Walking On A Glass-Floor Observation Platform Above Sunwapta Valley

Last Updated on September 8, 2016

We really enjoyed our time in the Canadian Rockies in Jasper National Park. The stunning scenery and pristine blue waters really left us speechless and in awe of what our beautiful country has to offer.

When you take part in the Glacier Adventure onto the Athabasca Glacier, you’re also signing up to go walking on a glass-floor observation platform, a whopping 918 feet above Sunwapta Valley, out the side of the mountain. If you’re afraid of heights, make sure you don’t look down, as you’ll see exactly how high you are in the air. Luckily, walking on the Skywalk didn’t phase us, at all.

glacierskywalk2 — Would you dare to walk on the glass Skywalk for such a view?

The Glacier Skywalk attraction was designed to allow guests from all over the world to get closer to nature while being able to learn about the environment of the Canadian Rockies. There are many educational and interpretive displays along the path to and from the Skywalk, and you can use an audio tour free of charge. You’ll learn the geological history and current features of the glaciers, how the landscape was shaped by water millions of years ago, how tough it is to survive in the area, and ancient creatures that once existed.

Walking out onto the cliff-edge boardwalk, you’re able to admire some pretty incredible mountain vistas. If you’re blessed with a day that has good visibility, you’ll be left in awe.

Our main disappointment was that we thought the skywalk would be bigger. It wasn’t overly crowded, but it was a lot smaller than we expected it to be. However, the Skywalk is also quite the feat of engineering, still making it quite impressive.

The shuttle service was great from the Icefields to the Skywalk, and was necessary because there is not the footprint around the Skywalk attraction for cars to be parked in the mass volume that would be required. Busses leave regularly to take you back up to the Discovery Centre, so you’re not left waiting too long. We waited maybe ten minutes before the journey back up.

Interesting fact:

During the height of glaciation, the Rocky Mountains are covered in ice. As the ice moves, it removes a great deal of rock from the peaks.

glacierskywalk1 — We were lucky that the weather cooperated with us that day, because his was an absolutely incredible view!

glacierskywalk3 — One of the many educational and interpretive displays

glacierskywalk4 — Gorgeous waterfalls below : Long before the glaciers appeared, water helped to shape the mountains. It may appear to the eye that the it flows out of the ground, but this is not the case. Covered by an ancient rockslide, the water flows down from beneath the rocks, into the Sunwapta Canyon.

glacierskywalk5 — Isn’t the view incredible?

Know before you go:

There are no washrooms until you get back to the Disovery Centre. Especially with little ones, make sure they use the washroom before you go and limit the fluids if you can during the couple hours.
Your transportation is completely taken care of. There’s a shuttle that will take you back up to the Discovery Centre after you’re done at the Skywalk, so you’re able to take as much time as you need.
If you’re afraid of heights, it will be a great first step to conquering your fear, or just don’t look down.

Do you get nervous walking on glass floors when you can see below you?

Our visit was sponsored by Brewster Travel Canada, but as always, our opinions are our own.