Jasper: The Perfect Mountain Getaway

Jasper, Alberta: A Canadian Rockies Gem

Towering mountains, crystal clear waters, the Canadian Rockies have it all!

By Michele Kadison

Staff Writer

Rockies.com

JASPER, Alberta (Rockies.com) – Sitting in the midst of the majestic Canadian Rockies, Jasper is one of Canada’s famed vacation destinations. With the town located in the center of Jasper National Park, this mountain getaway makes a perfect base camp for nature lovers, outdoor sport enthusiasts as well as those looking to enjoy a friendly, cultural and memorable trip.

History

The area became a regional focal point as rail lines were set up throughout the 1870s. The federal government became interested in all the activity and ultimately designated the region as Jasper Forest Park on September 14, 1907. In 1909, the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway began constructing its line, with tremendous competition from the Canadian Northern Railway when they began laying tracks in 1913. Way back in 1810, the fur trader and surveyor David Thompson visited the Athabasca Valley where he set up a shelter that ultimately became the foothold for trade throughout the Canadian Rockies for the next 50 years.

Once the railway was in place, government officials arrived and the first superintendent set up headquarters near the new train station. The town, named Fitzhugh at the time, was officially changed to Jasper, with outfitters and guides settling in as tourists arrived to enjoy the pristine setting. An administration building was created; stores, a hospital, post office and churches opened and roads were built. The administration building is now a historical site that serves as Jasper’s Information Centre.

Jasper National Park was officially established in 1930, whereby the town’s management shifted to governance by municipality. After World War II along with road improvements, more visitors began coming to the area, which ultimately became a World Heritage Site. Today there are approximately three million visitors to Jasper National Park every year.

Geography

The town of  Jasper is situated inside Jasper National Park, the largest park in the Canadian Rockies. With its snow-covered summits, alpine forests and glacial lakes, Jasper is a nature lover’s dream come true. The town itself is bordered by the Athabasca River to the east and the Miette River to the south. The park is approximately 4,170 square miles (10,800 sq km), with the Icefields Parkway and Banff National Park to the south.

Climate

Protected by a ring of mountains, the valley town of Jasper enjoys cool summers and mild winters. Mild Chinook winds blow in the winter, offering a warm respite from chilly winter temperatures. Snowfall averages 15 inches (38.1 cm) and rainfall in summer averages 1.8 inches (45.8 mm).

Transportation

Fryatt Valley, Jasper National Park

Jasper is located between two major airports, Calgary International Airport (298 miles/480km southeast) and the Edmonton International Airport (224 miles/360 km east). The Jasper Hinton Airport is located approximately 40 miles (64km) east of town, offering charter flights and tour operation. You can choose from a number of coach services that leave from the Calgary or Edmonton airport and go to Jasper.

If you decide to rent a car from the Calgary airport, the drive will take you 4 ½ hours on Hwy #1. If you leave from Edmonton, the drive will take you 3 ½ hours on Hwy #16.

Another travel option is to take a train to Jasper from Edmonton. Trains depart several times a week and no transfers are required. Once you have arrived in Jasper, there is no public transportation, but taxi services are available to take you to tourist attractions in the area.

Attractions

Get an aerial view of the Canadian Rockies on the Jasper Tramway.

One of Canada’s longest aerial trams, the Jasper Tramway was completed in 1964 and features two terminals. The longest terminal has a cable length of 3,280 feet (1,000 m) and transports visitors to the main lookout point at an elevation of 7,472 feet (2,277 m). There are two tramcars, traveling at approximately six miles per second (10 km/sec), with up to 30 passengers in each car. Riding above the exquisite mountain scenery, you will see deep valleys, pristine glacial lakes and Jasper town in its setting of majestic summits. Once you arrive at the top of Whistlers Mountain, you can enjoy the local gift shops as well as the Treeline Restaurant where you can sit in a glass-enclosed dining room with 360 degree views of the mountains just outside.

Museums

Jasper Yellowhead Museum is filled with historic photographs, artifacts and a plethora of memorabilia from the region’s early years. Operated by the Jasper-Yellowhead Historical Society, the museum is a true preservation center for the natural and human history that dates as far back as 10,000 years. Wander the galleries, including the Historic Gallery where you will find railway, trade and tourism artifacts and the Alcove Gallery where you will enjoy viewing antique typewriters, telephones and telegraph equipment.

The Den Wildlife Museum, located in the lower level of Whistlers Inn, houses 130 life-size wildlife specimens including grizzly bears, moose, elk and cougars. Created by Canadian taxidermists, the exhibit has been 45 years in the making and covers the four regions of Alberta’s terrain: the northern forest, the aspen parkland, the mountain area and the prairies.

Natural Attractions

Medicine Lake, one of the most beautiful sights in the Maligne Lake area.

Jasper is perfectly located for easy access to many of the park’s natural attractions. Only ten minutes outside the town are the spring-fed Kettle Lakes, consisting of Lake Annette, Lac Beauvert and Lake Edith. Here you can have a family picnic or go on an interpretive trail to learn about the flora and fauna. At Lake Annette and Lake Edith you will find sandy beaches, which make for a lovely day in the sun during the summer months. Lac Beauvert is the largest of the three lakes, with its emerald colored waters and the famed Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge sitting at the shoreline.

Make sure you visit Maligne Lake and Spirit Island, just 30 miles (48 km) southeast of Jasper . Here you can take boat tours, rent a canoe or kayak, or spend the day angling for trout. At Maligne Lake you can enjoy a wide variety of water attractions. Go to Curly Philips Boathouse, one of the park’s first outfitters, to rent whatever it is you need for an enjoyable day outside. Dining and shopping is also available to make your visit complete.

Just upon entering Jasper National Park at the south entrance, you will find the magnificent Athabasca Falls and Mount Edith Cavell. As you drive along Hwy #93 you’ll see several lookout points where you can take the perfect picture of the breathtaking sights around you. Athabasca Falls is a powerful cascade that drops into a narrow quartz and limestone canyon. You can get close to the falls by following the viewing platforms that line the area.

With its sub-alpine hiking and biking trails, the Mount Edith Cavell region provides a stunning immersion in Canadian Rockies scenery. The mountain stands at 11,034 feet (3,363 m) and is an ideal summit for challenging your climbing prowess. Named after a WWI British nurse who helped allied troops, you will also find the well known Angel Glacier and its meltwater lake, Cavell Pond.

Miette Hot Springs is another interesting attraction when visiting Jasper. With its mineral-rich waters, the hot springs have been a temptation since the early 1800s. Springing from Sulpher Creek, the water emerges from cracks in the mountain rocks after it has been heated by radioactive decay from the earth’s core. The water boils and is forced up, flowing from the mountain at 129.2 degrees F (54C). As such, these are the hottest springs in the Canadian Rockies. When the water enters the bathing pools, it is cooled to 104F (40C) so visitors can enjoy a truly revitalizing soak.

At Miette Hot Springs you will also find two cooling pools, a poolside shower and a spa that offers a range of services for guests. Nestled into the Fiddle Valley, a visit to Miette Hot Springs with it surrounding views and abundant wildlife will revive body, mind and soul.

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