glacier skywalk extends over canada's jasper national park

located at the heart of the canadian rockies, the ‘glacier skywalk‘ forms a fully accessible observation platform presenting panoramic views across sunwapta valley. conceived by brewster travel canada and jointly developed by sturgess architecture and read jones christoffersen engineering, the walkway opens to the public in may 2014, three years after original designs were floated for the ambitious project.

the curved structure protrudes some 30 meters from the cliff’s edge
photo © brewster travel canada (also main image)

the curved glass-floored structure protrudes some 30 meters from the cliff’s edge, encouraging guests to discover a new found appreciation of jasper national park. the scheme is imagined as an extension of the surrounding landscape, built into the region’s rugged terrain. the use of steel, glass and wood echo the natural environment, while the absence of paint and other toxic finishes helps ensure that the project has a near-zero carbon footprint.

a sneak-peek of the ‘glacier skywalk’ observation deck
video courtesy of brewster canada

the scheme presents panoramic views across the sunwapta valley below
photos © brewster travel canada

the scheme is imagined as an extension of the surrounding landscape
photo © brewster travel canada

the platform encouraging guests to discover a new found appreciation national park
photo © brewster travel canada