Elissa moved to Jasper at 19 and has since launched Journey Bike Guides, a local bike touring business. As a young woman entrepreneur in the male-dominated industry of bike guiding, Elissa Cummings has had her share of challenges. But none was greater than a tragic head injury she suffered in high school that made doctors think she'd never cycle again. Learn how she rose from the ashes, biked from Jasper to Mexico, and built her business from scratch in the eleventh episode of Venture Beyond: The Series.
Here, she details how she’d spend an ideal two days in Jasper.
Day 1
Morning – Coffee to go and bike tour
Give your first morning a kick start with a java hit from one of Jasper’s local coffee shops. Then head out on a mountain bike ride or a guided tour with Journey Bike Guides for a few hours on awesome trails.
Afternoon - Picnic at the lake
Get a take-out meal from one of Jasper’s excellent local restaurants and enjoy a relaxed picnic by Lake Annette. With a beach, picnic tables, and paved trails surrounding the lake it’s a lovely spot to while away the afternoon. It’s also a popular swimming spot!
Evening - Relax on a patio
Grab a seat next to a fire or on a restaurant patio and rehash the day’s adventures over a cold beer and a sharing plate.
Day 2
Morning – Head to Pyramid Mountain/Lake/Island
About a ten minute drive (or approximately half hour bike ride) from the town of Jasper, you can reach one of Jasper’s most iconic spots. Pyramid Mountain rises behind Pyramid Lake, perfect for pictures. If you love biking as much as Elissa, you can bike the fire road approach to the base of Pyramid Mountain, then spend the afternoon hiking to the peak. If you’d like a more moderate adventure, there’s tons of shorter and less steep trails around the lake that still lead to beautiful views.
Or, rent a watercraft and paddle around the lake! The beach to Pyramid Island is a popular photo spot, and you might even see a wedding in progress.
Evening - End with a splash
After a day of exertions, Elissa recommends jumping in the lake before heading back down to town. Be warned though: it’s pretty chilly! Once in Jasper, refuel your body with a heaping meal of hearty Rocky Mountain fare. Or in Elissa’s words: “eat all the food you can find.”
