#AtoZChallenge 2025 – Icefield Parkway

If there is one place that will be forever in my memories, it will be Icefield Parkway – a highway that connects from Banff to Jasper. My aunt and I spent nearly the entire Canadian leg of our trip exploring the scenery along this highway.

It was actually my aunt who introduced me to Icefield Parkway. Before this trip, I knew nothing of the Canadian Rockies or anywhere in the mountainous region of Canada. The unfortunate thing about the trip was we were there too early in the year and didn’t really get to enjoy the lake views. I was told the lakes in this region will remain frozen until June or July. We were there in early May, so most of the lakes in the higher elevations were frozen.

One of the biggest attractions along the highway was the Columbia Icefield, after all, it is called Icefield Parkway. This is the largest ice-field in the North America Rocky Mountain region.

My aunt and I got to ride in a special vehicle to get to the icefield. We were told that only 10 of these vehicles were made – 9 of the vehicles are in use shuttling people to the icefield and 1 was in Antarctica. These facts were all given during the brief ride from the visitor center to the Icefield.

We got off the bus and immediately, I could hear and feel the wind howling in my ears. The ground beneath my feet was solid ice, which made me want to get back on the bus. It was probably the closest thing I would ever come to be at either poles.

Finally, let’s visit a warmer spot along the Icefield Parkway. This is Valley of Five Lakes. It is located near Jasper. After passing Columbia Icefield, the road gradually took us down the mountain, which mean warmer temperatures. Valley of Five Lakes isn’t one of those places that’s on the side of the road.

No, it’s a hike but it’s a good hike. I got to hear nature along the way – birds chirping, leaves rustling, etc.

Of the 5 lakes, this is my favorite because we got to sit and admire the view.