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Jasper

Jasper Dark Sky Festival | Everything You Need to Know

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

Having fun at the Jasper Dark Sky Festival
Showing off my Jasper Dark Sky Festival bomber jacket.

The Jasper Dark Sky Festival in Jasper, Alberta, is an out-of-this-world experience you won’t want to miss! Imagine a weekend filled with stargazing, live music, fascinating astronomy talks, and the chance to witness the stunning beauty of the night sky in one of the world’s largest Dark Sky Preserves. Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or simply a lover of the cosmos, this festival offers something for everyone. Explore the mysteries of the universe through powerful telescopes, embark on celestial-themed hikes, and even enjoy the opportunity to meet renowned scientists and space experts. Plus, the charming mountain town of Jasper provides the perfect backdrop for your cosmic adventure.

So, if you’re looking for a unique and enchanting getaway that’s truly “out of this world,” mark your calendar for the Jasper Dark Sky Festival and prepare to be starstruck!

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How to Enjoy Jasper in the Winter

By Matthew G. Bailey 21 Comments

Jasper in the Winter - Maligne Canyon Icewalk
Admiring Maligne Canyon in the winter.

Without a doubt, Jasper is one of the most beautiful destinations in all of Canada. Located within Jasper National Park and at the northern end of the world-famous Icefields Parkway, it’s a magical outdoor destination with towering mountains, snaking rivers, clear lakes, and lush forest. Anyone interested in outdoor adventure or simply admiring some of Earth’s grand vistas will love Jasper, and in the winter, it’s all covered in white sparkly snow.
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These are the Best Jasper Accommodations

By Matthew G. Bailey 2 Comments

Jasper National Park from the Jasper Sky Tram
Jasper National Park as seen from the Jasper Sky Tram. Photo by Matthew G. Bailey.

Surrounded by towering mountain peaks, turquoise-coloured rivers and lakes, and hordes of wildlife, Jasper is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It’s also a bustling tourist town, though not nearly as busy as its neighbour Banff, which means it has a variety of delicious restaurants, souvenir shops, and an array of Jasper accommodations. 

Jasper is one of our favourite places in Canada. Not only is it such an incredibly beautiful place, but it’s also located at the northern end of the world-famous Icefields Parkway, which makes it one of the top road trips in the world. For those who love outdoor adventure, Jasper is paradise. From hiking, golfing, and gondola sightseeing in the summer to ice climbing, skiing, and skating in the winter, there’s no shortage of fun things to do.

In this Jasper accommodations guide, we’re going to share with you some of our top recommendations for where to stay in Jasper, including hotels, cabins, camping, and more. [Read more…] about These are the Best Jasper Accommodations

Banff to Jasper: What You Need to Know for Driving the Icefields Parkway

By Matthew G. Bailey 29 Comments

Icefields Parkway Banff to Jasper
Driving the Icefields Parkway from Banff to Jasper in the fall.

Icefields Parkway Guide Last updated: September 3rd, 2022

Alberta is home to some of the top road trips in Canada, including the stretch from Banff to Jasper (or from Jasper to Banff), which is perhaps the most beautiful road trip in the country. In fact, various publications have awarded the Icefields Parkways as one of the most scenic road trips on the planet as it takes you through two Canadian Rockies national parks and all kinds of natural beauty including towering mountain peaks, turquoise lakes and rivers, glaciers, and lush alpine forest. 

The Icefields Parkway itself stretches for approximately 233km from Lake Louise to Jasper, but it clocks in at 288km if you include the drive from Banff to Jasper. Without stopping, it would take around four hours in good weather. However, it would be silly to drive this beautiful route without stopping to admire the natural attractions or take part in one of the many activities. If you can’t make the drive yourself, there are plenty of tour companies offering the experience as well. 

The drive is also located in the middle of the Canadian Rockies, which can be home to some inhospitable weather, especially during the winter months. Before setting out on the adventure, be sure to check in for road closures and hazards. You’ll also want to take particular care during the winter months as the roads are slippery and the weather can be very cold should your vehicle decide to break down. Even in the summer, there are hazards though, including wildlife encounters both on the road and on the trails, not to mention a lot of traffic. 

In this guide, we’ll help you plan your trip from Banff to Jasper as well as learn all the best things to do along the Icefields Parkway.

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59 of the Best Things To Do in Alberta

By Matthew G. Bailey 172 Comments

Banff to Jasper on the Icefields Parkway, Alberta, Canada
The Spectacular Icefields Parkway, Alberta, Canada. Photo by Matthew G. Bailey.

Updated: March 20th, 2022

From boreal forests to vast prairies and high mountain peaks, Alberta is an incredible province to explore. Born and raised in Alberta, I certainly feel that I know Alberta better than most. I’ve been to each major city and almost every small town in the province, giving me great insight into the province that I call home.

Although Alberta is one of only two provinces that are landlocked, Alberta is about as diverse as it gets. From looking at Dinosaur skeletons in the badlands and hiking some of the tallest mountain peaks in the country to splashing around in North America’s largest indoor waterpark and driving one of the world’s most scenic highways, Alberta is an incredible place to explore.

Whether you’re planning to explore the cities, the mountains, or everything in-between, we’ve got you covered in this comprehensive travel guide to the wonderful province of Alberta.

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Edmonton to Jasper

By Matthew G. Bailey 9 Comments

Jasper National Park is easily one of the best things to do in Alberta.
An aerial view of Jasper National Park reveals the beautiful colours of the fall.

Last updated: February 4th, 2022

While Edmonton is not as close to the Rocky Mountains as Calgary is, it’s actually a pretty good base for starting a road trip to Jasper. Situated at the northern tip of the incredible Icefields Parkway, Jasper is an exquisite mountain town with an array of outdoor activities, jaw-dropping natural attractions, and world-class restaurants. It’s less touristy than Banff, which is exactly what makes it such a special place to visit.

We’ve actually done this drive in reverse, going from Jasper to Edmonton and it’s a very straightforward 4-hour drive. The roads are well maintained and there are plenty of small towns along the way to find services in. It’s also home to a variety of wildlife, which means you might see deer, elk, or bears.

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Calgary to Jasper

By Matthew G. Bailey 2 Comments

best things to do in alberta
An aerial view of Jasper National Parks reveals the beautiful colours of the fall.

Last updated: December 3rd, 2022

For those visiting or living in Calgary, you’re in an incredible place. There are so many epic road trips that start from Calgary, and quite possibly the best one of them all is the drive from Calgary to Jasper.

Located in the foothills just next to the Canadian Rockies, Calgary is a great base for exploring some of Canada’s best scenery, including Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Kootenay National Park, Yoho National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park, and so many others. Wow, that’s a lot of national parks.

What’s awesome about driving from Calgary to Jasper is that first, you have to drive from Calgary to Banff! Driving from Calgary to Banff is already an epic road trip in and of itself but now you get to extend it and go even deeper in the majestic Rocky Mountains.

There are so many things to do in Jasper and in Banff. Whether you’re interested in hiking, mountain biking, downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, fishing, or delicious restaurants, Jasper has something for everyone. While we certainly recommend taking some time to experience some of the awesome things to do in Calgary as well, the goal of this travel guide is to help you get from Calgary to Jasper. [Read more…] about Calgary to Jasper

The ULTIMATE Guide to Things To Do in Jasper

By Matthew G. Bailey 10 Comments

best things to do in alberta
An aerial view of Jasper National Park reveals the beautiful fall colours.

Things to Do in Jasper Last updated: February 9th, 2023

Located a little further off the “beaten track”, Jasper is like a smaller, more local Banff. Nestled at the north end of the Icefields Parkway in Jasper National Park, Jasper is surrounded by vast valleys, towering mountain peaks, and hordes of wildlife. If you’re looking for a quieter version of Banff, this is it.

Just like Banff, Jasper is an epic destination for outdoor enthusiasts. You’ll find Alberta’s tallest mountain, stunning Maligne Lake and Instagram-famous Spirit Island, the world’s second-largest dark sky preserve, more than 1,200 kilometres of hiking trails, and the incredible Jasper SkyTram. There’s also a variety of delicious restaurants, accommodations, and souvenir shops – everything a traveller could possibly want.

In this guide, we’ll describe all the things to do in Jasper so that you can plan the best trip ever.

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Three Day Jasper Itinerary

By Matthew G. Bailey 7 Comments

Driving the Icefields Parkway

Driving the Icefields Parkway

Our trip began under a blanket of clouds but it wasn’t long before they opened up to reveal the mighty peaks that make the Icefields Parkway so famous. Known as one of the world’s most scenic drives, it didn’t take long to understand why. Snow-capped mountains, lush pine valleys, sparkling glaciers, and turquoise-coloured lakes are just some of the attractions that make the drive so spectacular.

Although the drive between Lake Louise and Jasper only takes three hours, you’ll want to double that for the many scenic stops you’ll be making along the way. While it’s incredibly easy to keep busy for weeks in both Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, we only had three days and decided to pack them with as much activities and scenery as possible. [Read more…] about Three Day Jasper Itinerary

Becker’s Chalets | Best Places to Stay in Jasper, Alberta

By Matthew G. Bailey 2 Comments

Beckers Chalets Jasper

View from backers chalets jasper

Situated right next to the Athabasca River, just 10-minutes outside the town of Jasper lies Becker’s Chalets. These chalets are nestled in rocky mountain paradise. Not only does the river flow by but there’s also a massive park complete with a kids playground. Our chalet actually opened out onto the park and every morning we’d see Canadian geese munching on the grass. On one morning, we even saw a herd of Elk munching on the grass. Maybe we should have tried it? Must have been a great breakfast. [Read more…] about Becker’s Chalets | Best Places to Stay in Jasper, Alberta