Where to get Banff Gondola & Columbia Icefield discount tickets?

Planning a trip to Banff ...

Saw the expensive tickets for

Columbia Icefield - http://www.explorerockies.com/columb...urs-rates.aspx

Banff Gondola - http://www.explorerockies.com/banff-...urs-rates.aspx

If I'm driving around there, are there ways to save some cost to see those attractions without too much hiking as there are elderly in the group.

Thanks in advance for all info.

When you reach the Banff Gondola, ask for the "Alberta Host" card. There are some pamphlets near the ticket counter that explains it.
Basically you pay about 60 bucks and you get to ride the Gondola free for 1 year. Apart from that you get a complementary ticket, and 20% off whoever accompanies you. They also give you 2 for 1 pass for Columbia Icefield and Lake Minnewanka boat cruise.

http://www.explorerockies.com/alberta-host/

HTH.
~D

Originally Posted by rendezvous

When you reach the Banff Gondola, ask for the "Alberta Host" card. There are some pamphlets near the ticket counter that explains it.
Basically you pay about 60 bucks and you get to ride the Gondola free for 1 year. Apart from that you get a complementary ticket, and 20% off whoever accompanies you. They also give you 2 for 1 pass for Columbia Icefield and Lake Minnewanka boat cruise.

http://www.explorerockies.com/alberta-host/

HTH.
~D

Thanks for looking deep into the links. But the above offer is only good for Alberta residents though. Don't I need to present an ID to show that I'm an Alberta resident?

They don't ask for any ID or proof

One needs to provide an address in Alberta (where no communication happens )

That's a good deal for both attractions. If two persons just go on the Banff Gondola, and drive the Icefields parkway without going to Columbia Icefield. It seemed that the "Alberta Host" may not be worth it though. Is there a better discount just for the Banff Gondola ride? Thanks again.

Originally Posted by albundy99999999

That's a good deal for both attractions. If two persons just go on the Banff Gondola, and drive the Icefields parkway without going to Columbia Icefield. It seemed that the "Alberta Host" may not be worth it though. Is there a better discount just for the Banff Gondola ride? Thanks again.

You can climb out onto the ice field for free. Follow the road to the parking lot at the end of the ice field. It's about a 10 min hike up to the edge of the ice field (follow all the people up).

You can climb under the barrier to get access, but don't do anything stupid while you are on the ice like trying to jump over an open crevasse. There's usually 75-100 people out there







Edit - oops, just saw you have elderly people. There's a steep section on the trail for about 100 ft, then it levels off. Hope that helps.

If you have some Air Miles accumulated, you can redeem them for admissions to the gondola and sno-coach (as well as some other Banff-Jasper area attractions). The redemption values seem pretty good compared to the (expensive) regular price. I ordered some Jasper Tramway tickets a few days ago--it says to allow 2 weeks for them to be mailed out.

On the rewards section of the airmiles.ca website, these can be found under entertainment -> parks and attractions -> sightseeing. (Not under travel or leisure & outdoors.)

Thanks for the info on the Air Miles redemption. It might take a while for them to send me the tickets though. :-S

IMO, the Columbian Icefields is a tourist trap -- not worth $50 a pop.

Personally, I had more fun at the Athabasca Falls and that was free! Not sure how old your elderly are and there is a bit of a climb if you want to walk the whole trail.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athabasca_Falls

EDIT: Just realized they've upped the price on the Icefield tour.. Seriously? $50? That's crazy. Come over to my place in the winter and you can walk all over my snow for free!