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Jasper National Park Events & Activities |
Quick links: Jasper
History | Local
Calendar of Events
Mount Robson Inn Jasper & Area
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Nestled in the heart of the spectacular
Rocky Mountains, Jasper National Park offers unique experiences
and some of North America's most breathtaking scenery. Easily
accessible from Edmonton, Calgary and Banff, Jasper's soaring
mountain peaks, vibrant glacial lakes and intriguing wildlife
attract visitors from around the world.
Rich in Canadian History, the Jasper area has been inhabited
for over 10,000 years. Its storied past can be explored at various
historic sites throughout the park, set among the pristine mountains
that make Jasper an irresistible Canadian Rockies destination
year round.
Jasper National Park's mountains, lakes and rivers provide a
striking backdrop to unlimited recreational opportunities that
create wonderful, life-long memories. During warmer months,
visitors enjoy activities such as hiking, canoeing, horseback
riding, wildlife viewing, golfing and fishing. Jasper's picturesque
rivers can be explored on rafting trips provided by Jasper
Raft Tours and Rocky
Mountain River Guides. Rent a mountain bike from
Freewheel
Cycle and explore the park's sensational trails,
or ride the unique Jasper
Tramway for staggering views from 2,277 m (7,472
ft) above sea level. When winter hits, snow-sport lovers flock
to Jasper for outstanding skiing and snowboarding at Marmot
Basin. Magical ice walks at Maligne Canyon intrigue
and amaze, and dog-sledding provides a uniquely Canadian experience.
Sundog
Tours offers year-round guided
sightseeing tours and private charters, while Vacation
Jasper takes care of all the details, providing
complete vacation packages that include accommodation, guided
tours, activities and transportation. From sightseeing trips
to lake cruises to world-class golfing, Vacation Jasper can
provide custom packages tailored to specific interests.
The action doesn't stop at the Jasper townsite. Brimming with
restaurants, pubs, boutiques, gift shops and sporting outlets,
downtown Jasper provides visitors with top-notch amenities and
attractions. And there's always something going on with a year-round
schedule of fun events
for the whole family. After a jam-packed day of exploring
all that Jasper National Park has to offer, relax at the welcoming
Mount Robson Inn, first-rate accommodation just minutes from
downtown Jasper.
Please check out these useful Jasper area sites to help plan
your holiday:
DiscoverJasper.com
JasperNationalPark.com
Visit-Jasper.com
ExploreJasper.com
And the comprehensive TourismJasper
website
For more information on surrounding national parks check out:
Canadianrockies.net
BanffNationalPark.com
BanffTravel.com
DiscoverLakeLouise.com
On your travels through the
Canadian Rocky Mountains, consider staying with our regional
partners, Banff
Aspen Lodge in Banff, Best
Western Valemount in Valemount, Glacier
Mountain Lodge in Blue River and the St.
Albert Inn in St. Albert, all of which offer quality
accommodation and friendly hospitality.
HISTORY
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Our mountainous park, a landscape carved
from glacial retreat and inhabited by many species of wildlife,
has a long history of settlers. Evidence reveals that First
Nations people have been living and surviving in the area for
12,000 years. It wasn't until the 19th century that fur traders
from Eastern Canada came west looking for passes through the
Rocky Mountains to access fur in British Columbia.
Demand for fur prompted the need for surveyors and mapmakers
to explore the area and consequently name many of the features
such as mountains and lakes. Adventurers and climbers alike
followed with ambitions of ascending some of these newly discovered
peaks.
Uniting Canada through a cross-country railway in the early
20th century brought both the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway and
the Canadian Northern Railway into the Athabasca Valley. At
this time-1907-the federal government decided to create Jasper
Forest Park, spanning an area of 13,000 square kilometres. Construction
of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway began at Fitzhugh Station
in 1911, establishing a small community. However, in 1913, Mr.
Fitzhugh, vice president of Grand Trunk Pacific Railway and
whom the town was named after, resigned. The town became Jasper,
recalling a local 19th-century supply depot operated by a clerk
named Jasper Hawes.
1930 marked a significant change with the passing of the National
Parks Act. The Forest Park officially became Jasper National
Park with an area of 10,000 square kilometres. The rest of the
decade ushered in a new era of tourism with the construction
of roads and facilities such as Miette Hot Springs. Local businessmen
started to build and promote the downhill ski industry. 1937
marked the completion of an all-season road to Edmonton and
the Icefields Parkway to Banff opened in 1940. With Jasper now
easier to access, accommodations, restaurants, and tour operators
began to open and help make Jasper the international tourist
destination it is today. |
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