Ok, this is it, summer’s just about to end in the Canadian Rockies. But wait! there’s still so much more to do. If you’ve got the chance, you’ll definitely want to pay Lake Louise a visit while it’s still warm. It’s widely known as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, ringed by beautiful mountains, with a castle sitting at the foot of some of the most beautiful blue-green water you’ll ever see.

Lake Louise offers some great outdoors vacation opportunites for the summer.

Once you’ve taken in the amazing beauty of the Lake and the surroundings, there’s plenty of fun stuff to do in the outdoors around Lake Louise in Banff National Park.  Below you’ll find 5 suggestions for things to do around Lake Louise while it’s still warm.

1. Take a nature walk along the Bow River Loop. It’s a great place to spend a quiet summer afternoon in the Canadian Rockies and enjoy the surrounding beauty.
2. Mountain bike on over to the Great Divide picnic area by using the #1A Great Divide Highway from Lake Louise. As of 1999, this highway is car-free and only used as a paved bike path. It is about a six kilometer bike ride to the picnic area. Tips for non cyclers – you can still reach this area by motorized vehicle. Take the Trans-Canada (#1) west of Lake Louise for ten minutes and turn left to join the #1A (also the turnoff for Lake O’Hara).
3. Paddle across beautiful Moraine Lake in a rented canoe. Moraine Lake is the first site of an aquatic restoration project in Banff National Park so you can see biologists and scientists removing invasive species to reintroduce the endangered bull trout. Walk along the Rockpile Trail to the canoe rental station located on the right.
4. Have a quiet picnic at the Corral Creek picnic area located about ten minutes from Lake Louise on the #1A Bow Creek Parkway. You can have a fire and there are open grassy areas for family games. Take a short walk to McNair Pond to observe the ducks.
5. Enjoy the flowers along Moraine Lake Road. Usually you would have to hike to see the show, but you can drive this road and stop at all the pull outs to see and smell the wildflowers. Sketch as many flowers as you can and identify them at the visitor centre. Please don’t pick any of the flowers since some of them are endangered species.

Once September arrives, you’ll start to notice a little nip to the air here in Jasper National Park, especially in the morning.

Jasper is the place for Canadian Rockies vacations.

For a lot of us, that means camping season is over. Who likes waking up in the middle of the night with cold feet, having to crawl out of the sleeping bag to get dressed while shivering, and breaking down a tent with blue hands? Not me.

But hey, don’t give up on camping quite yet. There’s still the Cottage Tents being offered by Parks Canada.

These are basic-furnished tents 14 feet in length and 20 feet in width, that are tall enough to stand in. You’ll find them to be much roomier than your typical tent. They also come with a picnic table, food locker, kitchen utensil locker, fire box and parking site for one vehicle.

Of course, there’s no setting up or tearing down in cold weather or otherwise with the cottage tents. They’re set up, fully stocked and cleaned before you arrive.

You’ll find them at Whistlers campground. This campground is just three kilometers from Jasper townsite, so you can get here easily, but don’t worry, you won’t feel like you’re camping in town. Whistler’s is in a beautiful forested area that is quiet and a natural setting. Just enough wilderness, but not too much.

These convenient cottage campsites even have fire boxes to set the mood as things wind down to a tranquil evening by the fireplace.

Each unique cottage tent includes one double bed and mattress and bunk beds with mattresses, so campers need only their own sleeping, but even bed linen is provided. In addition, two fold-out lounge chairs can each be made into a single bed if needed. Two electric wall lights are in each cottage tent, plus electric baseboard heating to keep things cozy on chilly nights. Add the extras like clothes hangers and cleaning supplies, and these tents define luxury camping.

Campers are not allowed to smoke or have pets in the tents, which helps to keep them clean and fresh for the next camper. Also, as this is bear country, you’ll need to cook, store and eat your food outside of the tent.

Campground staff are ready to help campers get familiar and settled in these charming cottage tents. The cost of a rental is $90 per night, and there are three different tents to choose from (one is wheelchair accessible). Reservations can be made either online or by calling 1 877 737 3783.

Click here and check out the LIVE webcam of Jasper!

Ok, so you’ve just come to Jasper National Park for the first time, and you’re hooked. You don’t just want to be a tourist, you want to live here. This isn’t like the time you almost moved to a cabin in the Yukon, or the time when you were a kid and you wanted to live at the amusement park. You’re serious. What now?

Who wouldn't want to work in Jasper National Park.

First things first, you need a J-O-B. Yeah, I know, reality sucks, but that’s the way it is. Once you’ve accepted that, all there is to do is find work. Here you’ll find a quick, handy guide to some places to find jobs in Jasper National Park.

As it turns out, there are some really great places to work when you base yourself in the middle of one of the world’s most awesome national parks. Marmot Basin ski resort, Jasper National Park, and many great restaurants, hotels and other small businesses in the town of Jasper. Below you’ll find the basic info you need to get started on your Jasper job search.

Tourism is the main source of employment in Jasper, almost half of all jobs are related to this industry.

Jobs in Jasper are seasonal to a degree, and tend to peak between mid-May to mid-October, although many recreational activities are offered year-round, and hard workers can often find something.

Some employers here only stay open in the summer months, such as backcountry lodges, restaurants, and tour guides, so employment with these sometimes lasts from May to October. Job opportunities during winter, November to April (technically, although it’s been known to snow just about any time of year here), are often found with guiding and tour compaines, hotels, as well as restaurants and retail stores that stay open year round, and of course Marmot Basin Ski Hill.

The Job Hunt

The best time to find jobs in Jasper is from May to October.

Job seekers heading to Jasper before they have secured work should be aware that it could take weeks to find something and another couple of weeks before they will receive their first pay cheque. There’s also the issue of housing (see more on that below). It is a good idea to arrive with sufficient funds to cover expenses for up to a month. Better yet, do some planning, call around to employers, send them your resume, or maybe come for a visit/job hunt. It could save you from heading home with your tail between your legs.

Jasper Jobs and Skill Requirements

Being able to speak a language, and particularly French, can often help with getting a job in Japser. Many, but not all Parks Canada jobs actually require that you speak both French and English. German and Japanese are also useful.

Naturally, in a tourism based economy, you’ll find lots of hospitality jobs. These include food and beverage servers, cooks, kitchen help, hotel/motel front desk clerks, retail associates and room cleaners. Wages in these jobs range from $8.80 to $10 per hour.

Tourism jobs include tour guides, trail guides and rafting guides. Wages in these occupations range from $8.80 to $14. per hour.

Due to the seasonal nature of some local businesses, an end of contract bonus may be offered if you are willing to commit to finishing the season with the company. These bonuses are usually in the form of an amount of money being paid for each hour worked, paid on you last cheque. For example, you may earn $1 for every hour you work for a company, which would be paid out at the end of the season.

Lodging

It is very difficult to find lodging from April to October. Some employers offer staff lodging. These are often shared with other staff. Accommodation costs are usually deducted from employee paycheque/wages.

Summer comes and goes pretty quick here in the Canadian Rockies. One minute, you’re putting away your snowshoes and hunting around for the sunscreen, the next you’re wondering where the heck you put your ski goggles, as you’re look for a place to stash your backpack.

Experience the popular lakes, rivers, streams and even waterfalls of the Canadian Rockies.

One thing you’ll definitely want to check out before the days get short and cold, are the Canadian Rockies’ waterfalls. The interesting thing about them, is that they are beautiful all year around, whether they’re gushing in the summer or frozen in to Dali-esque shapes in winter.

But the experience is distinct either time of year, and I recommend seeing the Canadian Rockies fantastic waterfalls in both summer and winter. Here are a couple of my favorite falls in Jasper National Park and Yoho National Park.

In Jasper National Park, near the Columbia Icefield, you’ll find Sunwapta Falls, some of the spectacular in the Rockies. There are two waterfalls here. With the  larger falls crashing down a whopping 18 meters! It’s a great display of the forces of nature that shaped this fine park.

Climb up a little from the main falls, and you’ll find a trail from the large falls that heads upward. Follow that trail, and you’ll find the second waterfall. Though not not as large, it’s still beautiful, and you won’t find nearly as many people up there.

You can get to Sunwapta Falls by an access road off the highway that connects Jasper and Banff National Park, Icefields Highway.

From Sunwapta, you may want to take a drive over to Yoho National Park on your water fall tour, where you’ll find the amazing Takakkaw Falls.

The Takakkaw Falls are some of Canada’s tallest waterfalls. Despite this, you can still get close enough to the fall’s base to let water mist gently over you. It’s pretty nice on a hot day. These falls start from meltwater from a glacier so far above you that you can’t even see it.

To get to the Takakkaw Falls, you get on the road from Lake Louise to Yoho. It’s by far the best way to get to the falls, and on the way you’ll get to see several smaller waterfalls on the cliffs next to you. They’re great for building some excitement on teh way to Takakkaw.

Did I say waterfalls are as good in the winter as the summer? I still stand by that, but I’d be guessing on this one, because the road isn’t plowed here in the winter, so you’ll want to see it before the big snows hit in October.

Last but not least, are the Athabasca Falls. These are close to the town of Jasper. They’re created by the huge Athabasca River being forced through a narrow gorge, blasting out the other side for quite a show. These ones are great any time of year, even in the winter, when they look like some sort of enormous abstract ice sculpture.

Yes folks, I hate to say it, but eventually the beautiful summers of the Canadian Rockies and Jasper National Park must come to an end. And while lots of awesome summer activities are just around the corner, don’t go out and start waxing your skis just yet.

Grab your bike and get to the Canadian Rockies before the season is over!

Instead, you may want to give that mountain bike one last tune up, grab your helmet, and get out on the fantastic mountain biking trails of Jasper National Park for one last spin before the season ends. Here’s a couple great trails you’ll want to check out.

Fortress Lake Trail: This 25 km ride begins at Sunwapta falls and following an old fire road. The trail is great for the first 16k, all the way to the Athabasca Crossing suspension bridge. After the bridge the biking gets pretty rough, but it is possible hike another 9 km to Fortress Lake.

Fryatt Trail: Jump on this 10 km bike trail 2 km up the Geraldine Fire Road at the Fryatt Valley parking lot. The trail cuts through a somewhat thick forest at a low elevation for the first 8.2 km, the ride includes several creek crossings. From the lower Fryatt campsite, you can hike another 10 km to the upper Fryatt Valley on foot.

Whirlpool Fire Road: Driving 11.5 km down Hwy. 93A catch the Moab Lake turnoff and go to the Moab Lake parking lot. From there it is 8.5 km to the end of the fire road. You can hike or bike another 3 km from here to Tie Camp on foot.

Jacques Lake: Begin at Medecine Lake’s south end, at the Beaver Lake picnic area, and drive 13 km along a lushly vegetated valley 5 km to the first Summit Lake. The going is pretty flat up to Beaver Lake, making for an easy ride suitable for just about anyone. The going to Jacques Lake can be somewhat difficult due to mud, if there’s been lots of rain or recent snowmelt.

Snake Indian Falls: Drive 48 km down Celestine Lake Road to the Celestine Lake parking area where the North Boundary Trail begins. A nicely-graded gravel road goes from here for 22 km to Snake Indian Falls. Just 1 kilometre past the falls, the road becomes a heavily-trafficed trail to the Willow Creek area and the Rock Lake exit.

Here’s some basic Rules of the Road for mountain biking in Jasper, or anywhere, really:

• Don’t scare the wildlife. You don’t like it when someone sneaks up on you, and neither do wild animals. Usually, the repercussions of doing this with a bear are worse though. Avoid unannounced approaches, a sudden movements, or a loud a noises. These actions can be dangerous for you, others, and wildlife. Give wildlife space and time to adjust to you, and make some noise as you come down the trail.
• Ride open trails only. Respect the trail and avoid areas which are closed to bikes. They are closed for a reason. Seriously, no one is trying to hide trails from you just to ruin your vacation. Also, remember that the way you ride will influence Parks Canada trail management decisions and policies.
• Always yield the trail. Make your approach known well in advance. A greeting, a bell or some other noise is basic politeness; don’t startle others. Show respect when passing by, slowing to a walking pace or, if need be, stopping. Anticipate trail users around corners and in blind spots.
• Put a lid on it! Always wear a helmet.
• Plan it, darn it! Know your equipment, be honest about your abilities, and check up on the riding trail, preferably with a park ranger. Prepare accordingly. A little planning is often the difference between a horrible day and an awesome day.
• Stay in Control. Don’t go faster, or attempt terrain that you know you can’t handle. Always be attentive and mind bicycle regulations and recommendations.
• Leave no trace. It’s everyone’s park, so treat it with respect by following a few simple rules. Stay on maintained  trails and don’t create new ones. Pack out what you pack in, and bonus points if you pack out some other jerk’s discarded rubbish.

Keep trails open by setting a good example of environmentally sound and socially responsible off-road cycling.

Summer in Banff and the Canadian Rockies is coming to its inevitable close (though you wouldn’t know it look at the Banff webcam today) and the time to participate in some of the best warm weather mountain activities anywhere is now. Of these, I highly recommend a canoe trip.

Take a fantastic canoe trip in the Canadian Rockies this summer.

One of the things Banff is well known for is it’s beautiful, pristine waters. We’ve got waterfalls, lakes, streams and rivers that are unrivaled for their beauty. You can enjoy slipping along silently in these beautiful waters on a canoe, taking in the amazing mountain scenery….

So what are you waiting for? Time’s almost up! Get to Banff and get in a canoe, and go for the scenic ride of a lifetime. Below you’ll find a great canoe trip to get you started.

Canoe Banff National Park from Castle Junction to Banff townsite

This part of Alberta’s Bow River is on the east side of the Trans-Canada Highway and west of the Canadian Pacific Railway line and Highway 1A (Bow Valley Parkway). The Bow River pours steadily down this valley, where you’ll find islands and side channels that make for great detours. There are lots of Class 1 rapids and riffles, a Class 3 rapid at Redearth Creek, and a decent share of sweepers, tight corners and logjams to make your day interesting. Be sure to take care when canoeing this section.

You can put your canoe in at the parking lot beneath the bridge over the Bow River at Castle Junction. After 6 km of floating you’ll get to Johnston Creek, flowing in from river left. On the downstream side of Johnston Creek you’ll see a sign for a backcountry campsite. Another 3km past Johnston Creek, a right bend in the river leads you towards the Trans-Canada Highway and the Castle Mountain Viewpoint.

At this point you’ll know your are nearing Redearth Creek Rapids, so hold on to your paddle. As you float below the viewpoint, the river turns left, away from the highway. In just a few hundred metres, the river turns sharply right into the area of Redearth Creek Rapids. Rated Class 3, these rapids are a long section of fast water moving over rocks. The waves are non-stop, getting larger as you approach the end. Man a canoe has capsized or swamped here, but proper scouting and safety procedures, this rapid can be run by experienced canoeists.

Having second thoughts about this rapid? Take it easy and portage instead. Although you won’t find a marked portage route, you’ll find that from top of the rapid on river right you can make your way along the shore to where Redearth Creek enters the Bow River. From there, wade across the creek and carry your canoe along the riverside trail to the end of the rapids.

A few km below Redearth Creek, the river becomes convoluted. It may not be obvious, but the river here branches into two or three channels. This is a risky section, with tight corners, endless sweepers and dangerous logjams. Pay attention and be safe!

The large gravel fan at the Wolverine Creek entrance on river right, is where you can finally rest a little, knowing the hardest parts are behind you. Another 5.5 km brings you back to the Trans-Canada Highway. This is a good place to take out as there is a gate through the fence to access a roadside parking area off the westbound lane of the highway.

Another 0.5 km brings you to the Trans-Canada Highway bridge over the Bow River. Careful going under the bridge as there are several sweepers on the left side of the river. From it’s a pleasant, 1.5 – 2 hour paddle to Banff. The river is broad and calm, allowing beautiful views of the lower Bow Valley. Take out at the canoe docks, at the junction of the Bow River and Echo Creek. Do not paddle past the canoe docks as Bow Falls is just around the corner.

Distance: 32 km (takes about 5 – 6 hours)

Level: intermediate

There are plenty of great summer vacation activities in the Canadian Rockies, but one of the best, simplest and most enjoyable ways to really see all the beauty of this land is just getting out and going for a hike. So get your boots on and get out before summer is over!

In Jasper National Park, Banff National Park and all around Canmore, Alberta, you’ll find lots of great hiking. Below you’ll find a couple of our suggestions for each of these regions.

Jasper National Park

Patricia Lake Circle

Get out and hike the Canadian Rockies before summer is gone!

For this hike, use Trails 6 and 6c. They”re about 4.6 km long and make for a 2-3 hour hike. You can hike to the trail head on Trail 2 from Jasper townsite, or drive to the riding-stables parking area at km 3.5 on the Pyramid Lake Road.

This fairly easy trail has just a few moderate hills. Start at the trailhead kiosk near the horse stables and take Trail 6c across Pyramid Lake Road to Trail 6. Stay right, and you’ll find yourself hiking through aspen forest and gaining elevation. Hike under a powerlines and drop down to the shore of Patricia Lake. This is a great place to spot loons and other Canadian Rockies wildlife.

Continue past the junction with Trail 6ba shortcut, hiking uphill until you reach Cottonwood Creek. Here you’ll find great views of Cottonwood Slough. This is a popular place for watching ducks, beavers and sometimes moose. From the slough, follow Trail 6 past the junction with 6a, then take 6c back to the stables parking lot.

Mina Lakes – Riley Lake Loop

On this hike you’ll be using Trail 8 and 2. The hike is about 9 km long, making for a 3-4 hour hike.

The trailhead for the Mina Lake and Riley Lake Loop starts near the Jasper Activity Centre lot, near the start of the Pyramid Lake Road. Follow Trail 8 to the left. This trailhead can be easily walked to from the town of Jasper.

You’ll find out that it pays off almost quickly with great views, taking you to lower Mina Lake in less than 2 km. After an initial climb of 160 m, the trail follows the north side of the lakes, where you’ll have a chance to see Barrow’s goldeneye ducks and loons. Past upper Mina Lake you can shortcut back to town via Trail 8c. To get to Riley Lake, continue on Trail 8, following the trail along the south shore of Cottonwood Slough. At the junction with Trail 2, turn right to get back to Jasper.

Canmore Kananaskis Area

Heart Creek

This easy hike gives you fantastic views, and is only 4 km long, taking about 1.5 hours.

On this hike, you’ll follow the right fork at the first major junction. Here, you’ll find yourself following a wide gravel path up the creek bed. You’ll then cross the creek on seven log bridges. Spectacular views of the rock face of Mount McGillivray, as well as awesome views of Heart Mountain.

You’ll find it East of Canmore on the TransCanada Highway (Hwy 1). Travel towards Calgary (approximately 15 minutes) and take the Lac Des Arcs/ Heart Creek exit, then follow signs to the parking lot and trail head.

Grassi Lakes

Another easy hike at just 3.8 km in length, for a 1.5 to 2 hour hike.

This beautiful trail was named after its creator, Lawrence Grassi, a pioneer  in Canmore’s hiking history. Grassi helped put together many of the area trails, and this was always one of his favourites. The hike takes you through the forest to 2 beautiful spring fed lakes. The trail then splits into two about 200 m into the hike, and they are labelled as “Easy” (this is a fire road- suitable for all levels) and “More Difficult” (a more narrow trail with occasional rocks, roots and other small obstacles on the trail, as well as a staircase near the end).

To get here, follow Spray Lakes Road 1.25 km past the Nordic Centre to the transition from pavement to gravel. Turn left to reach the parking lot.

Banff National Park

Tunnel Mountain

This hike is about 4.3 km long, is fairly easy, and takes between 2 and 3 hours to complete.
Certainly an old one but a good one, this hike has been around since the early days of Banff National Park . The trail is well maintained, easy to access, and ideal for visitors. A panoramic view from the top of the town site, the Bow Valley and Mt. Rundle make this the perfect “get-to-know-the-area” excursion.

Starting from downtown Banff , from the southern end of Banff Ave. , turn east on Buffalo St. (turns into Wolverine) to St. Julien Rd. Trailhead begins on north side of St. Julien Rd.

A shorter option of the same hike (3.6 km / 2.2 miles return) begins from Tunnel
Mountain Dr. , just north of The Banff Centre.

Johnston Canyon

An easy to moderate hike at about 5.8 km, for a 4 to 5 hour long trip.

Here you’ll see a fantastic canyon and potholes cut into limestone by time, nature and lots of water. This hike is one of the most popular in Banff, and for a reason.

To get here, you’ll drive west from Banff on the Trans-Canada Hwy. Take the 1A Hwy ( Bow Valley Parkway ) turnoff and continue west 18 km (11 miles) to Johnston Canyon Lodge. Past the lodge, a trail sign at the northern end of the parking lot marks the start of the hike.

From late spring to early fall, mountain bikers can chose from an endless array of designated trails that will take them on great tours of the beautiful wilderness of Jasper National Park.

There is also a great variety of terrain, ranging from the extremely challenging that will wear out even expert bikers, to great loping rides that are fun for the whole family.

Those who are looking for an adrenaline pumping trail in Jasper but need equipment can find rentals at Freewheel Cycle Jasper. The rental shop is also stocked with trail guides specifying in detail which trails are open to mountain biking.

Beginners and new intermediates should check out the Athabasca River Trail, a 23-kilometer course cruising behind Jasper’s golf course and along the peaceful Athabasca River.

Intermediates will like Mina-Riley Lake Loop (9km), while the more advanced mountain bikers should give Saturday Night Lake Loop (27km) a go.

Click here to check out the Japer live webcam!

The end of summertime in Jasper National Park and the Canadian Rockies is creeping up on us, which means that, as awesome winter park activities, such as skiing Marmot start to get closer, the time to do summer activities in the park is is now.

The Maligne Valley offers beautiful boating for Jasper vacations.

No Jasper National Park summer is complete without a day on the amazing waters of this park. Whether you tend toward motor boats, canoes, kayaks or rowboats, spending time slipping across the pristine lakes of Jasper National Park will give you some great views, chances to see wildlife, and enjoy many other pleasures of this park.

Maligne Lake is the center of boating activity and is a calm, enjoyable body of water to spend mornings and afternoons cruising on. Tour boats also travel around the lake, though both motor boats and paddle boats are welcome.

Boaters, no matter what you use to stay afloat, should plan at least a night’s stay along the Maligne Lake. Visitors can stay up to four nights total along the lake while enjoying the daytime lake activities like boating around, fishing with friends or searching for local wildlife.

Boaters with gas-powered boats have restrictions and should check in at the Jasper Parks Canada office before heading out. Rowboats and canoes are allowed on most lakes and ponds, but it’s still worth checking in. Overall, boaters should remember that Jasper National Park lakes and rivers are sources for cold water, and to use extreme caution when swimming.

Click here to see our Jasper live webcam!

As much as we hate to admit it here at Rockies.com, summer must eventually come to an end in the Canadian Rockies. But before it does, there’s a few things you should check out before your vacation time is over, one of them being the Athabasca Glacier.

Mt. Athabasca, Jasper National Park. John Marriott photo.

Among the many treasures to see in the Canadian Rockies and Jasper National Park, this one of the most popular sightseeing stops. In fact, it’s the most visited glacier in North America, and a definite must-see if you’re looking for one-of-a-kind scenery on your vacation.

It’s enormous size makes the Athabasca Glacier easy to spot. It is 6 kilometers long, and is measured between 90 to 300 meters thick. Yet, despite it’s size, you may be shocked to find out that the glacier actually moves several centimeters per day over the three bedrock steps and down towards the valley.

You can catch a ride on standard buses and special ice vehicles to get a closer look, and the Icefield Interpretive Center is a lodge and ticket sales area for the glacier. However remember to follow designated path signs, as deep crevasses are hidden in the glacier.

Visitors shouldn’t miss a stop at Athabasca Glacier because it won’t be around forever. It’s estimated this glacier recedes at 20 to 30 meters per year, and has lost over half of its volume in the past 125 years due to a warmer climate.

Jasper’s LIVE web cam is here!