Lakes & A Glacier
Day 5 – Banff & the Columbia Icefields
The morning started with a walk through downtown Banff and a coffee stop at Tim Hortons before boarding the bus and setting off on the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic drives in the world.
We paused along the route at Bow Lake and Peyto Lake for some photo stops. The air was so crisp you could smell the pine trees at Peyto Lake.
We then reached our destination, the Columbia Icefield. After a quick lunch, we boarded a bus to head to board a massive Ice Explorer to venture onto the Athabasca Glacier. I had participated in this experience before and while it’s truly amazing, the steep terrain in the ice explorer always makes me a bit nervous. It was crazy to see how much the glacier had changed and shifted since my last visit. It’s truly an unforgettable experience standing on centuries old ice and even getting to taste the glacier water!
Returning to Banff, we did some quick shopping downtown before taking the Roam Bus to the Upper Hot Springs. The cost of the ticket was about $17.50 and while, I really wanted to do this experience, it was very crowded. This would be great depending on the time of day and season, just be aware it may be crowded. Our hotel also had a hot pool as a lot in this area do, and while they may not have the same view, it’s another option.
We ended the evening back at Park Distillery for a late dinner and one last round of their gorgeous cocktails with new friends.
