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…
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 weekend in Jasper. Our Favourite Winter Activities in Jasper We’ve made frequent visits to Jasper in the winter over the…
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 out 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,…
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
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, 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 snow,” we’d…
Jasper National Park is a great place to visit all year round, but is especially enjoyable in October when the sky takes centre stage for Dark Sky Month. What is the Jasper Dark Sky Festival? In 2011, Jasper was officially designated as a Dark Sky Preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. To celebrate…
Hi, I’ll be heading to Jasper during that period and I’m interested in attending the Dark Sky Festival. However, it’s not clear which event to sign up for as I’m mainly interested to do photography. Would you be able to advise me so I know which event I’d need to book? I’ve emailed them but no reply yet.August 1, 2016 – 3:11 amReplyCancel
Hi Jeannie. This year there is a nighttime photo workshop at Athabasca Glacier. There’s also a 2-day photography workshop at the Jasper Park Lodge. I haven’t done any of these myself so I can’t really comment on them, but maybe that’s what you’re looking for? If you go to the Beyond the Stars Event (free) at Lake Annette, there will be dark sky photographers on hand that can give you some tips. That’s where I took all the photos in this post. Hope this helps!August 20, 2016 – 7:29 pmReplyCancel
One of the best places to watch the sunset near our hometown of Edmonton, Alberta, is Elk Island National Park. We recently made the half hour drive, on a beautiful fall evening, specifically to watch the sunset. It sure did not disappoint! One lucky couple scored the coveted spot at the end of the dock,…
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the cape on the corner - gorgeous! this is definitely on my list. thanks for the detailed route!
bMay 29, 2018 – 1:19 pm
Janice & George, Sand In My Suitcase - We used to live in Calgary — and we’ve done this road trip; spectacular! Maligne Canyon is gorgeous to hike. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.May 31, 2018 – 2:11 pm
Kristie - Can you comment on doing this trip the end of October/beginning of November? I wasn’t sure if the weather would still be good for driving. I live in the very humid South in the US, so not accustomed to snow or cooler weather, lol!October 3, 2018 – 4:28 am
Rhonda Krause - 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 pm
Diane - Great information! Thank youJuly 1, 2019 – 11:07 am
Kelley - 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 pm
Rhonda Krause - You can definitely do Banff and Jasper with a camper van. My family did this all the time when I was a kid. Nowadays though you’d have to have your trip planned well in advance (if visiting in July or August) because campsites book up months ahead of time.August 11, 2019 – 2:56 pm