The key decision to make when organizing a trip to the Canadian Rockies in Alberta is choosing between visiting Jasper and Banff. We believe you should choose to travel to Jasper over Banff on your Rocky Mountain journey, and here’s why. Both towns have advantages and disadvantages, and both feature breathtaking landscapes and beauty around every corner. There are many things to appreciate about Jasper National Park, Canada, including its wild beauty and appealing rusticity. The top ten reasons to travel this season are listed below.
Charming Town in Jasper
There is nothing wrong with Jasper, but if I had to estimate, I’d say that a large portion of the tourists that come to this town in the centre of Jasper National Park do so in order to take in the splendor and grandeur of the park as a whole, rather than just the city. No matter what draws the tens of thousands of visitors to Jasper each year, they all have to spend some time in the city and its environs eating, sleeping, and sightseeing as it is the only location to stay in the park.
Despite the fact that Jasper National Park is enormous and I have firsthand knowledge of how magnificent the planet is, travelers should still spend some time in Jasper. There is a good experience to have, starting with the city, both in Jasper and relatively nearby. Some of my faves are eating at the BrewPub & Eatery of the Jasper Brewing Company, admiring the scenery from Old Fort Point, and traveling all the way to Pyramid Lake.
Train travel in Jasper National Park Canada
The national train service VIA Rail makes stops in Jasper rather than Banff, which is one of the city’s benefits. Some of the nicest vistas in the area may be seen by taking a train to the Canadian Rockies, but only people who travel to Jasper will have this opportunity. You can take a direct train from Vancouver to Jasper if you’re traveling from the west coast.
Icefields Parkway
One of the National Park’s most popular locations, Icefields Parkway, lies close to Jasper. Parkway, one of the world’s top driving routes and a must-do experience for all travelers, will mark its 80th anniversary in 2020. Walking connects the parks between Lake Louise and Jasper, and for many tourists, it is the preferred method of exploring the breathtaking Canadian Rockies. However, if you reside in Jasper, it is still simple to travel the majority of the Parkway, though you might wish to divide it over a few days.
There are numerous other things to research, some of which I have already done for you, and all of which are worthwhile. For this reason, it’s crucial to spend a few days exploring Parkway, not just for the drive but also for all the worthwhile stops along the road.
Wildlife in Jasper National Park Canada
53 different mammal species can be found in Jasper National Park, including black and grizzly bears, coyotes, wolves, wolverines, bighorn sheep, cougars, lynx, moose, and elk. Always keep your distance from animals and treat them with respect when visiting a national park. Jasper typically offers greater wildlife viewing than Banff because there are less tourists there.
Discover glaciers
One of the most beautiful roads in the world connects Jasper and Banff: the Icefields Parkway. The Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier, one of the biggest non-polar ice fields in the world, is a must-see stop along the trip. Visitors can ride the famous Ice Explorer through Jasper National Park and stroll on and drink from the Athabasca Glacier. Additionally, you can stroll along the glass-floored Glacier Skywalk while seeing the breathtaking Sunwapta Valley.
The entire Rocky Mountains, from Banff to Jasper
The fact that the Icefields Parkway connects Jasper and Lake Louise and is easier to drive because to Banff is undoubtedly one of its best qualities. Find the most picturesque area in your thinking, not simply in your country, I challenge you. A few people can legitimately compare it to the Canadian Rockies, so maybe it does. The Canadian Rockies’ summer season is lengthy, so both inhabitants and visitors make the most of the pleasant weather. It was the ideal way to learn about everything there is to see and do when there isn’t snow on the ground by entering Banff National Park in the middle of a gorgeous summer afternoon.
The way everything was located in the summer was the first thing I noticed. Many paths and roads are closed during the snowy winter months because they are either exceedingly difficult to access or dangerous to leave. This features Moraine Lake, one of the region’s top attractions that I was unable to see in the winter.
Moraine Lake, Alberta in Jasper National Park Canada
This breathtaking, snow-capped lake, which has been featured on countless postcards and calendars, draws hundreds of thousands of visitors every summer who are all seeking to experience the allure of the Canadian Rockies. Nothing could have prepared me for how gorgeous this lake is in person; I knew it was going to be fantastic. Lake Louise itself is located just below the road from Moraine, and visiting it in the winter wouldn’t have been all that different. I recalled that early January morning when I was alone and watching a few brave hockey players outside the ice lake while there were hundreds of other tourists all around me.
These hockey players have been replaced with summertime sellers who are enjoying hearing the lake in a totally different way. In a separate way, just because there isn’t snow in the summer doesn’t mean you can’t hit the slopes. Views of the area can be had by riding the Lake Louise gondola up and down.
The scene of food and drink
Locals will tell you that Jasper has a superior food and drink scene than Banff. Popular options include Jasper Brewing Company, which sources its natural mountain water from the Canadian Rockies to manufacture its beer. In contrast, Syrahs of Jasper serves the most avant-garde food in town. The majority of their cuisine is gluten-free, and their sweets are also very popular.
Night Sky Reserve, things to do in Jasper National Park
The second-largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world, Jasper National Park was designated as such by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in 2011. For the best night sky views, we suggest going to Pyramid Island, Maligne Lake, Old Fort Point, and the toe of Athabasca Glacier. Jasper is a Dark Sky Preserve, making it an excellent (and reasonably simple) location to see the Northern Lights in Canada. It also offers an annual Dark Sky Festival for explorers who enjoy stargazing.
Better is bigger
Compared to Banff National Park, Jasper National Park is bigger. This could surprise you because Canmore and Lake Louise seem to be more well-known locations in Banff National Park. On the other side, Jasper National Park has Jasper and a ton of breathtaking beauty.
Things to do in Jasper National Park
- Dinner outside on Pyramid Island
- Trek the Discovery Trail through the city.
- Watching bears, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and elk in the wild (they can be often seen along the road or while hiking)
- Take a picture of the Haida Nation-carved totem pole that is close to the Jasper train station.
- Travel on horseback through Jasper like the early settlers did while keeping an eye out for animals.
- Pyramid or Patricia Lake canoeing
- Visit the second-largest dark sky preserve in the world, Jasper Dark Sky Festival.
- You may experience the Canadians’ love of ice skating in the Rocky Mountains by going ice skating on Mildred Lake or Beauvert Lake.
- Get a complete map of Jasper here. Go mountain biking. Jasper has everything from easy paths along the river to challenging adventure rides, such Valley of the Five Lakes or Snake Indian Falls. Mountain bike enthusiasts should visit Jasper.
Great Things To Do in Jasper That Will Make You Happy
Top outstanding sights you must view in Jasper National Park, Canada
