The hype
Guests are blown away by the VIP feeling of the evening lounge reception and the silence of the glacier at sunset.
Glacier View Lodge
$300-500/ night
Book this if You want the bucket-list bragging rights of waking up directly across from a 10,000-year-old glacier before the tour buses arrive.
Why People Love It
- Exclusive access to the Moraine Lounge with floor-to-ceiling glacier views
- Complimentary evening charcuterie and cocktail reception for guests
- First tracks on the Athabasca Glacier or Skywalk before the public crowds
Quick Take: It’s a luxury airport terminal hotel dropped onto a glacier—stunning views and exclusive access, but you're a captive audience for expensive dining and generator hum.
Reviewed by @jenzjourneys: I stayed in this Loft Suite and it was the perfect basecamp for our Icefields trip. The view of the glacier from the window is insane, and the split-level layout made it so fun for our group to hang out. Definitely the coziest spot in Jasper.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
Many feel the room rates are steep considering the small room size and lack of amenities like a pool or gym.
- You are a photographer chasing sunrise/sunset over the Rockies
- You want to do the Glacier Skywalk and Ice Explorer without the midday crush
- You appreciate all-inclusive perks like welcome drinks and private tours
Cleanliness & Maintenance
9.3
- Housekeeping: Impeccable. Guests consistently report spotless rooms despite the high turnover.
- Bathroom hygiene: Modern and sparkling. Rocky Mountain Soap Co. products are a nice local touch.
- Maintenance: Excellent condition, renovated recently (2019). Everything feels new.
- Linens & towels: High-quality, crisp white linens and plush towels.
- Odors & scents: Fresh alpine air. No mustiness.
Sleepability™
7MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Building generator vibration
- HVAC systems
Before you book
Good to know
- The hotel is seasonal (May to mid-October) and closes for winter.
- There is a mandatory amenity fee (~$20 CAD) that covers parking and wifi.
- The 'Columbia Icefield Guided Experience' package includes the room, dinner, breakfast, and tours—often a better value than booking room-only.
What to pack
- Layers and a warm jacket (even in July, it can be near freezing at night)
- Snacks and wine (no liquor store or grocery store for 100km)
- Hiking boots for the Parker Ridge or Wilcox Pass trails nearby
Room Genie
Best picks
- Glacier View Room (3rd floor) — waking up to the ice is the whole point of staying here
- Corner rooms for slightly wider vistas
Rooms to avoid
- Mountain View rooms — you save ~$100, but you'll be staring at a rocky slope instead of the glacier (though you can just hang out in the lounge)
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I am celebrating a special occasion and would appreciate a Glacier View room on the top floor, as far from the generator/mechanical room as possible to minimize vibration.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is the hotel actually at Sunwapta Falls?
No. It is at the Columbia Icefield (Glacier Discovery Centre), about 50km (45 min drive) south of Sunwapta Falls.
Can I see the glacier from every room?
No. You must book a 'Glacier View' room. 'Mountain View' rooms face the slope behind the hotel.
Is there cell service?
Spotty to non-existent. The hotel provides Wi-Fi, but don't count on streaming 4K video.
Where do I park?
Guests have a dedicated upper parking lot separate from the day-tripper buses. It is free with the amenity fee.
Are there dining options nearby?
None. You are 1 hour from Jasper and 2.5 hours from Banff. You must eat at the hotel or pack your own food.
Is it kid-friendly?
Yes, but there is no pool or play area. The main entertainment is the glacier tours and the lounge board games.
Insider Tips
- ✨
The 'Moraine Lounge' is guest-only and stays open late; it's the best place to stargaze as this is a Dark Sky Preserve.
- ✨
Book the first Ice Explorer tour of the morning (often reserved for hotel guests) to walk on the glacier before it turns into a slushy zoo.
- ✨
If you book a Mountain View room, just wear your robe to the lounge—the view there is better than any room anyway.
5 things to know before you go
💡The hotel is literally inside the visitor center building; during the day, the lobby downstairs is a chaotic bus terminal.
💡The 'Starbucks' downstairs closes early (around 6pm), so get your caffeine fix before dinner.
💡The tap water is glacial melt—literally some of the freshest water you'll ever drink.
💡You might feel mild altitude sickness; the lodge is at 2,000m (6,500ft).
💡The 'gym' does not exist. Your workout is hiking.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Glacier View Lodge is located and what's nearby.