 In the Canadian Rockies , glaciers are generally larger and more widespread than to the south in the Rocky Mountains . One of the more accessible in the Canadian Rockies is the Athabasca Glacier , which is an outlet glacier of the 325 km2 ( 125 sq mi ) Columbia Icefield . The Athabasca Glacier has retreated 1 @,@ 500 m ( 4 @,@ 900 ft ) since the late 19th century . Its rate of retreat has increased since 1980 , following a period of slow retreat from 1950 to 1980 . The Peyto Glacier in Alberta covers an area of about 12 km2 ( 4 @.@ 6 sq mi ) , and retreated rapidly during the first half of the 20th century , stabilized by 1966 , and resumed shrinking in 1976 . 
