Why Locals DO NOT Recommend the Athabasca Glacier Tour

For many visitors to the Canadian Rockies, a trip to the Athabasca Glacier is high on the list. 

It makes sense…

It’s an easy stop along the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper, and it looks like the perfect way to experience a glacier up close. 

You’ll see it plastered all over travel guides: giant Ice Explorer buses driving tourists out onto the glacier itself — a “bucket list” experience.

But, if you ask a Banff local?  Most of us would recommend skipping the paid tour.

Here’s why.   

You Can Hike It Instead (For Free)

Here’s what most people don’t realize: you don’t need to pay for the glacier tour to see the Athabasca Icefield up close.

Right from the parking lot, there’s a 1.4 km trail that takes you to the toe of the glacier — about a 30-minute walk, depending on how often you stop for photos (which, trust us, will be often).

It’s well-marked, relatively easy, and completely free — aside from the Parks Canada pass you already paid for.

Here’s the exact route on AllTrails.

The walk gives you way more time to take in the details: exposed bedrock, glacial striations, and signage showing where the glacier used to be — a sobering look at how fast it’s retreating.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, there are longer hikes nearby with even better glacier views:

• Parker Ridge Trail (6.6 km) – A moderate climb with switchbacks through forest and waterfalls, leading to sweeping views of the Saskatchewan Glacier (which you can’t see from the highway).
  

• Wilcox Pass (11.6 km) – A tougher trail that gives you a wide-angle view of the Athabasca Glacier from across the valley. You’ll hike alongside ridges carved by the glacier itself — hard to miss when you imagine just how massive it once was.

And yes, there is a guided walking tour option if you want a more immersive, educational experience without being packed onto a bus. It’s not cheap, but it’s miles better than the standard drive-on tour. (Want a recommendation? Just reach out and we’ll point you to a solid local guide.)

The Environmental Impact Is… Not Great

Here’s another reason locals often skip the Ice Explorer tour: it’s not exactly eco-friendly.

The buses themselves? Massive, diesel-powered beasts weighing over 25 tonnes each. Every trip onto the glacier leaves a physical scar on the ice.

And while the tour company says they’re working to reduce their impact, there’s no getting around it — driving giant vehicles onto a melting glacier doesn’t exactly scream sustainability.

The Athabasca Glacier is already disappearing fast. Since the highway opened in 1940, it’s receded over 1 kilometre. In 2023 alone, it shrank by another 9 metres — nearly the length of a city bus in a single year.

And here’s the kicker: the more the glacier melts, the more people rush to see it “before it’s gone”… which, in turn, makes it disappear even faster. Bit of a vicious cycle.

Locals tend to favour guided hikes or self-guided walks, which tread much more lightly on the environment. Sure, the glacier might still vanish one day — but we’d rather not help it along with every tank of diesel.

The Tour Is… Kind of Underwhelming

Don’t get us wrong — seeing the glacier is incredible. I’ve been a few times, and it still blows me away.

But here’s the thing: the paid tour itself? Kinda meh.

You’re packed into a bus with 50 other people, then slowly driven in a giant Ice Explorer over to the glacier. At first, the novelty is cool. But after a few bumpy minutes, the ride gets rough, loud, and honestly — a bit boring.

Once you get to the glacier, you’re given about 20 minutes in a roped-off area. It’s usually crowded, noisy, and feels more like a theme park stop than a natural wonder. Everyone’s scrambling for the best selfie spot, which really takes away from the whole “awe of nature” thing.

And when you look down? You’ll notice the damage. The glacier is scarred by deep tire tracks. Add in the hundreds of shoes trampling through, and the place starts to feel more worn-down than wild.

Now compare that to walking up on your own: no crowds, no motors, no rush. You can go at your own pace, stop where you want, and actually hear the sound of melting ice— instead of diesel engines.

It’s Money Not Well Spent

Let’s be real — visiting Banff isn’t cheap. And being smart about where you spend your money can make a big difference in how much you enjoy your trip.

The glacier tour? $116 per person during the summer. For a group of four, that’s nearly $470 for what many describe as a short, crowded, and underwhelming experience.

Now imagine what else you could do with that money:

• Dinner at one of the top restaurants in Banff or Canmore (click here for some recs)
  

• Whitewater rafting in Kananaskis
  

• Renting bikes for a full day on the Bow Valley Parkway
  

• Or just having a few extra nights of great coffee, craft beer, and local treats
  

Even better? That money could go to local businesses — places actually run by folks who live here, not giant multinational tour operators.

So skip the big ice bus. Walk the trail, take in the views for free, and use those dollars to support something more memorable (and meaningful) on your trip.  

Final Thoughts 

This glacier likely won’t be around forever, and by choosing to skip the bus and walk instead, you’re doing your part to tread a little lighter. You’ll save money, get some fresh air, and experience the landscape in a way that feels a lot more personal (and a lot less like a tourist conveyor belt).

Been to the Icefields Before? Did You Do the Tour or Hike It Yourself?

Let us know in the comments — we’d love to hear your take.

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