Jasper Alberta - Must Do's

Jasper, Alberta is a beautiful mountain town located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. It's a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers, with plenty of activities to do and sights to see. Here are some of the must-do things in Jasper, Alberta:

1. Visit Jasper National Park: Jasper National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-visit destination for nature lovers. The park offers endless opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, camping, and scenic drives.

2. Take a ride on the Jasper SkyTram: The Jasper SkyTram is the longest and highest aerial tramway in Canada, and it offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

3. Explore Maligne Lake: Maligne Lake is a beautiful glacier-fed lake located in Jasper National Park. You can take a boat tour to explore the lake and see its famous Spirit Island.

4. Go wildlife viewing: Jasper National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including bears, elk, moose, and bighorn sheep. Join a guided tour or explore on your own to spot some of these incredible creatures.

5. Visit the Columbia Icefield: The Columbia Icefield is a massive sheet of ice that covers an area of 325 square kilometers. You can take a guided tour to explore the icefield and even walk on the glacier.

6. Go skiing or snowboarding: Jasper is a winter wonderland, and there are plenty of opportunities for skiing and snowboarding at the local ski resorts.

7. Soak in the hot springs: The Miette Hot Springs are located just outside of Jasper and are a great place to relax after a long day of hiking or skiing.

8. Visit the Jasper Yellowhead Museum: The Jasper Yellowhead Museum is a great place to learn about the history and culture of the area.

9. Take a scenic drive: Jasper has some of the most beautiful scenic drives in the world, including the Icefields Parkway and the Maligne Lake Road.

10. Enjoy the local cuisine: Jasper has a thriving food scene, with plenty of restaurants and cafes offering local and international cuisine. Be sure to try some of the local specialties, such as bison burgers and Alberta beef.

We would love to hear your stories about your experiences when visiting the region. Share comments below for all to see or send us an email to connect.

The Rocky Mountains

The Rocky Mountains, also known as the Rockies, are a majestic range of mountains that stretch from Alaska in the north, through Canada, down to the United States, and all the way to New Mexico in the south. The range is over 3,000 miles long and covers an area of over 300,000 square miles, making it one of the largest mountain ranges in the world. In this blog, we will explore the history, geography, and unique features of the Rocky Mountains.

Geography

The Rocky Mountains were formed millions of years ago, during a period of intense geological activity. The range consists of several different sub-ranges, including the Canadian Rockies, the Northern Rockies, the Central Rockies, and the Southern Rockies. The highest peak in the range is Mount Elbert, which stands at 14,440 feet above sea level and is located in Colorado.

The Rockies are home to a diverse range of ecosystems, from alpine tundra and snowfields to subalpine forests, montane forests, and grasslands. The range is also home to several major rivers, including the Colorado, the Arkansas, and the Yellowstone. These rivers provide water for millions of people and are important for agriculture, industry, and recreation.

History

The history of the Rocky Mountains is rich and complex. The range has been inhabited for thousands of years by various indigenous groups, including the Ute, Shoshone, Arapaho, and Blackfoot peoples. These groups had a deep spiritual connection to the land and relied on the mountains for food, water, and shelter.

In the 1800s, European explorers and settlers began to venture into the Rockies. They were drawn to the area by the promise of gold, silver, and other natural resources. The discovery of gold in Colorado in 1858 sparked a gold rush, and thousands of people flocked to the area in search of wealth.

The construction of railroads and highways in the late 1800s and early 1900s opened up the Rockies to tourism and recreation. Today, the range is one of the most popular destinations in North America for hiking, skiing, camping, and other outdoor activities.

Unique features

The Rocky Mountains are known for their stunning natural beauty and unique features. One of the most iconic features of the range is its towering peaks, which are covered in snow and ice for much of the year. The range is also home to several national parks, including Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain, and Banff. These parks offer visitors a chance to experience the natural beauty of the Rockies up close and to see its diverse wildlife, including elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and grizzly bears.

Another unique feature of the Rockies is the Continental Divide, which runs along the crest of the range. The Divide marks the point where water flows eastward toward the Atlantic Ocean and westward toward the Pacific Ocean. This feature has played an important role in the development of the American West, as it has helped shape the patterns of settlement, transportation, and resource use in the region.

Conclusion

The Rocky Mountains are a truly remarkable natural wonder, with a rich history and unique features that have captivated people for generations. Whether you are a nature lover, a history buff, or an outdoor enthusiast, there is something for everyone in the Rockies. So the next time you find yourself in North America, be sure to take some time to explore this magnificent range of mountains.

Banff top five

5 Best Things to do in Banff AB

During your stay in Banff Alberta, there are countless things that you can experience to have a memorable visit. With its gorgeous mountains, beautiful blue lakes and rivers, appealing tourist attractions, and so much more are sure to draw in people nationally. So, here are 5 best things to do in Banff.

1.Lake Louise Ski Resort 

Winter is a great time to travel to Banff being this is when a lot of the attractions open. One of the big features would be Lake Louise Ski Resort. The resort is literally set right in the mountains with tons of amazing views from the top. The ski hills are topped with lots of fresh snow, and groomed nicely to make skiing enjoyable. Lake Louise also includes a gondola you can take up to the top and ride back down even if you’re not skiing! Not only can you experience skiing, but you can also tube! Food nearby and a rental area for those who don’t own their own gear. Universally, this is an activity that I definitely recommend during your visit.

 2.Banff Gondola 

The Banff gondola is truly a breathtaking attraction that I know everyone will appreciate doing. The gondola has such a stunning view from the ride up, and once you get to the top. During all times of year you can get some eyeshots that will be saved forever. Once you reach the peak the perspective is unbelievable. Not only that, but the top also offers The Sky Bistro, a restaurant perfect to have a meal once you reach the top. It’s something sure to maximize your views of Banff with.

3.Fairmont Banff Springs

This sight is a classic thing to experience in Banff. Whether you are staying at this historic hotel, or even just heading in to have a dinner, explore, or even coming to enjoy the hot springs, either way you will have a great time. This hotel has multiple ghost stories to hear, a banned hotel room and lots of other notable events that always draw people in. The 5 star hotel has its stunning architecture with the famous marble staircase that all tourists love. Overall, “the castle in the Rockies” will make your trip to Banff agreeably diverting.

4.Johnston Canyon Falls

Johnston Canyon is a must-visit when you are in or around Banff. The falls are absolutely gorgeous anytime of the year. It has overhanging cliff walls, lush forests, deep water areas perfect for swimming and a running or frozen waterfall, (depending on which season you come) are all outstanding landforms that the falls hold. The hike is relatively easy, with little to no steep areas. There are tons of benches and break areas along the way. You are almost sure to see wildlife during your hike. Lots of tourists tend to take picnics for the day as well, as the bottom area of the path has a large area with a few picnic tables. Above that, this location has some beyond amazing picture moments and is sure to impress everyone who visits. 

5.Lake Minnewanka

Lake Minnewanka is such a hidden gem that a lot of people unfamiliar with the banff area miss out on. This lake is amazing during the summer for swimming, hiking trails and lots of lookouts to see. However, during winter, you can have a blast doing some skating on the frozen lake. The frozen ice is just surreal to see and glide on. You might be surprised, but this ice is actually super smooth for a naturally frozen lake. There is tons of space, and it's never too busy. You can bring hockey gear, picnics and tons of other things to do. You can also pull your car up straight to where you’re skating. Nobody can really overlook this experience as it can be such a memorable activity that everyone will enjoy.

These are just a few of the amazing sights you can see and significant memories you can make while you are visiting Banff Alberta. However these are 5 of the best locations that we’ve visited while here. Stay tuned for more blog posts to see more!