Columbia Icefield Services

Columbia Icefield Glacier Tours

The focal point of our business is our Ice Explorer operation, which has 22 unique Terra tire vehicles operating every 15 minutes over one of the largest accumulations of ice and snow in North America south of the Arctic Circle. The Columbia Icefield covers an area of nearly 325 square kilometers, sometimes reaching a depth of 300-360 metres. Our driver / guides offer an informative commentary, explaining the formation of glaciers and pointing our interesting geological features as well as human history of the area.

Columbia Icefield Chalet

Our 32 chalet rooms offer guests the opportunity to spend a night in this magnificent setting, exploring the Icefield area during evening and morning periods where there are few other tourists around. The hotel rooms are large – most have lofts, and all have private bathrooms, phones and satellite TV. Bicycle groups utilize the chalet extensively, but we also host a wide variety of groups and individuals. The original Icefield Chalet was built in 1939. Climbers on Mount Athabasca used the red roof of the chalet to find their way down in stormy weather. The chalet was renovated in 1966 and then completely torn down in 1996. The chalet rooms were rebuilt on the third floor of the new Icefield Centre, which opened in 1996.

Columbia Icefield Food Services

The Icefield Centre offers two dining possibilities for guests, a cafeteria and a dining room. Both are located on the second floor of the Icefield Centre. The cafeteria offers a wide range of food options, from salads to hamburgers. The dining room is open for breakfast and dinner for guests, and then again as a buffet lunch for tour groups. David and Steve Hong manage the food services, which are privately owned by Mr. and Mrs. Alan Chu, through their company, Columbia Icefield Food Services. The Chu family has operated food services at the Columbia Icefield for over 25 years.

To download menus for the Columbia Icefield Food Services, please click here.

Note:  Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the menu.  Click here to download a FREE version of this program.

Columbia Icefield Curio Shop

The Icefield Centre Curio Shop is located on the first floor of the Icefield Centre opposite the Parks Canada Information Desk. Open from 9 am to 6pm, the Curio Shop offers souvenirs, clothing and postcards; something to suit every tourist. Peter Wright and Associates in Vancouver, BC have operated the Columbia Icefield Curio Shop for over 25 years.

Express Shots Glacier Photo

Glacier Photo is a digital photography company that has the ability, using their digital cameras, to take group and individual pictures for guests before they go on the tour and have them ready in seconds. Company logos, dates and titles can be added to the images to make lasting memories. Digital Express Photography operates this company.

Parks Canada

In a unique partnership, Parks Canada staffs an information desk in the Columbia Icefield Centre. The staff provides information on the area, campgrounds, weather and can issue park passes, backcountry passes and is a checkpoint for climbers ascending Mount Athabasca. Parks Canada staff also takes care of all first aid incidents or emergencies. The Parks Canada desk is located on the main level of the Columbia Icefield Centre across from the Curio Shop. On the lower level of the Columbia Icefield Centre, there is the Glacier Gallery, an interactive learning experience created and maintained by Parks Canada.