Jasper Travel Guide

do not go into the town of jasper, though the folks at the visitor center are pretty knowledgable about the backcountry.  this is an expensive place if you're used to non-national park wilderness, and pretty restricted, but unbelievably beautiful and the roads are paved.  stock up on all your groceries before you get there, and the more time you can spend in the backcountry the less you'll have to spend.  maligne pass is beautiful and a fun hike, and the athabasca river is in the arctic basin, pretty exciting for us southerners.  next time i get up there i'm going to try for assiniboine or hamber provincial parks.  make sure you're ready for cold, snow, and rain, even in august.

I stayed a night at the Athabasca Hotel away from the side of the bar (as you look at it from the front outside, it would be on the left side).  The room was clean and comfortable.  Only drawback was it had no A/C.  There was a fan and one window, but it can get stuffy in late July.  There is a big bar and lots of stuffed animals along the ceiling.  Jasper is a small town with lots of touristy/artsy shops.  There is a tram somewhat nearby but I didn't make it there, nor to the nearby ski area (Marmot?). The hotel does serve very good food, though.  There is a grocery store a few blocks away, though.

To get more out of your mountain experience, visit the Jasper Adventure Centre to rent skis (cross country or downhill), snowshoes, or sign up for guided tours and icewalks of the Maligne Canyon.  The later in the season you go, the more fantastic the ice walls in the canyon.  Always get an experienced guide for the ice walk, as they are trained to test the safety of the ice, and guide you on the safest route.  They can also teach you quite a bit about local flora/fauna, history, etc.