Why is Peyto Lake bright turquoise?

Glacial rock flour in the water

Icefields Parkway Quiz: Athabasca Glacier and Peyto Lake

This Icefields Parkway quiz drives one of the world's most scenic roads through the Canadian Rockies. Play an interactive set of 10 questions on Banff and Jasper national parks, the Columbia Icefield, the shrinking Athabasca Glacier, Peyto Lake's turquoise color, Bow Lake, waterfalls and wildlife along the way.

Start Icefields Parkway Quiz

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Province
Which Canadian province is the Icefields Parkway in?
Ends
Which two places does it connect?
Parks
Which national parks does it pass through?
Icefield
Which large icefield lies along the road?
Glacier
Which glacier can visitors see close to the road?
Peyto
Why is Peyto Lake bright turquoise?
Shape
What shape is Peyto Lake said to resemble?
Oceans
What is special about the Columbia Icefield's meltwater?
Falls
Which falls lie near the Jasper end of the road?
Opened
When was the original road completed?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Which Canadian province is the Icefields Parkway in?
Answer: Alberta
It runs through the Rockies.
Q2: Which two places does it connect?
Answer: Lake Louise and Jasper
It is about 230 kilometers long.
Q3: Which national parks does it pass through?
Answer: Banff and Jasper
Both are UNESCO listed.
Q4: Which large icefield lies along the road?
Answer: Columbia Icefield
It feeds several glaciers.
Q5: Which glacier can visitors see close to the road?
Answer: Athabasca Glacier
Markers show how far it has retreated.
Q6: Why is Peyto Lake bright turquoise?
Answer: Glacial rock flour in the water
Fine particles scatter light.
Q7: What shape is Peyto Lake said to resemble?
Answer: A wolf's head
Viewers see it from a lookout above.
Q8: What is special about the Columbia Icefield's meltwater?
Answer: It flows toward three oceans
Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic via Hudson Bay.
Q9: Which falls lie near the Jasper end of the road?
Answer: Athabasca Falls
The river carves a narrow gorge.
Q10: When was the original road completed?
Answer: 1940
It began as a Depression-era project.

Icefields Parkway Quiz – Athabasca Glacier and Peyto Lake

The Icefields Parkway runs about 230 kilometers through Banff and Jasper national parks in Alberta, linking Lake Louise and Jasper. The first road was completed in 1940 as a Depression-era work project.

Along the way drivers pass Bow Lake and Peyto Lake, whose turquoise color comes from glacial rock flour. Mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk and bears are often seen near the road.

At the Columbia Icefield, visitors can walk toward the Athabasca Glacier, which has retreated far over the past century. Meltwater from the icefield flows toward three oceans, and Athabasca Falls lies near Jasper.

What This Quiz Teaches

Travel fans will enjoy these questions.

Where the road runs
Which parks it crosses
Which glaciers you see
Why the lakes are turquoise
Which wildlife you might meet

Did You Know?

The Columbia Icefield Skywalk is a glass walkway over a valley.
Snow can close the road in winter.
Fuel stops are limited along the route.
Sunwapta Falls is another popular stop.
Bow Summit is one of the highest road points in Canada's national parks.