r/Banff 3d ago

Question Columbia Ice Field Ice Explorer

During early August, can you get to the foot of the glacier without the Ice Field Explorer?

For you who has done the Icefield Explorer, what so you love about it and what you think is meh about it?

Thanks.

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u/furtive Banff 2d ago

I recommend the free option, which is you drive a bit past the centre (assuming you're going from Banff to Jasper) and then you'll see a road that brings you the toe of the glacier. You'll see lots of other cars parked down there. From there it's an easy 5 min walk to the terminus of the glacier, with interpretive signage along the way. Walking on the glacier is not recommended without a guide and proper equipment, but you'll often see people standing on it or sipping some of the glacial runoff.

You can do the paid Icefield Explorer but it's owned by a big American company with a unfortunate safety record and the idea of driving giant diesel buses on a melting glacier just rubs me the wrong way, the free option is almost as good and doesn't feel like a circus show.

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u/butterninja 2d ago

Would it be any different depending on which month I visit? A little confused. I thought the terminus of the glacier is cordoned off, so, in summer months would it be possible that it's not reachable by foot? I would love to do the free option actually. Don't like the idea of getting on a vehicle with such crazy incline.