Icefields Parkway
The Icefields Parkway, between Jasper and Lake Louise, is without a doubt the most dramatic stretch of highway in Alberta, if not in Canada. It is amazing in the summer and completely transformed in the winter.
The Icefields Parkway is 232 km in length and offers access to a vast wilderness of pristine mountain lakes, ancient glaciers, and sweeping valleys. This remarkable travel route winds its way through Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. We highly recommend that you plan plenty of time to stop at the many scenic lookouts, the Columbia Icefields and riverside pullouts.
Summer
This remarkable travel route winds its way through Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. You couldn’t drive the Icefields Parkway often enough to be anything but awed by it.
In the summer, the best time of day to travel the Icefields Parkway is the early morning for several reasons:
- the best opportunity to view wildlife
- less traffic
- able to find parking at the most popular pullout sites
- less likely to have other visitors "photo-bomb" your pics
If you are traveling on the Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Lake Louise, we suggest taking advantage of a deal at our sister hotel, The Mountaineer Lodge in Lake Louise. Stay consecutive nights in Jasper and then in Lake Louise and save up to 20%. Check it out here.
Winter
A compelling stillness settles in on the Icefields Parkway as it transforms in a beautiful drive of solitude and wonder. Roadside stops reveal ancient glaciers shifting and growling, and cascading waterfalls become icefalls. Snow-covered trails entice you to pull over and don snowshoes or skis for a peaceful winter adventure. It calls to winter's outdoor enthusiasts.
Check road conditions before heading out. This road is not a major highway but it is usually well maintained after a snowfall.
