Activities

Summer Activities & Winter Activities (click your season to view the full list)

 Summer Activities in Jasper

Summer is when Jasper National Park’s playground is most popular. Visitors and locals get out and enjoy all the Rocky Mountain activities by water, air and land. At the Mount Robson Inn, we are a Jasper hotel happy to offer recommendations to our guests on where to see wildlife, catch the thrill of white-water or take in a peaceful hike to Canadian Rockies vista. We have compiled a list in alphabetical order of Jasper’s most popular summer activities.

Biking

Mountain biking is a great way to experience Jasper National Park’s variety of trails and get to stunning mountain and lake views. While some trails are restricted to pedestrians only, most Jasper National Park bike trails are shared by hikers, horses and wildlife. Freewheel Cycle in Jasper rents mountain bikes, helmets and locks. Click here for their guide to mountain biking in Jasper.

Bird watching

Jasper National Park is home to a variety of species of birds including the Osprey, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Red- naped Sapsucker and many more. You can venture out on your own with binoculars and a trail map or hire a local guide such as Jasper Naturalist.

Boat Tours – Canoeing & Kayaking

One of the Canadian Rockies most coveted photographs is the one of Maligne Lake and Spirit Island in Jasper National Park, Alberta. 48 kms out of the Jasper town site, Maligne Lake area is a perfect day trip for a myriad of activities. Maligne Lake Boat Tours offers a 90 minute scenic tour and has been claimed as “Canada’s best boat tour”. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent as well. Maligne Tours offers daily shuttle service to Maligne Lake. Combine a guided hike of the area and the boat cruise with Sun Dog Tours for a full Maligne Lake experience. They will provide transportation to and from your hotel.  Let us book your canoe, kayak or boat tour – call 855.552.7737 or email us now

Columbia Icefields & Glaciers

There are twelve glaciers in the Canadian Rockies. The most popular is the Columbia Icefield which is amongst the largest non-polar accumulations inn North America. This huge glacier spawns eight major glaciers in the area.
Travelers of the Icefields Parkway can stop and experience the Columbia Icefield in a self guided exploration however; to fully experience and learn about the glaciers, a guided tour is highly recommended. Sun Dog Tours in Jasper Alberta offers daily tours from Jasper that include stops at Athabasca and Sunwapta waterfalls and suncoach rides that puts you right on the glacier. The proposed Glacier Discovery Walk will be positioned on the Athabasca Glacier.  Let us book your Icefields Adventure  - call 855.552.7737 or email us now

Cycling

Twists, turns, ups and down, plus the spectacular mountain scenery flanking both sides’ makes seeing the Icefields Parkway and Jasper National Park by road bike a memorable experience. The route from Lake Louise to Jasper on the Icefields Parkway serves up some of the best scenery for a circle tour.

Fishing

Whether you are a spin caster or a diehard fly fisherman, Jasper National Park’s rivers, lakes and streams hold fantastic opportunities for rainbow trout, brown trout and brook trout. A National Park fishing license and knowledge of the local regulations is required. Click here for information from Jasper National Park or go with a Fishing Guide for trout fishing in the Canadian Rockies.  Let us book your Canadian Rockies fishing trip – call 855.552.7737 or email us now

Golf

The Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course is an award-winning Alberta golf course that remains one of the must play courses in Canada. Rich in history, this 18 hole championship course offers elevated tee boxes, dramatic bunkers and holes aligned with Rocky Mountain views. Click for more information or to book your tee time.

Helicopter Tours

Climbing 500 feet per minute gets you above the peaks to take in the vast Rocky Mountain landscapes, glaciers, streams and rivers of Jasper National Park. There are a variety of helicopter tours available to the Cline and Wilson Glaciers, as well as a tour to the Columbia Icefield. Few people experience the Rockies by air and we think it is an experience that you will remember for a lifetime. Check in with Icefield Heli Tours Canada for more information.  Let us book your Helicopter tour – call 855.552.7737 or email us now

Hiking

Jasper National Park’s natural trail network has been expanded and maintained for the benefit of everyone wanting to experience Jasper’s wild lands. Whether you are walking the short MarySchäffer Loop or hiking all day in the Bald Hills there is enough terrain to satisfy the hiker with no experience to scrambles. Mount Edith Cavell is a popular local hike to alpine wilderness. Click here for Jasper National Park trail maps

Horseback Riding

Early outfitters and explorers established many of the trails in the park’s 1200-kilometer network. Seeing the Canadian Rockies on horseback is a beautiful and tranquil way to get into the wilderness. Check out Jasper Park Horseback Riding Stables to book your tour.  Let us book your Horseback Riding tour – call 855.552.7737 or email us now

Icefields Parkway Drive

Easily and without a doubt the Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper is the most dramatic stretch of highway in Alberta, if not in Canada. The Icefields Parkway is 232 km in length and offers access to a vast wilderness of pristine mountain lakes, ancient glaciers and sweeping valleys. This remarkable travel route winds its way through Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. You couldn’t drive the Icefields Parkway often enough to be anything but awed by it. We highly recommend that you plan plenty of time to stop at the many scenic look outs, the Columbia Icefields and riverside pull outs.  Book-ending your Icefields Parkway road trip is the The Mountaineer Lodge in Lake Louise, the sister hotel of the Mount Robson Inn.  We have special rate packages for guests staying at the Mount Robson Inn and the Mountaineer Lodge, Alberta.

Jasper Tramway

The Jasper Tramway whisks you up Whistler’s Mountain to an elevation of 2277 meters (7472 feet), for stunning vistas over mountain ranges stretching up to 80 km away. Interpretive exhibits explain the high alpine environment and a hiking trail leads you to the summit of the mountain. Click here for rates and operating times Family vacation packages including the Jasper Tramway and hotel accommodations are available at the Mount Robson Inn.  Let us book your Jasper Tramway tickets – call 855.552.7737 or email us now

Jasper Yellowhead Museum & Archives

Thought you knew all there was to know about Jasper? A visit to the Jasper Yellowhead Museum & Archives is an educational experience in the human history of Jasper and the Yellowhead corridor. The museum is located at 400 Bonhomme Street, Jasper National Park, Alberta Canada.

Miette Hot Springs

Heated by geothermal warmth, the Miette Hot Springs are the hottest known springs in Alberta’s Canadian Rockies. Each minute approximately 800 litres of steaming water pours out of the natural ducts along the creek. The Hot Springs are open from mid May to mid October, closed in the winter. The Miette Hot Springs are located 60 kms east of Jasper town site.

Motorcycle Touring

With a choice of high alpine destinations, only short distances away, you can have an amazing mountainous ride in just hours. For those who have more time you can spend up to 3 days exploring and discovering Jasper National Park by motorcycle. Jasper Motorcycle Tours rents bikes to experience riders. If you are inexperience or prefer someone else to drive check out Side Car Tours, a “Signature Experience” offered by Jasper Motorcycle Tours. If you are planning on visiting the Canadian Rockies by bike, please visit our Motorcycle Vacations page for hotel amenities offered exclusively to our fellow riders.  Let us book your Motorcycle tour – call 855.552.7737 or email us now

Photography

Early and late in the day is usually the best time for photographing landscapes and wildlife. Visit local photographer John E Marriott’s photography blog for tips on Jasper photography.

White Water Rafting

Offering exhilaration and a different perspective rafting is one of the best ways to experience the Canadian Rockies. From float trips to digging in your paddle on class III rapids on the Athabasca River, there are a variety of different rafting tours in Jasper. The newest experience is the Heli-Rafting where you can enjoy a helicopter tour to Cline River to take on the class III rapids it offers.

Call us direct to book your whitewater rafting trip in the Canadian Rockies – 855.552.7737 or email us now

Rafting Options

Jasper Raft Tours – Rafting float trips great for people of all ages looking for mild adventure and a slower pace to enjoy spectacular scenery

Jasper Rafting Adventures – From class II to exhilarating class IV whitewater rafting trips, even heli rafting for the ultimate experience

Jasper’s Whitewater Rafting Company – Offering class 2 to class 3 whitewater trips, 40 years of experience

Rocky Mountain River Guides – White water rafting experiences for families to thrill-seekers.

Maligne Rafting Adventures - Offering a choice of rivers for your whitewater adventures

Wildlife

The chance to observe wild animals as they go about their natural lives is one of the most fascinating experiences that our mountain national parks have to offer. The Wildlife Safari Tour with Sun Dog Tours is an excellent way to get close and learn about these animals in their natural habitat. Just walking through Jasper and even looking out your Mount Robson Inn hotel accommodation often you will see elk or deer nearby.  Let us book your Wildlife Guided tour – call 855.552.7737 or email us now

Another great source for Jasper National Park activities, guides and maps is Parks Canada and Tourism Jasper The Mount Robson Inn is a Jasper hotel accommodation offering vacation packages and specials that include area activities and sightseeing tours. Visit our specials and packages page for more information and to help plan your Jasper hotel vacation package.

Skiing in Jasper and Winter Activities

Whatever your interest, whether it be finding the best skiing, going dog sledding, or a romantic skate, you’ll find it here in Jasper National Park. We love snow days in Jasper! The more it snows, the bigger our smiles get. In fact, Jasper snowfall by April 1, 2012 was 560 cm and counting (no April Fool’s joke). Visitors and locals get out and enjoy all the Rocky Mountain activities by water, air and land. At the Mount Robson Inn, we are a Jasper hotel happy to offer recommendations to our guests on where to see wildlife, take in the best of Jasper’s dining scene or enjoy a fascinating Canyon crawl in the Canadian Rockies. We have compiled a list in alphabetical order of Jasper’s most popular winter activities.

Bird watching

While most species head south for the winter, such birds as the White-tailed Ptarmigan, American Dipper and Chickadee call Jasper National Park home year round. Binoculars in hand you can explore the surrounding woodland areas or hire a local guide such as Jasper Naturalist.

Helicopter Tours

Climbing 500 feet per minute gets you above the peaks to take in the vast Rocky Mountain landscapes, glaciers, streams and rivers of Jasper National Park. There are a variety of helicopter tours available to the Cline and Wilson Glaciers, as well as a tour to the Columbia Icefield. Few people experience the Rockies by air and we think it is an experience that you will remember for a lifetime. Check in with Icefield Heli Tours Canada for more information.  Let us book your helicopter tour – call 855.552.7737 or email us now

Ice Walks & Winter Hiking

There are few places more beautiful to hike year round than at Maligne Canyon. One of the most spectacular gorges in the Canadian Rockies, sheer limestone walls plunge to depths of over 50 meters (165 ft.). During the winter season, try your hand at a guided Canyon Tour across the floor of the frozen canyon.  Let us book your Maligne Canyon Crawl – call 855.552.7737 or email us now

Icefields Parkway Drive

The Icefields Parkway, between Jasper and Lake Louise, is without a doubt the most dramatic stretch of highway in Alberta, if not in Canada. It is amazing in the summer and completely transformed in the winter. The Icefields Parkway is 232 km in length and offers access to a vast wilderness of pristine mountain lakes, ancient glaciers and sweeping valleys. This remarkable travel route winds its way through Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. We highly recommend that you plan plenty of time to stop at the many scenic look outs, the Columbia Icefields and riverside pull outs. Check road conditions before heading out. This road is not a major highway but it is usually well maintained after a snowfall.

Jasper Tramway

The Jasper Tramway is closed in the winter and reopens at the end of April until Thanksgiving weekend. Click here for rates and operating times Family vacation packages including the Jasper Tramway and hotel accommodations are available at the Mount Robson Inn.

Jasper Yellowhead Museum & Archives

Thought you knew all there was to know about Jasper? A visit to the Jasper Yellowhead Museum & Archives is an educational experience in the human history of Jasper and the Yellowhead corridor. The museum is located at 400 Bonhomme Street, Jasper National Park, Alberta Canada.

Miette Hot Springs

60kms east of the Jasper town site you’ll find the hottest natural hot spring in the Canadian Rockies – Miette Hot Springs. The Miette Hot Springs are open from May to October, closed in the winter.

Skiing & Snowboarding – Marmot Basin

Marmot Basin (www.skimarmot.com) is as unpretentious as it is pristine. Overlooking breathtaking mountain vistas, you will find the 1,675 acres, 86 runs and 3,000 vertical feet of varied terrain that make up Marmot Basin – the highest base elevation of all Canadian ski areas. There are 4 distinct areas of the mountain that are laid out in a very user friendly way for skiing and snowboarding, so going from steep alpine bowls to bumps to cruising through glades is just a chairlift or two away. The Mount Robson Inn offers Jasper hotel accommodations as well as ski shuttle.  Let us package your lift tickets with accommodation – call 855.552.7737 or email us now

Cross Country Skiing

Whether you enjoy short cross-country ski loops with gentle slopes and spectacular sights, or longer challenging ski routes, Jasper is full of breath-taking cross-country skiing adventures. Take in the scenery at a variety of locations including; Whistler’s Campground, Maligne Lake, Athabasca Falls Whirlpool Valley and The Pyramid Bench. Click here for cross country ski trails. Ski rentals and guides are available at Skis Please Rental Shop in Jasper.

Wildlife

The chance to observe wild animals as they go about their natural lives is one of the most fascinating experiences that our mountain national parks have to offer. The Wildlife Safari Tour with Sun Dog Tours is an excellent way to get close and learn about these animals in their natural habitat. Just walking through Jasper and even looking out your Mount Robson Inn hotel accommodation often you will see elk or deer nearby.  Let us book your Winter Wildlife Safari tour – call 855.552.7737 or email us now

Ice Skating

Ice skating is a favorite Canadian pastime. Jasper boasts three stunning outdoor natural ice skating locations; Lac Beauvert, Lake Mildred and Pyramid Lake. Ice skates can be rented in at Jasper Source for Sports. Ask at the hotel front desk for driving directions to your preferred skating location.

Photography

Early and late in the day is usually the best time for photographing landscapes and wildlife. For tips on Jasper photography, visit local photographer and published photographer Paul Zizka Photography or John E Marriott’s photography blog.

Snowshoeing

Covering ground in fresh snow can be challenging but not with snowshoes! Snowshoeing is rapidly increasing in popularity and is an exciting, and very practical way to explore Jasper National Park wilderness. Marshy or glade areas, like those found on the Pyramid Bench, are the best places to snowshoe. The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge golf course provides a level area for beginners. There are several places to rent snowshoes in Jasper. For optimal sightseeing and safety you may want to book a Snowshoe Tour.  Let us book your snowshoe tour – call 855.552.7737 or email us now

Another great source for Jasper National Park activities, guides and maps is Parks Canada and Tourism Jasper Vacation packages and specials are available at Jasper’s hotel accommodation The Mount Robson Inn. These packages and specials include hotel accommodations, area activities and sightseeing tours. Visit our specials and packages page for more information and to help plan your Jasper hotel vacation package.