Located in the Canadian Rockies, the Glacier Skywalk is just minutes from the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Center on the Icefields Parkway; 1 hour south of Jasper, and 1.5 hours north of Lake Louise.
One of our very favorite scenic drives, the Icefields Parkway has been recognized as one of the top ten drives in the world with over 100 visible glaciers and scenic mountain vistas around every corner.
To add a little heart-pumping adrenaline to all of the surrounding beauty, the folks at Brewster Travel Canada have just opened the Glacier Skywalk offering guests a stunning view of the glaciers above, and the valley floor below, from a cliff-edged glass walkway suspended 918 feet above the valley floor.
As you can see from our photograph, we arrived to the Glacier Skywalk on a rather misty day. Before stepping out on the skywalk, in the rear of our photo, guests walk along an interpretive walkway with audio handsets that describe the valley’s geology, biology, ecology, hydrology, phytology, anthropology, and even a little technology. Phew, that was a lot of ologies, wasn’t it?
And, for those who might be afraid of heights, there is a scaredy-cat walkway that let’s guests peek over the edge, rather than being suspended over the edge.
Now, I’m (David) generally not afraid of heights, but when it came time to step out on the glass walkway, while peering at the valley floor nearly 1,000 feet below, my brain, and its corresponding adrenal glands, thought a very ginger first step was in order. You know, test it to make certain that it was sturdy.
After a few cautious steps, my brain proclaimed it safe, and out I went. Wow! What a view!
After enjoying the view, and slight adrenaline rush with my friend Bob Schroeder, we turned around to notice that our wives, Carol and Karen, we’re waving at us rather sheepishly from the perceived safety of solid ground.
Scaredy cats!
Disclosure: our Glacier Skywalk experience, and the first photo in our article were courtesy of the folks at Brewster Travel Canada. Thanks!
Link: Glacier Skywalk
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