Classically, glacier fluctuations have been used as primary indicators of climate change. The histories of six glaciers at the Columbia Icefield (Castleguard, Columbia, Kitchener, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Stutfield) were reconstructed using dendroglaciological techniques. Overridden trees document early Little Ice Age (LIA) advances after 1271 at Stutfield and 1474 at Manitoba Glaciers. Athabasca, Dome, Saskatchewan and Castleguard Glaciers reached their maxima in the mid 19$\sp{\rm th}$ century when all glaciers advanced to close to their LIA maximum positions. Columbia/Manitoba, Kitchener and Stutfield Glaciers record maxima ca. 1739, 1713 and 1758, respectively. Two sites have evidence for late 18$\sp{\rm th}$ and early 19$\sp{\rm th}$ century advances. Glacial recession has been dominant in the 20$\sp{\rm th}$ century with maximum rates in the 1940's-60's and 1980's-90's. Frontal recession rates decreased in the 1960's and 70's and Kitchener and Columbia Glaciers advanced. Periods of LIA glacier advance were broadly synchronous between glaciers but the maximum positions were not achieved simultaneously.