The 10 Best Things to Do in Jasper, Canada

Jasper Raft Tours offer float trips on the Athabasca River, which flows near the town. The waters of the Jasper area eventually drain into the Arctic Ocean and emerge from the Columbia Icefields. Rafting in Jasper manages to combine the thrill of a few bumps and waves on the river, while being entirely safe and accessible for almost everyone. For those seeking a little more adrenaline, there are more ambitious raft trips in the area, but these may not be suitable for younger children. Find Jasper Raft Tours at number 611 on Patricia Street, or book a tour online in advance.

Jasper is home to many mountains, with interpretive guides and walks available for all levels and interests. Evening walks are popular for spotting wildlife and interpreting the stars, and walks can be planned for just a few hours or even for several days in the wild. At certain times of the year, there are colorful eruptions of flowers on the mountain meadows. Walking with a guide is an excellent idea due to the bears and other wildlife that reside in the area, and you will also benefit from their extensive local insider knowledge of the area.

One of the very best winter activities is the Maligne Canyon Icewalk, which is located just a few kilometers from the townsite and can be entered every year once the ice has formed. The canyon icewalk, organized by local company SunDog Tours, is done with a guide who will assist visitors with everything from crampons to ice pick. The limestone canyon is remarkably deep and throughout the walk participants will explore frozen waterfalls, ice caves and ice formations, while learning much about the Maligne Valley. You will probably meet some professional ice-climbers along the way, too.

Widely considered the most magnificent boat tour in the Rockies, Maligne Lake is a picturesque one-hour drive from town. The tour takes visitors to Spirit Island, which only stands as an island for a few weeks each year as the melting snow of springtime causes water levels to rise high enough to separate the land mass from the shore. This has become an artist’s destination for its incredible landscapes, with the small island framed by the lake and Brazeau Glacier is the distance. When visiting Maligne Lake, make sure to walk down to the “bridge to nowhere” at the mouth of the Maligne River and look for harlequin ducks and trout.

Located on Whistler Mountain, just outside the center of town, this tramway has two large cabins, rather than many small pods. Jasper Tramway takes visitors above the tree line on the mountain, past sweeping views of the Athabasca Valley and the Yellowhead Pass. It is the highest and longest guided aerial tramway in Canada. It goes to a height of 2,263 meters above sea level with a travel time of 7.5 minutes. While it may be tempting to enjoy the scenery from the comfort of the tramway, It is well worth spending time walking the trails atop the mountain, before riding back towards town.

Jasper’s only downhill ski resort, Marmot is a short drive from town and visitors benefit from almost constantly short lift lines. The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 1,698m and 2,410m on the mountain and the ski area has runs for all abilities, as well as views across and down the valley, with 91km of slopes available for skiers and snowboarders and six lifts to transport you between slopes. During ski season, listen for avalanche blasting in the mornings.

Highway 93 North connects Jasper with Lake Louise, through a route with amazing mountainscapes, waterfalls and alpine forest, and which is considered one of the most incredible drives on earth. The initial section going south from Jasper Town is a good area to spot bears, and even wolves from time to time. You will also see signs for caribou, but they are so elusive that they are almost a myth. Drive between Jasper and Lake Louise and you pass through five river valleys, all of which deserve a moment to stop and admire. Driving north and south offer entirely different vistas, so make sure you take the time to explore both directions.

Located at the southern end of Jasper National Park, the Columbia Icefields are the second-largest non-polar icefields in the world. The icefields are one of the fastest changing landscapes in the country and current advertising for the tours say, “come visit while they are still there.” Six glaciers flow from the mighty icefield and all are receding rapidly, while nearby Mount Snow Dome is the hydrographic apex of North America, with waters flowing to the oceans.

Jasper is home to only 4,600 permanent residents, but welcomes millions of visitors. The town is an interesting mix of tourist services, Parks Canada and railway, as well as many local businesses, restaurants and pubs. Jasper has an incredibly relaxed feel and is easy to walk around, so give yourself a whole day to explore it properly.

Make sure to set aside enough time to visit the whole route of Jasper National Park’s East Gate. The front (east) mountain ranges are nearly vertical and are very exposed. This part of the Rockies is somewhat less-visited and worth every minute you’ll spend there.