Summer Travel in Jasper National Park, Alberta

Not only a winter ski destination, Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada has some amazing activities to do for summer vacations. Make sure to check out the absolutely quaint Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives right in the Jasper town site (400 Pyramid Lake Road, 780-852-3013) before heading outside of town.

Jasper National Park: Columbia Icefield

This must-do is jaw-dropping for adults and astonishing for kids. Brewster (1-877-423-7433) takes guests on half-day trips to the Columbia Icefield Athabasca Glacier along the Icefields Parkway.

First, take the “Ice Explorer,” a monstrous bus with wheels three feet wide and four feet high, up to the Athabasca Glacier itself. There, walk along designated parts of the 300 m (1,000 ft) of ice, about the height of the Eiffel Tower. (The icefield spans about 325 sq. km / 130 sq. mi, approximately the size of the city of Vancouver.)

Drink glacier water (bring an empty water bottle!) and take several photos before heading back to the Columbia Icefield Centre to see exhibits explaining the wonder that is the Athabasca Glacier.

Jasper Helicopter Tours

42 km east of Jasper National Park is the Icefield Helicopter Tours pad (1-888-844-3514). Choose from the extraordinary helicopter trips available:

Sightseeing routes over the Columbia Icefield, Lyell Icefield, Michelle Lakes, Wilson Icefield and Cline River. Add a wilderness stop to take a walk, have a picnic or celebrate with a bottle of champagne.
Romance and Heli-Weddings
Heli-Fishing
Heli-Horseback Riding
Heli-Hiking
Heli-Yoga

Jasper National Park Boat Trips

The fun folks at Jasper Raft Tours (780-852-2665) take travellers out on raft trips along the Athabasca River. The trips are geared towards those who like to get outdoors but who don’t want an extreme adventure.

Take the funky bus from the Jasper Park Lodge or the downtown Jasper train station and spend two and a half hours getting prepared and then cruising down the 16 km part of the river with mild class one and two rapids. Be prepared for the guide to give everyone a hard time and try to soak each person completely.

Jasper National Park Restaurants

There’s some great dining in Jasper. For an ultra casual atmosphere, try the comfortable yet trendy Jasper Brew Pub (624 Connaught Drive, 780-852-4111). This is the only brewery located within a national park in Canada and natural glacier water is used in the brews. The young owners’ story of success is quite extraordinary.

For a finer dining experience, drive across the river to the Jasper Park Lodge’s Moose’s Nook Northern Grill (Old Lodge Road, 780-852-3301). An elegant lodge interior parallels the exquisite cuisine like Potato Gnocchi (and many other vegetarian options), Sunshine Coast Sable Fish, Butter Poached Pickerel and Braised Ring Neck Pheasant. The desserts are utterly divine.

Another popular spot is Cassio’s Trattoria (500 Connaught Drive, 780-852-4070), specializing in Italian cuisine.

Jasper Hotels, Alberta

Jasper Park Lodge (Old Lodge Road, 780-852-3301 / 1-866-540-4454): The Fairmont hotel chain knows how to do things right. The exquisite setting at the Jasper Park Lodge is well-known worldwide.

Whistlers Inn (Connaught Drive, 780-852-3361 / 1-800-282-9919): Located right on the main street of Jasper, this simple and comfortable accommodation is wonderfully situated and at a lower price point than the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

Getting to Jasper

Other than driving, a great way to get to and from Edmonton International Airport, Calgary International Airport, Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore or Calgary, is to catch a ride with the Sundog Mountain Connector Service (1-888-786-3641). One-way rates start at $55 CAD.

Travel Alberta (1-800-ALBERTA) has more resources for travelling through the province.