With towering peaks keeping
watch and natural beauty at every corner, the park community of Jasper has become
known as one of Canada's
premiere vacation destinations. Located right in the heart Jasper
National Park, the Jasper Townsite is a base for visitors wanting to
explore the largest of the Canadian
Rockies' parks. The town itself, with its friendly atmosphere and year-round
attractions,
offers a mountain getaway ideal for all seasons. From museums
and the Jasper
Tramway to bluish-green glacial lakes,
this Mecca for outdoor recreation is more than just a small mountain town.
HISTORY
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Jasper
Information Centre 1 |
The first recorded visit
to the Athabasca Valley was in 1810 by a surveyor and fur trader named David
Thompson. Soon after setting up a shelter near the present-day Jasper Townsite,
this area became the primary trade route through the Canadian Rockies for the
next 50 year. The 1870s mainly saw railroad surveyors hoping to set up a railway
through the upper Athabasca Valley, stirring the federal government's curiosity
in the region. This interest led to the area officially being signed as Jasper
Forest Park on Sept. 14, 1907. Soon after, around 1909, the Grand Trunk Pacific
Railway began construction of the railroad. However, competition against the
Canadian Northern Railway became fierce when they too began putting down tracks
in 1913.
With the railways in place,
government officials began arriving, and the first superintendent set up a headquarters
house near a newly built train station. At this time, officials also decided
to change the name of this crudely built town from Fitzhugh to Jasper. The first
businessmen, mostly outfitters and guides, also began setting up around this
area in 1913, causing the town to not only attract government personnel but
tourists as well. This created the need to build a new and impressive administration
building (which doubled as the superintendent's house), stores,
churches,
a hospital,
a post office and roads. The administration building is now a national historic
site that serves as Jasper's
Information Centre.
In 1930, the forest park
was officially established as Jasper National Park, shifting the town's management
from the park to governance by a municipality. After the Second World War and
ensuing road improvements, visitors began flocking to this destination, with
numbers increasing each year. Today, visitors to this World Heritage Site, which
celebrates its centennial in 2007, amount to about three million each year.
GEOGRAPHY
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Tramway
with the Townsite Below 2 |
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A mountain community, the
Jasper Townsite is located at the core of Jasper National Park, the largest
park in the Canadian Rockies. Surrounded by tall, snow-filled peaks and wild
forests, Jasper is an area spoiled with stunning vistas and natural beauty.
As well as being immediately encircled by numerous pristine glacial lakes, the
town is bordered by the Athabasca
River in the east and the Miette River in the south. The park itself
roughly encompasses 10,800 sq km (4,170 sq mi) of natural Rocky Mountain land
with the Icefields Parkway
shared with Banff National Park
on the south.
CLIMATE
Because Jasper is located
in a valley protected by soaring mountains,
the town typically enjoys mild winters and cool summers. January is generally
the coldest month with a minimum average temperature of -17.8ºC (64ºF) and a
mean snowfall of about 38.1 cm (15 in). Mild chinook winds are common in the
winter and often provide a warm and welcome change to chilly weather. While
the summer season is short, summer days are usually long with temperatures reaching
an average maximum of 22.5ºC (72.5ºF). Summer rainfall is moderate and usually
averages 45.8 mm (1.8 in).
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Month |
Avg.
Daily Temperature |
Average
Snowfall |
|
Min |
Max |
| Jan
|
-15°C
(5°F) |
-5
(23°F) |
31
cm |
| Feb |
-12°C
(10°F) |
-1°C
(30°C) |
18
cm |
| Mar
|
-7°C
(19°F) |
5°C
(41°F) |
17
cm |
| Apr |
-2°C
(28°F) |
11°C
(52°F) |
9
cm |
| May
|
2°C
(36°F) |
16°C
(61°F) |
1
cm |
| Jun
|
6°C
(43°F) |
19°C
(66°F) |
0.3
cm |
| Jul |
8°C
(46°F) |
22°C
(72°F) |
0
cm |
|
Aug |
7°C
(45°F) |
22°C
(72°F) |
0.2
cm |
|
Sep |
3°C
(37°F) |
16°C
(61°F) |
2
cm |
|
Oct |
-1°C
(30°F) |
10°C
(50°F) |
8
cm |
|
Nov |
-9°C
(16°F) |
0°C
(32°F) |
22
cm |
|
Dec |
-14°C
(7°F) |
-5°C
(23°F) |
30
cm |
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Average
Daily Temperatures and Climate Data for Jasper |
TRANSPORTATION
Jasper does not have its
own airport but there are several options nearby. The Edmonton
International Airport is located about 360 km (224 mi) east of the town
while the Calgary
International Airport is found 480 km (298 mi) southeast. The Jasper
Hinton Airport, a small airport that serves tour operators and offers
charter flights, is located about 64 km (40 mi) east of the Jasper Townsite.
Visitors may choose from several coach services that depart to Jasper from a
few major destinations including Edmonton
and Calgary.
Those making the three and
a half hour drive from Edmonton will need to take Highway 16, while the four
and a half hour drive from Calgary is completed via Highway 1. Because Jasper
is located on the main CN railway line, train
service to the town is also available. Stopping in downtown Jasper, trains depart
from Edmonton several times a week and require no transfers. There is no public
transportation
in this small, one-traffic light town but a number of taxi
services will help visitors get around the area, including top tourist attractions
surrounding the townsite.
FEATURED ATTRACTIONS
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Lac
Beauvert 3 |
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Jasper Tramway
Completed in the summer of 1964, the Jasper Tramway is one of Canada's longest
aerial trams. It features two terminals, the longest of which has a cable length
of 1,000 m (3,280 ft) and takes visitors to the main lookout
located at an elevation of 2,277 m (7,472 ft). Two tramcars, travelling at about
10 km/sec (6 mi/sec), transport up to 30 passengers each and allow riders to
enjoy the mountain scenery around and below. Once at the top of Whistlers
Mountain, visitors will encounter scenic panoramas of sparkling glacial
lakes, deep valleys, neighbouring mountains and the Jasper Townsite below. Guests
will also find gift shops and the Treeline
Restaurant, which allows patrons to sit in a glass-enclosed dining room
that offers spectacular 260° views of the mountain peaks outdoors.
Museums
From historic photographs to wool bathing suits and deerskin coats, the Jasper
Yellowhead Museum and Archives is filled with items and artifacts from
Jasper National Park and area's early years. Operated by the Jasper-Yellowhead
Historical Society, the museum is dedicated to highlighting, collecting and
preserving the region's rich human and natural history from as far back as 10,000
years ago. There are several galleries for visitors to peruse through including
the Historical Gallery featuring trade, railway and early tourism artifacts,
the ever-changing Showcase Gallery and the Alcove Gallery displaying items such
as old typewriters, telegraph equipment and early telephones.
Offering a safe way to get
up close to Alberta's wildlife, the Den
Wildlife Museum features realistic wildlife exhibits including 130 life-size
specimens such as grizzly bears, moose, cougars and elk. Collected and put together
by Canadian taxidermists over the span of 45 years, the museum is separated
into four of Alberta's natural districts: the prairies, the northern forest,
the aspen parkland and the mountain region. The museum is located in the lower
level of the historic Whistlers
Inn.
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Maligne
Lake and the Curly Philips Boat House 4 |
Natural Attractions
Known for its impressive
mountains and blue-green lakes, the Jasper Townsite is located within easy access
of many of the park's natural attractions. Just 10 minutes from the town are
the kettle lakes, which consist of Lake
Annette, Lake
Edith and Lac
Beauvert. These spring fed lakes are a popular recreation spot for summer
tourists due to amenities such as picnic areas and interpretive trails.
Sandy beaches can also be found at Lakes Edith and Annette, making them an ideal
summer wading spot. Lac Beauvert, emerald-coloured and the largest of the three,
also has the historic Fairmont
Jasper Park Lodge at its shores.
One of Jasper National Park's
most visited attractions is Maligne
Lake and Spirit
Island, located 48 km (30 mi) southeast of the town. From canoeing
and kayaking
to trout fishing
and scenic cruise-like boat
tours, Maligne Lake provides visitors with countless opportunities for
outdoor water recreation. This scenic glacial lake is also home to the historic
Curly
Philips Boathouse, one of the park's first outdoor outfitters. Still
in operation to this day, patrons may find a wide range of rental
equipment and services. A few shopping
and dining
options are also located nearby.
One of the first stops that
visitors make upon entering Jasper National Park at the south entrance is at
Athabasca
Falls and Mount
Edith Cavell. With viewpoints located just off Highway 93, these accessible
sights showcase the majestic beauty often attributed to this national park.
Although only 23 m (75 ft) high, Athabasca Falls is an extremely powerful cascade
that is forced into a narrow quartzite and limestone rich canyon. Several viewing
platforms are located along the falls and the Athabasca River system, allowing
for clear views and excellent photo opportunities.
The Mount Edith Cavell area,
popular for its sub-alpine lined hiking and biking trails, offers impressive
views of this towering mountain. Characterized by its jagged peaks, the mountain
stands 3,363 m (11,034 ft) high, making an ideal location for alpine climbing.
Named after a First World War British nurse who helped allied troops, the mountain
is also the location of Angel
Glacier and its meltwater lake, Cavell
Pond.
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Bathing
at Miette Hot Springs 5 |
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Miette Hot Springs
Synonymous with an excursion to Jasper is a trip to the mineral rich waters
of Miette
Hot Springs. First introduced to Hudson's Bay and North West Company
workers by First Nations people in the early 1800s, the hot springs have been
attracting bathers ever since. Springing from Sulphur Creek, some of the waters
first take a trip through cracks in the mountain rock, being pulled deeper below.
Heated by radioactive decay from the earth's core, the waters are eventually
boiled until they are forced back up, flowing from the mountain at 54°C (129.2°F),
making them the hottest springs found in the Canadian Rockies. As the waters
enter the hot springs' bathing pools, they are cooled to 40°C (104°F), allowing
visitors to soak in one of two hot pools.
Two cool pools and a poolside
shower are also available. In addition to this, a spa offering a range of health
services for guests was opened in 2002. Located in the Fiddle Valley amidst
mountain scenery, guests are also given the opportunity to view wildlife such
as black bears and bighorn sheep. The springs are open to visitors from May
to mid-October.
PHOTO
COURTESY
- c/o Travel Alberta;
Jasper Information Centre; Jasper, AB, CA
- c/o Travel Alberta;
Tramway with the Townsite Below; Jasper, AB, CA
- c/o Travel Alberta;
Lac Beauvert; Jasper, AB, CA
- c/o Travel Alberta;
Maligne Lake and the Curly Philips Boathouse; Jasper, AB, CA
- c/o Travel Alberta;
Bathing at Miette Hot Springs; Jasper, AB, CA
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