Columbia Icefields - Athabasca Glacier

As Linda said previosly this was a much better bus tour day than the trip between Harrison Hot Springs and Jasper (this day was the day before yesterday if you're wondering why we've reverted to how crappy Nexus is). While the whole day was full of wondrous and magical sights one of the highlights was the stop at the Columbia Icefields which is twice the size of Vancouver.

Specifically we ventured onto the Athabasca Glacier where we spent 20 minutes on the 750m thick glacier itself and another hour in the visitor centre directly across the road. We thought this deserved a post all of its own. Unfortunately the photos really don't do it justice or give a real sense of how super imposing it is. Excuse the rain drops on the lens reducing clarity as well.

    Athabasca Glacier

    The cars and vans in the foreground provide some perspective on size

    Spectacular blue ice of the glacier

    Slipping and sliding away

    A glacier coach - our driver told us one tyre on this is worth more than his whole car.

    On the glacier

    Beautiful backdrop for a visitor centre

    View from the visitor centre dining room