The Athabasca Glacier is a massive glacial toe to the expansive Columbia Icefield that sits on Canada’s British Columbia/Alberta border. It is arguably the most accessible glacier in North America and offers visitors a chance to get up close and personal with an earth-shaping wonder.

At its terminus, the glacier sits about 1500 meters from the Icefield Parkeay, and a convenient parking lot makes it an easy walk. The proximity and the nearby Columbia Icefield Discovery Center make it possibly the most easily accessible glacier in the world. You can reach the glacier in your car in 10-20 minutes.

You can book tickets from the center on the Ice Explorer (see the link below). However, booking these online in advance is recommended if visiting during peak season. The tour takes visitors high up the glacier and drops them off on the glacier to experience it first-hand. This is done with massive trucks that drive up the steep moraines of the glacier before driving across it to a designated area.

* All vehicles must park at the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre when visiting the Columbia Icefield Adventure and Skywalk. Visitors to the Skywalk must take the included shuttle from the Centre.