Skywalk admission is sometimes available, but availability varies by season. If you only want the Skywalk, check the ticket options at checkout — otherwise the combined Skywalk + Glacier Adventure ticket is the one most visitors choose.

Dress for cold, fast-changing mountain weather even in summer: warm layers, gloves and a waterproof jacket, plus comfortable, sturdy shoes for the glacier surface. Bring sunscreen (glare off the ice is strong), a camera, and a reusable bottle you can fill with glacier water. Washrooms are available at the Discovery Centre but not during the glacier portion of the tour.

Mountain weather can force a tour to be rescheduled or cancelled. The operator recommends booking your first available day so there's room to reschedule if needed. If you can't reschedule, a refund is provided. Check the specific cancellation and rescheduling terms shown on your booking confirmation.