Icefields Parkway Winter Road (Highway 93)
The Rockies' spine when winter owns the mountains
When the Icefields Parkway shuts down to regular traffic in deep winter, it becomes something else entirely — a 230-kilometer ribbon of packed snow and ice threading between Jasper and Banff through the heart of the Canadian Rockies. This isn’t your summer tourist drive past Athabasca Glacier; this is ice climbing season, when frozen waterfalls like Weeping Wall turn into vertical ice routes and the road becomes a staging area for serious mountain adventures. The route follows the continental divide through Sunwapta Pass at 2,035 meters, where wind-sculpted cornices hang over the roadway and avalanche debris regularly blocks access.
Expert winter driving skills are mandatory — studded tires, chains, and emergency winter gear are non-negotiable. Parks Canada maintains limited access December through March, but weather windows close fast and rescue is measured in days, not hours. You’ll need a capable 4WD with good ground clearance for snow depths and ice ruts, plus cold-weather camping gear if you’re staying overnight at Saskatchewan River Crossing. The payoff is having Canada’s most spectacular alpine scenery to yourself, with opportunities to watch ice climbers tackle world-class routes and experience the Rockies as they were meant to be — wild and unforgiving.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 143 mi / 230 km |
| Duration | 3-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 6677 ft |
| Best season | December-March |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD with winter equipment |
| Nearest town | Jasper, Alberta |
| Land manager | Parks Canada |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | pc.gc.ca |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle this route in winter without modifications?
4WD is mandatory, and winter tires — not all-seasons — are legally required in Jasper National Park from October through April. A stock 4Runner or Wrangler on proper winter rubber can handle the road surface, but carry chains, a shovel, and a quality recovery kit — whiteout conditions and black ice are real, and you won't see another vehicle for long stretches.
When is the Icefields Parkway actually open in winter, and does Parks Canada close it?
The parkway runs December through March as its best winter window, but Parks Canada closes it temporarily — sometimes for 24-48 hours — after heavy snowfall or avalanche activity, particularly near the Columbia Icefield. Check current road conditions through 511 Alberta before you leave Jasper; don't assume it's open because you drove it yesterday.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp along the Icefields Parkway in winter?
A Parks Canada National Park Pass is required to enter Jasper National Park, purchased online or at park gates. Winter backcountry camping requires a separate backcountry permit; frontcountry campgrounds like Wapiti in Jasper town are the only serviced winter camping option along the route.
What's the most dangerous section and what should I actually expect when it gets bad?
The stretch between the Columbia Icefield and Sunwapta Pass is the most exposed — open terrain, high elevation near 6,677 ft, and zero shelter from wind-driven snow. In a ground blizzard you can lose visibility to near zero within minutes while the sky above stays clear; this is not hyperbole, it's a documented hazard on this corridor.
There's no cell service — how far is it between fuel stops, and what happens if I break down?
There is no fuel available along the 143-mile route between Jasper and Lake Louise — fill up completely in Jasper before departure. If you break down, you're waiting for another vehicle to pass or for a scheduled check-in to flag your absence; a satellite communicator like a Garmin inReach is not optional on this run, it's the only emergency line you have.
Trail track
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