August 28, 2026
After an early morning walkabout we left Jasper on our way to Banff by coach.
We drove via the famous Icefields Parkway, a 144-mile road between Jasper and Banff that passes through some incredible scenery. 9 The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) in Alberta, Canada, is a legendary 232 km (144 miles) stretch of road winding through the Canadian Rockies. Connecting Lake Louise in Banff National Park with the town of Jasper, it is world-renowned for its dramatic glaciers, turquoise lakes, and frequent wildlife sightings.
Our first stop of the day was the Athabasca Falls. The 23-metre Athabasca Falls is not very high by Canadian Rockies standards, but the size of the river makes it one of the most powerful falls to be found in the mountain national parks. Pouring over a layer of hard quartzite, the falls have cut into the softer limestone beneath, carving intricate features, including potholes and a short canyon.
Flowing from the glaciers of the Columbia Icefield, the Athabasca River is the largest river system in Jasper.
Our next stop was the Icefields Center, where we got to view the remarkable Athabasca Glacier, nestled between towering peaks. The Athabasca Glacier is one of the six principal ‘toes’ of the Columbia Icefield, located in the Canadian Rockies. The glacier currently loses depth at a rate of about 5 metres per year and has receded more than 1.5 km and lost over half of its volume in the past 125 years
We had an option to a ride across the ice field in a giant, all-terrain Snocoach know as the Ice Explorer so of course I was first on board. Walking on the glacier was challenging but what an incredible adventure. I did learn that white ice is sticky and blue ice is slick. I used a water bottle to capture some glacier water which is suppose to make you 10 years younger. I will be doing a glacier facial tonight and will report back.
From here, we head towards Peyto Lake, passing rugged mountains and a blanket of pine forests, before admiring the stunning turquoise waters of the lake. Peyto Lake is a glacier-fed lake in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. The lake is near the Icefields Parkway in Alberta, Canada. It was named for Bill Peyto, an early trail guide and trapper in the Banff area.
We journeyed on through the Canadian Rockies, past many of its highest and most formidable peaks including many amazing glaciers.
We arrived in Banff late in the afternoon and checked into our castle like hotel, The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. A stunning hotel with spectacular views!!!!
The trek on the glacier qualified this as a “Best Day Ever….So Far”!!!
