About the authors: After traveling to over 85 countries Natasha and Cameron settled down in the beautiful Bow Valley. When they're not out hiking, snowboarding, and biking in the mountains, they share travel tips, photography and local insights on The Banff Blog. Here, they write about their recent experience exploring Jasper National Park.
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Jasper National Park is stunning all year round, but in my opinion, winter is really when it is most special. The summer crowds have departed, the mountains are snow-capped, and the lakes and waterfalls are now a beautiful blue ice spectacle. There is plenty to do in Jasper during this time as well, and there is truly nothing cozier than cuddling up next to the fire in one of the cabins around town. Here's exactly how we spent four marvelous winter days in Jasper, and how to make the most out of your time here!
Day 1
If you're driving from Banff to Jasper, along the stunning Icefields Parkway, there are some amazing stops you have to make - even in the winter. When driving from Banff make sure to stop off and marvel at Bow Lake, Athabasca Falls, and Sunwapta Falls. During the winter you'll find the lakes freeze over and the falls turn to ice creating an amazing atmosphere.
*When driving the Icefields Parkway in the winter it's best to be prepared for winter driving. There is no fuel station on the parkway in the winter and no cell service. Winter conditions can change fast so having winter tires and experience driving in snow is recommended.
Once you arrive in Jasper check into your accommodation. We stayed at the Pyramid Lake Resort situated right on Pyramid Lake. Here you can find ultra-cozy rooms with fireplaces and kitchenettes. However, the best part is waking up next to one of the most beautiful spots in Jasper.
After you check in, ice skate on Pyramid Lake or take a walk out onto Pyramid Island for sunset.
For dinner, I recommend heading to the Jasper Brewing Company. The atmosphere is simply amazing, the food never disappoints, and much of the beer is brewed right in house.
Day 2
It's time to strap on the snowboard or step into those skis and enjoy a day at Marmot Basin. Less than 30 minutes drive away from the town of Jasper is a resort with 91 named runs on four mountain faces and 3,000 vertical feet of drop! The views of Jasper National Park and the surrounding peaks from the top of the Eagle Ridge Quad are to die for.
After you've had your fair share of turns on the mountain head into town for an après-ski treat. If there's still daylight, take a rip around Patricia and Pyramid Lake on a fat bike, as there are some awesome trails around here. Enjoy a sunset at Patricia Lake.
For dinner stay close to your cabin at The Pines Restaurant at Pyramid Lake Lodge.
Day 3
Ready for a road trip? One of my favorite things to do in Jasper is drive Maligne Lake Road and take in all the scenery along the way. It's stunning in the summer, but in the winter the views get even better.
One of the first main stops you'll see is Medicine Lake. Nicknamed the “disappearing lake,” Medicine Lake drains every year through sinkholes in the bottom; the water then travels through a cave system and resurfaces downstream in the winter. If you visit in the summer you would never know this happens!
Continue your drive all the way to Maligne Lake and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. If you're going to see a moose, this road is likely where it will happen!
Once you reach Maligne Lake take in the views of this majestic glacial lake—it's one of the most serene in all of Alberta! Once your feet start to get too cold, head back in the car and drive back to town. You’ve got something exciting and delicious coming up!
Join Estelle with Jasper Food Tours for a tantalizing adventure around Jasper. Estelle knows all the best spots in town and will take visitors to four different restaurants, with stories and food pairings at each one. I love doing food tours as you can get a sampling of a lot of different restaurants in just a few short hours instead of having dinner at just one. I won't share where Estelle will take you or what you will be eating and drinking, it's all part of the surprise!
Day 4
On your last day in Jasper make sure to stop at Coco’s Cafe for breakfast. They dish up some of the best bagels in the Canadian Rockies. Then you're ready to hit the road for two really exciting adventures.
The first is a helicopter tour with Rockies Heli. If you've never taken a heli tour in the mountains I assure you that you’ll be blown away. We enjoyed a fantastic tour getting a birds-eye view of glaciers, rivers, lakes, canyons, and even waterfalls. All of this was before and after landing on a mountain and snowshoeing to the top. Complete with hot chocolate - the perfect winter treat!
After the heli tour stop at Abraham Lake in David Thompson Country just outside of Jasper for an ice skate and to view the famous methane bubbles.
Now it's time to get home and look through those couple hundred photos you took while enjoying Jasper, and start planning your next trip to the park!
