Jasper, Alberta

By Kay Barbaro
Staff Writer

Ok, you’re here in Jasper National Park, you’re all amped up about vacation, and you have no idea what to do. Stop pacing your hotel room lobby, check out this quick activities list, and start enjoying the Canadian Rockies right away.

In Jasper, the road to an awesome vacation is right out your back door.

In 1 Hour, you can:

Learn about Jasper’s history at the Yellowhead Museum & Archives.
Take a look at Alberta’s natural beauty on display at the Wildlife Den in the Whistler’s Inn.
Hike or bike the Lake Annette Loop (check the Information Centre for conditions and trail advisories).
Go shopping! Check out the many quaint and unique boutiques and gift shops in Jasper.
Walk around Jasper; enjoy the views of the Rocky Mountains.

Grab an ice cream cone or some homemade fudge and sit on one of the many benches located throughout Jasper.
Have a picnic! Grab a picnic lunch at one of Jasper’s fine restaurants, lay your blanket down on the Information Centre lawn and relax.
Take a town tour in Jasper’s newest and greenest transportation, Jasper Pedi-Cab.

In two 2 Hours, you can:

Hike Old Fort Point Loop (check the Information Centre for conditions and trail advisories).
Visit Maligne Canyon, where you’ll find hiking trails for people of all levels.
Visit Athabasca Falls.
Enjoy a Jasper Motorcycle Tours experience. Offered for the first time in the Canadian Rockies.

Experience a chauffeured Harley Davidson sidecar tour that is a thrill and adventure for all ages.
Go see a movie in the evening at the Chaba Theatre.
Shop till you drop at Jasper’s charming stores.

In 3 Hours:

Visit Maligne Canyon, walk the six bridges, viewing the limestone gorges and waterfalls.
Check out Jasper Peak Attraction, the Jasper Tramway, for an aerial view of Jasper and Athabasca Valley
Hike the Valley of the Five Lakes (check the Information Centre for conditions and trail advisories).
Enjoy the views of Jasper National Park from horseback with either Skyline Trails or Pyramid Riding stables. Jasper townsite and carriage rides also available.
See and hear birds as never before on a guided birding tour!

Beauty is just a short trip away in Jasper.

With a 1/2 Day:

Drive the scenic Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield and go onto the Athabasca glacier in an ice buggy.
Want to try cliff diving? Head to Horseshoe Lake on the Ice Parkway for some adrenaline pumping fun! (Jump/swim at your own risk)
From mild to wild, try whitewater rafting or a river float trip with one of many Jasper rafting companies.
Enjoy the scenic drive to Mount Edith Cavell and hike the easy path to the bottom of Angel Glacier or hike to the meadows and for a bird’s eye view of Angel Glacier.
Drive to Maligne Lake, take a boat cruise and visit an icon of Jasper, Spirit Island or rent a canoe, fish or hike to a choice of alpine meadows (check the Information Centre for conditions and trail advisories).
Take a dip in the Miette Hot Springs and let the warm water relax every muscle.
Check out Jasper Peak Attraction, the Jasper Tramway, for an aerial view of Jasper and Athabasca Valley.

Dine in the Treeline restaurant at the top of Whistler’s Mountain.
Hike one of the many longer trails around Jasper (you can obtain a Summer Trails brochure/map from the Information Centre)

Tags: hikes, Jasper Activities, jasper national park, shopping |  3 Comments »