It is a member of the snow Apollo genus (Parnassius) of the swallowtail family (Papilionidae).

[1] P. glacialis (Takashi et al. 2001) is much larger than Parnassius stubbendorfi of which it was once considered a subspecies.

The abdominal area of hindwing is deep black as far as the cell, clothed with white hairs; on and along the veins with blackish dusting.

In some Japanese specimens (from Hakodate) the cell-spots and the submarginal band of the forewing have entirely disappeared, or are only feebly indicated.

The type locality is "in Hakodadi (North Japan)" (by lectotype designation).Hakodadi is located near the southern limit of Hokkaido.