Curator’s statement
Jasper is a bit off the beaten path for the Canadian Rockies. This has huge benefits after braving the tourist hordes in Banff, for example. To see elk blocking traffic on the main street of Jasper and open seats out on the patio at the edge of the lake — these will be welcome experiences! On top of the obvious beauty of the town itself, the #1 most photographed spot in the Canadian Rockies is Spirit island at Maligne Lake. Be sure to stop on the Icefields Parkway about halfway from Banff and Lake Louise, headed up towards Jasper.
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Where to stay in Jasper, Alberta, Canada
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Things to do in Jasper, Alberta, Canada
Once you leave the junction of the roads towards Radium Hot Springs, and especially in between Banff and Lake Louise, you enter Highway 93 to Jasper.
Make SURE to stop, get out of your car and hike a few miles UP to Peyto Lake to see the insanely blue color. There is an upper viewpoint that looks way down on the whole lake — and the color is brilliant!
The Icefields Parkway has a great glacier lookout, with patio, tables and chairs, food, drink and tons of your fellow travellers! You can book tracked vehicle tours out onto the Icefields — but be careful, it's a long way down any crevasse!
Jasper is more of a true small town, look for elk strolling around.
Marmot Basin Ski Area is a huge bowl, where you can simply ski around the top, find a good-looking spot, and drop down when the snow is good — amazing!
Day trips
Maligne Lake
Marmot Basin Ski Area
Edmonton, Alberta
Back down the Icefields Parkway to Banff, Lake Louise, Calgary
Mount Robson, the highest peak in Canada
Jasper Sky Tram
Places to eat & drink in Jasper, Alberta, Canada
Find the Jasper Park Lodge, a few blocks out of the way and a million miles out of the ordinary. The British Royals spent their honeymoon there, just a month or so after we took our Scottish relatives there, out on the patio, overlooking the lawn down to the lake. If it's good enough for Prince Williams and Kate, it should be passable for us commoners! LOL
Syrahs of Jasper
The Raven Bistro
Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen
Harvest Food and Drink
Tekarra Restaurant at Tekarra Lodge
Orso Trattoria At Fairmont Jasper Park lodge
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Travel Advisor
Andrew Larder
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Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, Life In The Rockies At Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Alberta.