Activities & Programs

Winter Activities

The only way to get to our hostel in the winter is to ski or snowshoe up the 12km road from the highway. It takes about 4 hours and offers superb skiing from the hostel. Please contact us for details.

There are some great winter ski trails in this area please check out Parks Canada trail listing.

Hiking

The Edith Cavell Meadows hold most of the breathtaking trails along the glacier. By mid June, the meadows are covered with the colourful and delicate blooms of the mountains. The best time to view the blooms is in late July. The Tonquin Valley Trailhead is also easily accessed from HI-Mount Edith Cavell.

The Angel Glacier Trail (45 min.) takes you on a short walk through the glacial deposits of the past down to the small glacier lake of Angel. Here you are under the wings and if you are in luck, the perfect place to view falling ice. The trail to the glacier (30 min.) is only safe in summer time. It begins across the small creek up along the side of the rock to the glacier toe and just under the right wing of the Angel. The trail crosses over a few old creavasses and gives you a closer view of the mighty Angel Glacier.

Tonquin Valley (17km or 2-3 days) Travel through one of the most stunning valleys of Jasper to the beautiful Amethyst lakes. The trail is heavily used by horses, but there is plenty of wildlife to see.

Columbia Icefield Centre

View the Athabasca Glacier, a huge tongue of snow and ice 6km long by 1km wide. Take the Brewsters' Ice Age Adventure and ride up and onto the glacier via a specially designed Ice Explorer. Open April 15 to October 15.

More information is available here: http://www.columbiaicefield.com/