The newest way to experience the Athabasca Glacier, the Ice Odyssey is a premium small-group tour operated by Pursuit that sits firmly above the classic Ice Explorer buses in terms of intimacy, depth, and access. Rather than boarding one of the massive commercial vehicles with dozens of other visitors, Ice Odyssey guests climb aboard a remarkable, futuristic all-terrain vehicle — purpose-built for glacier travel — with a maximum of just 10 people and an expert guide who brings the full story of the Columbia Icefield to life.

The experience goes deeper in every sense. The vehicle ventures to an exclusive site on the glacier beyond the traditional Ice Explorer turnaround point, so you're standing on ice that most visitors never reach. Along the way, the guide covers glaciology, the history of the Columbia Icefield, and fascinatingly, the glacier's recent role as a NASA testing ground. Once on the ice, guests can explore on foot, taste fresh glacial meltwater, and simply take in the scale and ancient stillness of the place — hot tea served on the glacier is a lovely touch.

It's a significantly more meaningful glacier experience than the standard tour, and early reviews have been overwhelmingly enthusiastic. It comes at a premium price point, but for visitors who want a genuine connection with the glacier rather than a commercial bus ride, it's well worth considering.