9th May 2025

Today has been a day we have all been very excited for.

The opportunity to visit and actually walk on one of the ancient glaciers in this part of Canada.

Before that tho, we must mention the dreadful sleep that Stuart and had on our side of the Hotel.

The Hotel sits directly beside the train track of the Canadian pacific railway. All night, probably every hour or so approx near 150 carriages with 3 engines travelled under our window.

The window had to be open coz the dodgy aircon wasn’t working. Oh my, it almost became laughable.

I am so glad Geoff and Lisa did a little better as they were on the other side of the Hotel 

A little bit of a later start today and after a hearty breakfast, we head off. Today we travel again through Banff National Park on our way to the Icelands Parkway that runs through Banff and Jasper National Park.

We are getting higher and the scenery is nothing short of spectacular.

We pass a number of glaciers, including Crows foot, Bows summit before driving along the very beautiful Bow river/ lake where we make a stop.

Our guide Alex has so many great stories of all the explorers that travelled these regions such a long time ago. 

Brave and just a little bit crazy I think.

Bow Lake is something else, it’s frozen over like Lake Louise, possibly a little larger and not crowded.

Just beautiful.

From here we travel upwards further to cross Howse Pass, this is still in Banff National Park and links the North Saskatchewan and Columbia river systems. There is a short circuit walk to do that gives you access to the whole area which is stunning.

We are on constant bear alert but have yet to see any. We have seen Elks tho, which is pretty special.

We continue along the ice parkway stopping at so many photo opportunities, I cant remember the names of them all.

We arrive at the Columbia Ice fields at about lunch time and we have a little free time before joining the ice explorer that will take us on the ancient Athabaska Glacier.

It’s fun, it’s beautiful and it’s cold. We only get to spend about 30 or so minutes on the glacier which is fabulous but it is also quite the adventure getting to and from. 

Back to the Columbia discovery centre, everyone on board and it’s a 2 hour direct drive back to Canmore.

Luckily having 2 nights beside the train tracks.

Dinner at the pub next door and off to bed to give sleep another crack.