Glacier Skywalk Columbia Icefields

The Glacier Skywalk is a glass floored observation platform overlooking the Sunwapta Canyon in Jasper National Park.


The glass floored observation platform is 280 metres (918 feet) above the Sunwapta Valley. The glass is 3.81 cm thick, if that reassures anyone.

The skywalk took three years to construct and cost CAD$21 million.

I should be clear that the term ‘glacier skywalk’ is not exactly accurate. It is a walk over the Sunwapta Valley, rather than a glacier.

Visitors catch a shuttle bus from the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre. Shuttle buses leave every 15 minutes during operating hours, and it is approximately a five minute trip.

There is an audio guide available. Although one of the staff did tell me that what was  covered on the audio guide is on the interpretive signs. The signs or audio guide have information on the landscape and wildlife in the area.

The Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre is on Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 North), approximately 1 hour south of Jasper or 2.5 hours north of Banff.

It is usually open mid April/May till October.