Why is Athabasca Glacier famous?
Canada, north-america
6 km
2,120 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Jasper National Park to be exact, heading to the legendary Athabasca Glacier. This glacier is a sight to behold, a 6 km long, icy river and probably the most accessible glacier you'll ever see from a car!
The road, Snocoach Road, is totally paved and winds its way up from Highway 93 for about 2.2 km. You'll climb 135 meters in elevation, ending up at 2,120 m above sea level at the Ice Explorer boarding station. It's a fairly steep climb with an average gradient of 6.13%, but trust me, the views are worth it.
Heads up, though! This road is closed during the winter months (mid-October to mid-April), so plan accordingly. And remember, the glacier itself has hidden dangers like crevasses, so stick to the safe zones. Get ready for some unreal scenery!
Road Details
- Country
- Canada
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 6 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,120 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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