Glaciers are enormous and thick masses of ice that accumulate over many years when a substantial amount of snow falls in one area. Over time, the snow becomes compressed under the weight of new snow and transforms into ice, ultimately giving rise to a glacier. Glaciers covered approximately one-third of the Earth’s surface during the last Ice Age. However, they cover only about 10% of the Earth’s surface today.
The massive bodies of ice can be found worldwide in alpine, polar, and northern and southern latitudes. They vary in age from the 45-year-old Crater Glacier in Washington to Antarctica’s nearly million-year-old ice caps. To help you plan your next adventure, we’ve compiled a list of the best places to visit glaciers worldwide.
Alaska – Alaska has an estimated 100,000 glaciers and is one of the most popular destinations for glacier seekers. Visit the Bering Glacier, the largest glacier in Alaska at over 126 miles long and four miles wide, or the Prince William Sound, home to over one hundred named glaciers and active tidewater glaciers that regularly calve icebergs.
Iceland – Known as the land of ‘fire and ice,’ Iceland is a frozen paradise with over 11% of the land area covered in icecaps, including one of the largest glaciers in Europe, Vatnajokull, which spans 3,127 square miles.
New Zealand – Most New Zealand glaciers are located near the Main Divide in the Southern Alps in the South Island, including the two most famous glaciers in – Fox and Franz Josef. Head to New Zealand’s highest peak, Mount Cook, to see the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s largest glacier in length and width.
Antarctica & Patagonia – Antarctica accounts for approximately 85% of the earth’s glacier coverage. The Antarctic ice sheet has been around for over 40 million years. According to the U.S. Geological Service, it could raise sea levels to 210 feet worldwide if it melts. Read about Randy Kramer, Owner, and John Crawley, Travel Advisor of Stellar Travel’s recent journey to Antarctica here.
To reach Antarctica, you will pass through Patagonia, a region straddling the south of Chile and Argentina. Home to a vast wilderness of forests, lakes, and snowcapped peaks, including the Chilean Fjords, which offers the chance to witness calving glaciers in remote bays and spot Magellanic penguins.
Canada – The breathtaking Icefields Parkway is located between Jasper and Lake Louise in Alberta. This 143-mile stretch of road is home to over 100 glaciers, towering mountains, stunning waterfalls, and emerald lakes. The Columbia Icefield is a must-see attraction along the route, where visitors can ride onto the Athabasca Glacier.
Escape into a world of breathtaking wonders as you witness the raw beauty of majestic glaciers! Let our experienced travel advisors curate an unforgettable adventure tailored just for you. Contact us to start planning your glacier adventure.