Located among the natural beauty of Jasper National Park, with a rich history, vibrant main street and reputation for its warm and welcoming community members, the town of Jasper has not had an easy year. Last summer, Jasper National Park suffered its worst wildfire in over a century, destroying one-third of the town’s structures.
Despite the fires, Jasper’s beauty remains, with plenty of things to do and see, and its welcoming charm has been untouched. As part of its recovery efforts, Jasper welcomes visitors to join its journey back to a thriving tourist town.
“Hospitality is in Jasper’s DNA. We’re a friendly, welcoming community, always eager to host,” says Emily Van Tighem, manager of media relations at Tourism Jasper. “This year, your visit matters now more than ever. By choosing Jasper, you’re directly supporting our town’s recovery while experiencing the beauty and adventure we’re known for. We’re ready for you!”
If you’ve been unsure about visiting following the wildfire, here are some things to consider and ways to respectfully support Jasper and its residents on your next trip.
Responsible tourism
Some things are inevitably different in Jasper now. In order to play your part and visit the town responsibly, it’s important to remain mindful. Avoid taking photos of the destruction. Jasper’s stunning landscapes can still be seen; focus on the beauty, it’s why you’ve come to visit, after all! This also ensures you respect the privacy of the residents. In the same breath, respect area closures. Many residents are still navigating serious challenges, but most are ready to move forward, so avoid asking residents unprompted sensitive questions.
The best way to directly support the impacted residents is to enjoy the local offerings. Shop in local stores, grab a coffee and tip your barista, eat in Jasper’s tasty restaurants, call a local cab driver to get you back to your hotel and enjoy your time experiencing Jasper’s many activities.
Here are a few of many things to do in Jasper
Taste the town
Jasper has many options for greats eats and even has food tours to enjoy the variety of restaurants.
For a taste of history, De’d Dog Bar & Grill is one of the town’s oldest pubs, dating back to 1927 when it was called the Astoria Bar. Choose from delicious pub classics like burgers, nachos or wings.
Dating back to 1953 is The Nook at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, serving delicious juicy steaks in the summer season. While at the Fairmont, you can also check out its other restaurants like Orso Trattoria, where you can dine on fine Italian dishes with a stunning view of Lac Beauvert.
If you want to experience one of the town’s newer additions, consider The Maligne Range, a whisky distillery offering innovative spirits and exceptional dishes that celebrate Alberta’s flavours. Choose from Alberta beef brisket, striploin or a bone-in Alberta pork chop and pair it with your choice of whisky or locally brewed beer.
Get outside
A place where the mountain range meets the sky, and lakes, evergreens and wildlife are abundant, Jasper is where you come to be with nature.
Discover the national park on your own or join a small group tour that will take you hiking among rocky skylines, glacier fields and hidden backcountry trails.
Jasper is an all-season exploration destination, but for winter enthusiasts, Marmot Basin is only a 25-minute drive away. Shred the slopes with over 90 marked trails.
For non-skiers, grab a pair of skates and head to one of Jasper’s lakes, like Lake Mildred, which features a one-kilometre round-the-lake skating oval and four hockey rinks for pick-up games. Right next door is the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, where you can rent fat-tire bikes, cross-country skis, snowshoes and toboggans.
And if you’re planning a summer holiday, Jasper Park Lodge has a superb 18-hole golf course, which has been operating since 1925.
Events and more
To double down on the fun, plan your trip around one of Jasper’s upcoming events. For the foodies, check out two upcoming food festivals: Devour! The Canadian Rockies Food and Film Festival, happening April 4 to 6 at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, and Taste of Spring from April 25 to May 4. And for music enthusiasts, don’t miss the Jasper Folk Music Festival in September.
From live music events and enough pubs and restaurants to host a memorable pub-resto crawl to guided mountain tours and premier skiing, there’s no shortage of things to do in Jasper. If you’ve had Jasper on your destination bucket list, now is the time to plan out an unforgettable trip just a few hours from Calgary and help our neighbours with their recovery efforts.
Avenue’s writers and editors are occasionally invited to experience dining or adventure experiences as a guest, including some of the experiences in this story. Neither complimentary experiences nor advertising are required for coverage in Avenue. Neither companies that advertise nor those that provide other incentives are promised editorial coverage, nor do they have the opportunity to review or approve stories before publication.