Jasper

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Jasper is in the Rocky Mountains in Canada.

Contents

Get in

Located in the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, Jasper is the shy cousin to bold, brassy Banff. Approximately 2 hours north of Banff and 4.5 hours west of Edmonton, capital of the province of Alberta. It can be reached by road or train. Highway 16, the Yellowhead Highway, connects Jasper to Edmonton, which has an international airport. Highway 93, the Icefields Parkway, connects south through the Rockies to Lake Louise and onto Banff. Drivers will have to pay for a park admission pass as the town of Jasper is located within Jasper National Park. There are bus connections from Edmonton, Banff and Vancouver.

Those driving to the park should be aware that a park fee of $7/adult per night (max $14/carload per night) applies. Annual passes are available for $89.

Get around

No public transit. Bikes for rent in the summer. A few taxis available. Rental cars available.

Hitchhikers report that getting a lift in Jasper is very easy.

See

  • Maligne Lake, which has regular boat trips to see the wonder of a lake with water two different colours in different parts.

Do

  • Excellent camping in the summer. Cross Country and downhill skiing in winter - see http://www.skimarmot.com for downhill ski information.
  • Miette Hotsprings, [1], are an excellent place to go and relax after a day of hiking.

Buy

  • No shortage of souvenir shops on the main street.
  • Also, clothing, books, and plenty of outdoor equipment.
  • Ski shops will also rent gear if you don't want to take your chances on the hills.

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Budget

In the summer, there is excellent camping in the campgrounds operated by Parks Canada.

  • HI: Maligne Canyon, Maligne Lake Rd (turn south off highway 16 just east of the townsite), 780-852-3215 or 877-852-0781 (fax 780-852-5560) [2]. Closed Wednesdays Oct-Apr, open all other times. Check-in between 5pm and 11pm, checkout by 10am. This small, 24 bed hostel, is an excellent place to get away from things for a while. Though it lacks running water, you'll not miss anything else...there's a good sized kitchen, a supply of drinking water, and a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere. $15/person for HI members, $20/person for non-members.

Mid-range

There are numerous motels and inns within the town, as well as in Hinton, just outside the eastern entrance to the park.

  • Mount Robson Inn 902 Connaught Drive, TEL:(780)-852-3327. A comfortable well equipped two storey motel style inn. All rooms have air conditioning, cable television, and plenty of room. Reasonable prices.

Splurge

  • Jasper Park Lodge, Old Lodge Rd (turn south off highway 16 just east of the townsite, and make a quick right after crossing the river),780-852-3301 or 800-257-7544 (jasperparklodge@fairmont.com, fax 780-852-5107) [3]. The Jasper Park Lodge is the premier hotel in Jasper, and one of the most famous and storied mountain resorts in the Canada. Started as a tenting site in conjunction with the Grand Trunk Railway in 1915, it has grown into a renowned destination resort. $400 and up.

Get out

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