Before I start, I should point out that I really enjoyed Icefield Skywalk. The reason I say that is I shall sound a little critical about it. I don’t want that criticism to lead to the conclusion that it isn’t worth visiting or that we didn’t enjoy it. It is and we did. However, before getting there, it did give the impression of being an elevated walkway over the glaciers. That it is not. Maybe I was reading what I wanted it to say, and their material never made that case but, either way, this is a cool location in the vicinity of some glaciers but definitely not over them.
With that out of the way, this was a very enjoyable experience. Because of its location above a gorge, you have to take a shuttle bus from the visitors’ center to the skywalk. It only takes a few minutes, and the bus drivers do a decent job of providing amusing commentary on the way. Once there, you are free to stay as long as you like and take whichever bus you want back (provided it is from the company you came up with).
From the drop off spot, you walk along the edge of the gorge with a variety of exhibits along the way to look at. You also are getting a great view down at the river and the falls beneath you. The skywalk itself is a semicircular structure suspended out over the gorge. It has, naturally, a glass floor so you can look down and the large drop beneath you. Part of the fun is actually people watching as people either get freaked out or start goofing with each other.
The Martin Mars was the reason we had made the trip to Sproat Lake last year, but it wasn’t the only flying boat we got. At one point, when we were on the dock rather than out on the water, the rumble of engines came to us. We wondered what it might be but didn’t have to wait long to find out. A Grumman Goose came over the top and headed off to land on the water. We were hoping that it might fly around a bit and maybe come over along with the Mars but that wasn’t to be. Just a quick encounter and that was it.
