Columbia Icefield

Located at the height of Sunwapta Pass on the boundary of Banff & Jasper National Parks, the Columbia Icefield lies along North America’s Continental Divide. This unique location marks the source of the continent’s only TRUE hydrological apex, where meltwaters from Snow Dome flow toward three separate oceans: the Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic.

As the premier destination along the Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93) and a popular day trip from Nordegg, the Glacier Discovery Centre provides an introduction to this powerful landscape through engaging interpretive exhibits exploring glacial movement, mountain geology, and the evolving relationship between climate and ice. The Centre also offers a variety of dining options and access to two of the area’s signature experiences: the Glacier Adventure, where specially designed Ice Explorer vehicles transport visitors directly onto the Athabasca Glacier, and the Skywalk, where a suspended glass platform is all that separates you from the rugged terrain nearly 300 metres below.

The surrounding region also offers some of the finest day hiking in the Canadian Rockies. Accessible trails such as Parker Ridge reward hikers with breathtaking views of the Saskatchewan Glacier, while Wilcox Pass provides sweeping, elevated perspectives of the Athabasca Glacier and surrounding icefields. Together, these trails offer an unforgettable glimpse into one of Canada’s most iconic mountain landscapes.