The tongue of the Athabasca Glacier runs from the Columbia Icefield almost down to the road opposite the Icefield Centre and can be visited on foot or in specially designed buses. The glacier has retreated about 1.6km in the last 150 years. To reach its toe (bottom edge), you can walk directly from the Icefield Centre on the 1.8km Forefield Trail and then join the 1km Toe of the Athabasca Glacier Trail .
While it is permitted to stand on a small roped section of the ice, do not attempt to cross the warning tape. Many do, but the glacier is riddled with crevasses and there have been fatalities.
To walk safely on the Columbia Icefield, you'll need to enlist the help of Athabasca Glacier Icewalks , which supplies all the gear you'll need and a guide to show you the ropes. It offers a three-hour tour (departing 10am or 1:30pm daily June to September), and a five-hour option (Sunday and Thursday) for those wanting to venture further out on the glacier.
The other far easier (and more popular) way to get on the glacier is via a Snocoach ice tour offered by Brewster. For many people this is the defining experience of their Columbia Icefield visit. The large hybrid bus-truck grinds a track onto the ice where it stops to allow you to go for a short walk in a controlled area on the glacier. Dress warmly and wear good shoes. Tickets can be bought at the Icefield Centre or online; tours depart every 15 to 30 minutes.
