Jasper National Park has long been a favourite place of mine. Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been fascinated by Jasper’s rocky mountains, pristine lakes, icy glaciers, roaring waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. It wasn’t hard for Jasper to capture my heart, but even after countless trips, I’m still head over heels in love…
I’ve been visiting Jasper National Park ever since I was a kid, but had never got around to enjoying one of the park’s most iconic experiences- the Maligne Lake cruise to Spirit Island. I can honestly say, I saved the best for last! The scenery I saw during the Maligne Lake cruise epitomized everything I…
A trip to Alberta wouldn’t be complete without doing a road trip in the Canadian Rockies. The drive from Calgary to Jasper is one of the finest road trips in Canada, a route that passes by Alberta’s most inspiring scenery as it makes its way through the mountains and into the heart of Banff and…
That really depends on the year. Sometimes we have snow that sticks around by October, but sometimes not. In general, weather in the mountains can be unpredictable, especially on the Icefields Parkway. I would make sure I come prepared with blankets, food etc. just in case. I think if road conditions get really bad they close the highway but I’ve never seen that in October/early November.November 18, 2018 – 5:54 pmReplyCancel
Hello! You’re article has inspired me to take this trip and try out your itinerary. I am curious if you have any thoughts on doing it by Campervan. We did the Ring Rd in Iceland by camper last year and really enjoyed it but I don’t see it as widely recommended for Banff and Jasper. Thoughts?August 8, 2019 – 7:21 pmReplyCancel
Hey guys. First of all, thank you for creating this blog. It has helped me tremendously in planning and organizing our first trip to Canada. I had saved this blog in my bookmarks last year and just last month, I and my wife did a ditto road trip to the Canadian Rockies. The only difference was, we did a 7-day trip but we loved it. We did Calgary – Canmore – Banff – Lake Louise – Icefield Parkways – Jasper and flew back to San Francisco from Calgary. Thank you again for the great work on this blog and for inspiring me to visit Canada. August 29, 2019 – 10:56 amReplyCancel
Yes, you can do this trip in the middle of May. Be aware though that the Moraine Lake road may still be closed for the season. It usually opens around mid-late May, but depends on the amount of snow. There might also still be some snow on the trails at higher elevations (if you plan on doing some hikes) and the glacier lakes could also still be frozen. But the best part of visiting during shoulder season is that the parks won’t be so crowded with tourists!December 5, 2019 – 12:10 pmReplyCancel
Albertans love to complain about our long winters, but rather than dreading Canada’s coldest season, we think it’s the perfect time to have a romantic weekend away. Covered in a blanket of white, Alberta’s landscapes couldn’t be more romantic. There’s a peacefulness to the surroundings. It feels as though each place, each moment exists just…
Banff may be world famous for its breathtaking mountains and glistening blue lakes, but it was a small cave and its thermal waters that spurred the creation of Canada’s first national park, Banff, in 1885. Cave and Basin is the lowest of nine natural hot springs on Sulphur Mountain, its water bubbling up from 3…
Jasper National Park is a great place to visit year round, but it can be especially fun in the winter. Active travellers and outdoor adventurers will find plenty of activities to enjoy during a winter trip to Jasper. Things to Do in Jasper in Winter- Our Favourite Winter Activities in Jasper National Park We’ve made…
After a weekend of hiking to Larch Valley and horseback riding to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House, we ended our visit to Lake Louise with a delicious meal at The Station Restaurant. As a train lover, I was immediately impressed. Located in Lake Louise Station, the oldest building in Lake Louise, the restaurant…
It was our quest for new adventures in Lake Louise that led us try horseback riding for the first time, going all the way up to the historic Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House nestled high in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Neither one of us had been on a horse before. I had always been…
The Larch Valley hike near Lake Louise has been something Mike and I have been talking about doing for years, so this fall we finally decided to make it happen. Wow, had we been missing out all this time! The Lake Louise area is a special place any time of year, but it shines just…
It was a beautiful day in May. Warm, sunny, a clear blue sky above and fresh mountain air to awaken the senses. It was the perfect weather for a casual hike in Jasper! I decided I wanted to see somewhere in Jasper I haven’t been before, so Mike suggested we do the Valley of the…
I am not always a fan of public art but there was one specific piece I was itching to see since it was installed in 2013. Wonderland is a bent-wire portrait of a young girl’s head created by Jaume Plensa, a highly regarded Spanish sculptor. The 12 metre tall sculpture features prominently in front of…
Whenever I’m in the mood to see cute wildlife, Mike and I make a trip to Jasper National Park. Well, not every time because then we’d never be home! Jasper is, by far, the best place in the Canadian Rocky Mountains to see wildlife. In one weekend alone we saw nine bears, three moose, and…
So nice you can just head on over to Jasper whenever you feel like seeing wildlife! After seeing next to nothing in Banff and Lake Louise, I was so excited to finally see tons of wildlife in Jasper. And it’s so beautiful there. But my favorite place around that area was the Beaver Boardwalk in Hinton. So amazing to see them in their natural habitat and unfazed by humans!May 29, 2015 – 1:28 pmReplyCancel
Thanks for your pointers. We are going to Jasper in Sept. Wildlife is what we are looking for. We were in Banff a couple years ago and didn’t see any wildlife except Elk at the golf course. I am glad you shared this because I was told when we were in Banff the place to go is Jasper to see wildlife. Where is the best place to stay for Seniors on a budget. Clean and safe. I am a photographer (hobby). I have a 600 MM and can get some good photos even if they are a good distance away. We live in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains and love our animals and like to go to other places to see wildlife we don’t have. ThanksMay 15, 2019 – 8:36 pmReplyCancel
When we were in Canmore for the Uncorked Food and Drink Festival, we needed to find a way to work off all the delicious calories we were consuming. Lucky for us, in Canmore there are plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, or simply taking a leisurely, scenic stroll. We opted for easy hikes and walks…
I bow my head down as I walk into a brisk wind, the two strong blades of a helicopter loudly turning above my head. “I can’t believe this is really happening,” I think as I climb up into the bright-red Bell Long Ranger. I quickly fasten my seatbelt and then fumble with the headset, big…
I hope to get to Canmore in the next year as my son just started to work at alpine helicopters. I ve never been west and love all the pics. I have never been in a helicopter either and am looking forward to the tour in the mountains. It truly is a spectacular place. I have enjoyed all the photos. Thanks. Have a nice day.May 15, 2015 – 6:05 pmReplyCancel
I may not always be the biggest fan of my home city, but there is one thing I can’t deny- Edmonton has a beautiful river valley, especially in the fall. Edmonton’s river valley is the largest stretch of urban parkland in North America- 7, 400 hectares! This gives us Edmontonians plenty of space to get…
Long, cold, and dreary. Those are all words that we Albertans tend to use when describing our winters. I can agree with the long and, most of the time, cold, but dreary not so much. A winter trip to Jasper will have you rethinking the way you describe Alberta’s longest season. Jasper’s gorgeous scenery, draped…
As a huge animal lover, I am always on the lookout for wildlife when I travel. While I don’t always have the best of luck in some destinations, I never fail to see wildlife in Jasper National Park. This is probably one of the cutest animal moments I have witnessed- a mother Mule deer grooming…
Peering over the edge of a snow covered bridge, I have to catch my breath when I think about how far down the canyon below is. Fifty-one meters- the same height as Niagara Falls. There’s no water rushing through curves of Maligne Canyon today. Its floor is frozen, the limestone walls partially concealed by a…
When people see pictures of Jasper, or hear about the fantastic opportunities for outdoor adventure, they don’t need much convincing to pay a visit. Jasper’s natural beauty sells itself! Once our Canadian winter settles in though, it’s quite tempting to stay home and hibernate on the couch! In case you needed a little convincing, we’re…
Hey, ive been looking for a website/blog that can help me out, yours is so helpful but I have visted Jasper quite a few times already including in the winter, but I am looking for some tips on some stuff to do that wont cost much $$ and is still fun for a beginner hiker/outdoor enthusiast during winter. Maybe something the locals might know about. Its hard to find things to do during the day that wont cost you an arm and a leg! Have any ideas?February 5, 2017 – 2:58 pmReplyCancel
The driving conditions really depend on what weather is passing through. We were just in Jasper at the start of January and there was hardly any snow. We also were there once during a blizzard so had to drive slow in case of icy patches. They snow does get cleared from the roads, so you don’t have to worry about getting stuck. I’d ask your rental company about what kind of tires are on the car. We drive to Jasper with all-seasons and have never had an issue. If you’re experienced with winter driving I wouldn’t worry too much. Just stay alert and slow down if necessary.January 28, 2018 – 10:22 amReplyCancel
When I signed us up to go on a snowshoeing excursion in Jasper National Park, both Mike and I didn’t know what to expect. In all honesty, we were kind of skeptical whether we would like snowshoeing at all. “It seems kind of silly to strap on big shoes just to walk around in the…
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