The Columbia Icefield is the largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies, with the Athabasca Glacier being the most accessible part. To get a scale of it, I'd recommend hiking the Toe of the Glacier Trail and, if you have time, the Wilcox Pass Trail. The only way to access the ice is to join a guided Columbia Icefield Adventure tour.

A Parks Canada parks pass is required to drive the Icefields Parkway ($22/day for a vehicle of up to 7 people).