We participated in the Ice Explorer trip as part of the Circle West tour (Key West Travel and Tours).The trip included a ride out onto the glacier and walking on the glacier. Areas safe for walking were marked. Bring a jacket, sunglasses and rubber-soled shoes - and your camera. Rusty, our tour guide on the Ice Explorer, was very informative and funny.
You have to commit a full day for this one as it's about halfway between Jasper and Banff - but it's worth it. tremendous experience to walk on a glacier! Of course, if you are going to, opr coming from, Banff (and if not why not) it's a great place to break your journey. Truly spectacular.
This is the most gorgeous drive in the world! Stop at every beutiful turn, glacier, mountain, lake, river you see. The time spent will be totally worth it.
Besides being cold and rainy it was a definite experience! So glad we got the chance to see it. Very beautiful!
After searching for how to do this on our own I caved and bought a return trip from
Banff and back with Brewster/Pursuit tours. Here is why you do this:
- saves you driving
- enjoy the scenery
- no lines almost anywhere.
- no waiting in any lines.
- guided description of everything.
- stops at scenic pull offs you might not stop at.
- lunch included.
- did I mentioned no driving, no ljnes, and a luxury motor coach with USB ports and a bathroom!
Our driver Rick was phenomenal! His family owned the Deer Lodge on lake Louise before they sold in in 1980 and his stories and knowledge was second to none! Full of history of the area and told us some great stories. A true gem in the company and we were lucky to have him as he knew all the mountain ranges and explained a lot on our long drives.
The tour was awesome and we skipped all lines and shuttle busses to the skywalk and glacier as this company leases them from Parks Canada. No need to park and walk up stairs or wait in lines after line. So much easier.
We even saw two grizzly bears and an elk! Long day but very worth the splurge for this tour. Great bus, nice lunch in a separate dinning area and a perfect guide. A once in a lifetime experience that I am glad we experienced. Not cheap but worth it!
