Rocky Mountain tour company unveils new electric Ice Explorer

Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality Inc. has released images of its new all-electric Ice Explorer, the world's first tour bus of its kind to operate in the challenging environment of the Athabasca Glacier, southeast of Jasper, Alta. (Supplied/Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality Inc.)

A company that organizes tours of the Columbia Icefield has unveiled a brand-new electric vehicle to enhance the guest experience in the Rocky Mountains.

Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality Inc. says its new Ice Explorer is the world’s first, illustrating the company’s commitment to protecting the iconic and sensitive Athabasca Glacier.

• Sign up for breaking news alerts from CTV News, right at your fingertips
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

“The Columbia Icefield is one of the most significant places where we operate and how we show up here matters,” said Stuart Back, chief operating officer, Pursuit Banff Jasper Collection in a Wednesday news release.

“Starting with one vehicle is intentional. It allows us to deepen guest connection, learn in real-world conditions, and apply those learnings thoughtfully over time.”

The vehicle will be operating as part of Pursuit’s Columbia Icefield Adventure in Jasper National Park and officials say guests will feel the difference “immediately.”

“(It has) a quieter cabin that allows the natural sounds of the glacier to come through,” Pursuit said.

“The redesigned frame is more than 50 per cent lighter than the original and integrates bifacial solar panels, regenerative braking and advanced safety systems designed for glacial conditions including geofencing technology that automatically manages speed and applies braking in designated areas of the glacier.”

Tye Noble, president of Noble Northern, the company that led the engineering and construction of the vehicle, said this pilot is important because it shows the technology is ready for “one of the most demanding operating environments.”

“We rebuilt this vehicle from the chassis up to be as light and efficient as possible while meeting the demands of glacial terrain,” he said.

“Five years ago, you wouldn’t have considered six kilowatts of solar to be a possibility on a vehicle like this.”

In addition to the new electric vehicle, Pursuit said it has “fully refurbished” 10 of its other Ice Explorers with new EPA Tier 3 and Tier 4 diesel engines to reduce emissions.

The company has also replaced its diesel generator at the Columbia Icefield with propane, reducing the facility’s carbon footprint by more than 30 per cent.

2020 Ice Explorer crash killed 3, injured 14

The announcement comes almost six years after a fatal crash involving an Ice Explorer on a road leading to the Athabasca Glacier.

On July 18, 2020, three people died and 14 others were injured when the vehicle lost control and rolled 50 metres down a hill, coming to a rest on its roof.

Brewster Inc., a company connected to Pursuit, was not criminally charged, but did plead guilty to two charges under the province’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.

It was fined $475,000 for failing to mandate seatbelts and failing to control hazards.

The Columbia Icefield Adventure is currently open for the 2026 season. Further information can be found online.