Tread Lightly Glacier Hikes
Recommended by 96% of travelers
Jasper, Canada
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Get up close and personal with the Athabasca Glacier on this small-group guided hike across rock, snow, and ice. Walk in the shadow of soaring peaks and discover the hidden wonders of the glacier as your guide shares stories about its history and geology. For those who want to take it to the next level, your guide will look for opportunities to descend below the ice surface.
- Guided hike across the Athabasca Glacier: Get up close to a stunning site
- Small-group tour (maximum 10): Ensures your guide's full attention
- Includes use of necessary equipment, including poles and crampons
- Learn the secrets of the glacier from your tour guide
What's Included
- Use of hiking poles, crampons, footwear
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Glacier walk
- ACMG certified guides
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Transport to the Athabasca Glacier
- Bottled water
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Icefields RV CampingImprovement District No. 12, AB T0M 2H0, Canada
Guests will meet their guide at our Rockaboo Ice Base Trailer in the RV Parking Lot at the Columbia Icefields Center
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Athabasca Glacier
4 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Susan_H
I wouldn't necessarily feel comfortable traversing the glacier alone, but this tour gave me the next best experience. We were able to hike far up the glacier and travel terrain others did not travel. The views were astounding, and I was happy to not be contributing to the problem by traveling via bus and hoarded around with dozens of others. Hiking with a group of ten felt perfect, and I benefited tremendously from the expertise and passion of our tour guide, Max. I love that they are both introducing people to the glacier while also collecting data and hoping to share their dataset with the world. Overall, phenomenal experience and 11/10 would recommend to anyone considering it.
Reviews
4.8
based on 182 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Michael_S, Jul 2026
We had a wonderful time on our glacier hike! Make sure you don't look for the group in the main Columbia Icefields building: their van will be in the parking lot (for us, it was a lower lot that we didn't see and so we needed to ask another guide company for help). There is also not much of a break for lunch, even though our hike was from 10-2, so make sure you pack something easy to eat if you'll need food.
AARON_G, Jul 2026
Our guide Don was extremely friendly and informative....cant beat the knowledge and small group experience! Would definitely recommend these guys to anyone wanting an more personal experience.
Stacey_B, Jul 2026
Tour guide was informative and friendly. Our family of 4 was with a group of about 10 people. It would be nice if there was a way to group people based on physical ability as a few people in our group were much slower and less physically fit, but we are aware that would be near impossible to arrange. Our guide, Ben, did teach us a lot about the glacier and area, though, when we took breaks for others to catch up.
It was too early in the season to rappel into crevasses but it was an opportunity of a lifetime just to be able to hike the glacier. We ended up with a sunny day, but be prepared as it is cold and windy.
Most of the other tours only went to a roped in area where this tour company allows you to hike up the whole lower glacier. The ice spikes that were provided were extremely helpful. I highly recommend this tou
Jennifer_R, Jun 2026
Carefully check weather. If rain is in the forecast make sure to have rain shell/pants.
Although it is rated as moderate difficulty, be ready rocky and unstable ground. Makes a little challenging for older adults or young children
jess_b, Jun 2026
Jim and Ben were amazing guides. They were very knowledgeable and helpful. The glacier was fantastic and we loved how low impact we were with this tour.
Anton_B, Jun 2026
An incredible glacier tour and an unforgettable experience! Everything was perfectly organised from start to finish, and I felt safe and well looked after throughout the entire trip.
My guide was very knowledgeable, professional, and made the tour both informative and enjoyable. He took the time to explain the glacier, answer questions, and ensure everyone in the group was comfortable. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, and walking on the glacier was a truly unique experience.
I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for an amazing glacier experience!
Richard_H, Jun 2026
Great experience. Don't was a great guide. Very informational and great stories. Highly recommend but remember it is about 4 miles and half uphill. I am. 77 and it was not hard but has uneven footing. Loved it!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for the kind words!
We're very glad to hear you were able to enjoy the tour. We pride ourselves on the experience of our guides and the stories they can share!
JL_T, Sep 2025
Once in a lifetime experience! Able to rappel into a crevasse on Athabasca Glacier is not something you get to do every day. Our guide Sarah was amazing, being able to cater to different age groups, fitness levels and yet everyone was able to enjoy themselves!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hey there,
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re so glad you enjoyed your adventure on the Athabasca Glacier. The rappel into a crevasse is definitely something special. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words along to her!
Hope to see you again for another Jasper adventure,
The Rockaboo Team
anne_c, Sep 2025
What an amazing experience. Sara was a fantastic guide. We were able to repel down into a crevasse and loved every minute. Enjoyed the 1+ mile hike to get out to the glacier. Learned a lot about the glaciers
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hey There,
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so glad you had such an amazing experience on the glacier. Sara will be thrilled to hear your kind words!
We truly appreciate you choosing Rockaboo for your adventure and hope to welcome you back for more exploration in Jasper!
All the best,
The Rockaboo Team
George_G, Sep 2025
Rappelling in the glacier was so cool and hiking to it was also fun. On the way to glacier, we learned about the history of it and the science of glaciers impact on its surrounding. This was way better than the bus option and glad I went with this. Shep was so cool and knowledgeable as well.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hey there,
We’re so happy to hear you had such a great time! Rappelling on the glacier is definitely a unique experience.
We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to Shep—he’ll be thrilled to know you appreciated his knowledge and guidance.
Thanks again for joining us, and we hope to see you out on another adventure soon!
The Rockaboo Team.
Al_V, Aug 2025
Max was an amazing, knowledgeable and fun guide. Walking up the glacier, stopping for an optional rappel down into the glacier, and generally being away from the hordes of crowds made this a highlight of our time in the area.
As a side note: Such a better option than those monstrous trucks that belch diesel and disgorge people for 10 minutes of selfie snapping. Pick this tour if you love nature and a deeper experience.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful feedback!
We’re thrilled to hear that your glacier experience with Max was a highlight of your trip, he’ll be so happy to know his knowledge and fun spirit made the day special. We love offering the chance to explore the glacier more intimately, away from the crowds, and it means a lot to hear you appreciated that deeper connection with nature.
Thanks again for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
The Rockaboo Team
Valerie_F, Aug 2025
While it was great to get out on the glacier, you can accomplish most of this on your own in 1-2 hours with a little planning (micro spikes help but plenty of people walk in sneakers!) For regular hikers like me, the pace is dictated by slower walkers so patience is required (which is how this became a 4-hr activity : 3-hr slow walk plus 1 hr of paperwork & gear set up)
Our guide was chatty & friendly but the signs on the trail explains much of what we learned on the walk. Overall I’d only recommend for less adventurous / less active people who would be worried about the DIY option.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hey there,
Thank you so much for your feedback, we’re really glad you enjoyed the glacier walk! We understand the paperwork and prep can feel a little frustrating at times, but it helps ensure everyone is properly set up for the experience.
Even for experienced hikers, most authorities strongly advise against venturing onto glaciers alone. These are active landscapes that shift every day, with hidden crevasses beneath the surface. Canadian authorities specifically discourage attempting to hike on the Athabasca Glacier without a guide, noting that no one should go onto the glacier without being fully prepared and equipped.
For those with more experience, we also offer private options if you’re looking for a quicker pace or have a specific goal in mind. Our small daily groups are designed to strike a balance, respecting everyone’s limits while keeping a steady pace so all can enjoy the adventure.
Thanks again for your input. We wish you a wonderful rest of your summer and hope to welcome you back on a future adventure!
The Rockaboo Team
Jack_F, Aug 2025
My husband and I went on this hike and it was a really great way to experience the glacier. Our guide Don was excellent and made the tour feel more like a walk in the park or glacier!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Hey there,
We’re so happy to hear you and your husband enjoyed the hike! Don has a way of making the glacier feel both exciting and easy-going, and we’re glad it felt that way for you. We’d love to have you join us again for another adventure!
The Rockaboo team.
senta_e, Aug 2025
The only way to see the glacier! Forget about the big bus tours. So knowledgeable and safe and made it such an adventure for us. We were the only ones out there once we passed a certain point and left the crowds behind. It was magical and breathtaking
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for the kind words! We're so glad you had a magical experience out there, it really is something special once you leave the crowds behind. Our guides love what they do, and it's always a joy to share these incredible places with awesome guests like you.
Hope to see you again for another adventure!
– The Rockaboo Team
Susan_H, Jul 2025
I wouldn't necessarily feel comfortable traversing the glacier alone, but this tour gave me the next best experience. We were able to hike far up the glacier and travel terrain others did not travel. The views were astounding, and I was happy to not be contributing to the problem by traveling via bus and hoarded around with dozens of others. Hiking with a group of ten felt perfect, and I benefited tremendously from the expertise and passion of our tour guide, Max. I love that they are both introducing people to the glacier while also collecting data and hoping to share their dataset with the world. Overall, phenomenal experience and 11/10 would recommend to anyone considering it.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Wow, Thank you so much for this thoughtful and heartfelt review!
We’re so happy to hear that the tour gave you the kind of meaningful glacier experience you were looking for. Exploring those quieter, less-traveled areas really does make it special.
Thank you again for joining us, and for being such a mindful and enthusiastic guest. We’d love to welcome you back anytime!
– The Rockaboo Team
Laura_H, Jul 2025
Had an amazing Glacier Hike with Eric. It's obvious that he loves what he does and it so good at it. His hiking pace was perfect as well as knowing when to share info and when to let us soak in the majesty of the glacier. Rockaboo Mountain Adventures provided all of the necessary gear with added extras like gloves and hats for anyone who needed them. I 100% recommend this company for outdoor adventures!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you so much for the glowing review! We're thrilled to hear you had an amazing glacier hike with Eric — he truly has a passion for what he does, and it shows.
Thanks again for the recommendation — we’d love to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
– The Rockaboo Team
Nancy_B, Jun 2025
Shep was an awesome guide and provided excellent information about glaciers, the terrain and his own experiences skiing, hiking and mountain climbing. Loved the tour!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Hi Nancy,
We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the tour and that Shep made it such a memorable experience. His passion for the mountains truly shines through — we’ll be sure to pass your feedback along to him!
Hope to see you on another adventure soon!
– The Rockaboo Team
Karissa_C, Oct 2024
Eric is a great guide- very knowledgeable. Challenging and safe at the same time. Strongly recommend this experience.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Hello Karissa,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the experience with Eric.
Happy Hiking!
Ellie_D, Sep 2024
Had a great time with a hike led by Eric. There was snowfall overnight on 19 September which meant that the glacier was covered in snow for our morning hike, making for an incredible view and experience. Rather than walking on ice it was snow, which felt magical. Eric taught us a lot about the receding of the glacier, and he even collected data whilst we were on the hike. We walked at a good pace for us (fit in our mid-30s) and there was plenty of opportunity for photos. We were disappointed to find out that they were no longer having participants rappel into the crevasse as my partner had been looking forward to this, but the reasoning because of concerns regarding the potential for requiring emergency services at a time when they’re crucial in Jasper was completely fair. I think they should update their website and Viator to reflect this as it’s likely the selling point for their tour so a bit unfair to customers. That said, we had a fantastic time and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to others.
Mitchell_K, Aug 2024
An incredible unique experience to hike on a glacier. Shep, our guide, was great. He was informative, answered all our questions, and made it an enjoyable experience.
It didn't hurt that we had a beautiful bluebird day.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Hi Mitchell,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. Shep is a total pro and we are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time on the Athabasca Glacier with him. Those sunny bluebird days are the best!
Happy Hiking!
Michele_M, Aug 2024
Viator - do better! Unfortunately Jasper is closed secondary to fires. Very disappointed how this has been handled. I have asked numerous times about this excursion & no response. Expecting a full refund. Very disappointed you asked for a review-THIS EXPERIENCE WAS CANCELLED!
Hima_B, Jun 2024
Shep was a great and a friendly guide. Would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to hike the world’s most-studied glacier
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Hello Hima,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We appreciate your recommendation and are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time with Shep.
Happy Hiking!
Cynthia_H, Sep 2023
The whole experience was memorable. Our tour guide was amazing and love that she was also collecting valuable data to track the movement of the glacier.
We felt privileged to have experienced something so special and unique especially coming from Australia where we don’t have this landscape accessible to us.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Hello Cynthia,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! We appreciate your kind words, and are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the experience!
Happy Hiking back in Aus!
Vilayphanh_I, Aug 2023
Eric and Jack emanate a deep passion, warmth, and breadth of knowledge for the Columbia Icefield. They were extremely organized, checked-in frequently with the group, and made a lasting impression on us by affording the opportunity to rappel down into the glacier. I have recommended this tour to a group of friends coming to Banff next month. I believe the experience and knowledge provided on the tour was worth the price, and would do it again in a heartbeat. I felt very safe on the glacier with our amazing guides!
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Thank you so much for this wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the experience and above all, felt safe with Jack and Eric, I will make sure they receive your praise!
Happy Hiking!
Gerald_R, Aug 2023
Had a great time. Thank you so much, learnt a lot about glacier history. We'll come back and do it again.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Thank you for choosing Rockaboo for your glacier hike! We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed the trip.
Happy Hiking!
Amy_K, Aug 2023
We loved this hike with our guide Simon and his helper Kendra. They made sure we were safe the entire hike and shared their knowledge of the Athabasca Glacier. Very personable and fun! Much more fun than riding the big bus. The views were amazing!
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Hi Amy, thank you for taking the time to write these kind words. We are happy to hear that you enjoyed your trip and we will make sure to pass this on to Simon and Kendra .
All the best to you guys!
Richard_D, Aug 2023
Simon did an exceptional job providing a safe and fun excursion. Would highly recommend the glacier trip with Simon.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Hey Richard,
Thank you so much for your kind words, we will definitely make sure Simon knows about this review !
Once again, thank you for choosing Rockaboo, have a great rest of summer!
Rockaboo team.
Hannah_C, Jul 2023
My husband and I booked this as an activity on our honeymoon and it was one of our favourite things that we did! Very experienced guides with great knowledge of the glacier and local area. They obviously care very much about the environmental impact and keep it to a minimum! An amazing experience to be able to walk on the glacier, see meltwater channels, moulins and crevasses! You even get the oppotunity to abseil into a crevasse. Highly recommend as an activity when travelling between Jasper and Banff.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Hi Hannah,
We feel really fortunate to have shared some time with both of you on your honeymoon and we are happy that you enjoyed it.
Thanks for taking the time to leave such a nice review for us.
Congratulations on your mariage, we hope the rest of your trip was amazing!
Julie_S, Jul 2023
We loved our experience! Favorite activity on our trip through Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper. Our teens thought it was a great day!
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Hi Julie,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, we are happy to hear that you enjoyed your Tread Lightly Glacier Hike!
Happy Hiking!
Suchismita_P, Jul 2023
Excellent guided experience on the glacier with minimal footprint, beautiful views, and an opportunity to lower into a crevasse. I highly recommend Rockaboo/this tour.
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your hike on the Athabasca Glacier!
Happy Hiking!
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