Welcome to Jasper
Here you will find all of the necessary information to make the best of your time in Jasper. From arrival and departure information, daily tour pick up times, and general information about the city.
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About Jasper, Alberta
Before this remote mountain town had even been named ‘Jasper,’ this beautiful corner of the world was little more than a trading post surrounded by wilderness alongside the Athabasca River. When Canada’s second transcontinental rail line was established, the town of Jasper grew and began welcoming tourists flocking to the mountains looking for an adventure. Today, Jasper National Park is the largest park in the Canadian Rockies and is connected to the popular mountain towns of Lake Louise and Banff by way of the Icefields Parkway – one of the most scenic drives in North America. The remote nature of Jasper makes for some of the best wildlife viewing and nighttime stargazing in the world!
Arrival Information:
Depending on how you arrive in Jasper these are the procedures to go to your hotel:
- For those arriving on Rocky Mountaineer, a transfer to your hotel is included.
- For those arriving on VIA Rail, please take a taxi to your hotel. If you are staying at Whistler’s Inn, your hotel is located directly across the street from the station. If you are staying at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, shuttle service is provided complimentary of your hotel.
- For those arriving in a guided tour, your driver-guide will drop you off at your hotel front door.
Departure Information:
Depending on how you depart from Jasper these are the procedures to do so:
- For those leaving on Rocky Mountaineer, a transfer from your hotel to the train station is included.
- For those leaving on VIA Rail, please take a taxi from your hotel. If you are staying at Whistler’s Inn, your hotel is located directly across the street from the station. If you are staying at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, shuttle service is provided complimentary of your hotel.
- For those leaving in a guided tour, your driver-guide will pick you up at your hotel front door.
Restaurant Recommendations:
We know we are in a foodies’ haven and there are more to discover but here you will find a short list of our preferred restaurants in Jasper:
Terra ~ Locally farmed and forged , with a menu that constantly changes to incorporate local ingredients.
Address: 200 Connaught Drive
Evil Dave’s Grill ~ Family owned, with a fun atmosphere and a globally inspired menu.
Address: 86 Connaught Drive
Cassios Italian Restaurant ~ Canada Rail Staff favorite. Family owned, relaxed casual atmosphere and located in central downtown Jasper.
Address: 602 Connaught Drive
The Raven Bistro ~ Upscale dining, featuring Canadian fare with a Moroccan flair. Reservations are recommended, as the dining room is fairly small.
Address: 504 Patricia Street
Bears Paw Bakery ~ The scent wafting through the air will help you find it. This bakery offers a selection of sandwiches and lunch items in addition to their artisanal baked goods. Fantastic scones!
Address: 4 Pyramid Road
Earls Jasper ~ Typical chain restaurant, good option if it is a nice day and you’re looking to have lunch or dinner on the upstairs patio
Address ~ 600 Patricia Street
North Face Pizza ~ Good takeaway option close to the train station for those looking to avoid Skeena train’s terrible cold lunches. Best pizza and Poutine in town
Address: 618 Connaught Drive
Jasper Brewing Co. ~ Featuring six signature beers brewed on-site, they served top quality pub food in a relaxed and fun atmosphere
Address: 624 Connaught Drive
Sightseeing Recommendations:
Jasper Nature Tour:
The Maligne Valley Jasper Nature Tour is an amazing interpretive drive up the Maligne Valley. Our exploration will include a stop at Maligne Canyon for a gentle guided walk to the first two bridges above the gorge, a short stop at the “disappearing” Medicine Lake, and finally Maligne Lake. At this picturesque gem of the Canadian Rockies, you can choose to participate in a Maligne Lake cruise to world-famous Spirit Island or enjoy a guided hike along the Mary Schaffer Loop (3.2km / 2mile – weather and trail conditions permitting). The Maligne Valley Tour is mainly a nature, scenic, and geological voyage but it is also an excellent opportunity to see some of Jasper’s wildlife.
This is Canada Rail Vacations standard Jasper tour that is booked for all of our guests travelling on tours which include more than one night in Jasper between May and October.
*Cruise dependant on weather conditions
For those who are staying in Jasper and renting a car, the Maligne Canyon has a network of easy hiking trails a few minutes from the townsite.
Jasper SkyTram:
“Jasper’s Peak Attraction”, the Jasper Skytram is the longest and highest aerial tramway in the Rockies! Your Skytram Guide will provide a fully narrated tour during the seven-minute ride to the top of Whistler’s Mountain. Take in the breathtaking views from the visitor’s centre or hike to the summit. Take your time enjoying the view and return when you are ready. Allow anywhere from 1-3 hours at the top.
This is Canada Rail Vacations standard Jasper tour that is booked for all of our guests travelling on tours which include some free time or more than one night in Jasper between May and October.
Icefields Parkway Tour:
This one-way tour from Jasper to Lake Louise/Banff or reverse takes you through some of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in North America. Following the spine of the Canadian Rockies, view a never-ending procession of mammoth mountains, jagged snowy peaks, and numerous glaciers. The entire day is spent in the majesty of Canada’s two most famous National Parks, Jasper and Banff. Sightseeing stops along this beautiful highway will include Athabasca Falls, the Weeping Wall, the Columbia Ice Fields, Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier and Lake Louise.
Your stop at the Columbia Icefield will provide you with approximately 4 hours to take part in the Ice Explorer tour onto the Athabasca Glacier, and explore the Glacier Skywalk overlooking the Sunwapta Valley. You may also choose to enjoy the interpretive exhibits at the Columbia Icefield Centre or take a short guided walk to a scenic viewpoint.
This is Canada Rail Vacations standard tour connecting Jasper to the rest of the Rockies which is booked for all of our guests travelling on tours which include Jasper between May and October.
For those who are staying in Jasper and renting a car, the Icefields Parkway has many great hiking trails along the way.
Outdoor Activites:
Stargazing: Jasper is the world's largest accessible dark sky preserve. Visit the Jasper Planetarium located at Fairmont Jasper Park lodge or just look up and see for yourself! Your time in Jasper will be your best chance to see the Milky Way, the constellations and the Northern Lights.
Patricia and Pyramid lakes: Patricia and Pyramid Lakes are located just north of the town of Jasper. To find them, follow the Pyramid Lake trail from town. The road dead-ends at Pyramid Lake, which has a small island you can walk out to and explore via a footbridge. Both lakes are scenic and backed by mountains, including the rust-colored Pyramid Mountain.
Edith and Annette lakes: a short distance from Jasper townsite and also known as the Kettle lakes or the Rocky Mountain Beaches, these underground river system-fed lakes are relatively shallow, allowing them to warm for comfortable swimming each summer.
Rent a bike: all of the above sites and more are easily discovered by electric bike, put your helmet on and enjoy Jasper National Park
