Jasper National Park

I was a very little kid, and I remember being very impressed with the glaciers. my dad told me a glacier was a big piece of ice that moved very slowly. in my mind, i thought it was alive, like a monster.

I agree with the other entries, it’s less touristy, more wild, and verrry beautiful. We’ll go back time and again.

It’s less tourist haunted than Banff, but more beautiful.

Malign lake is my personal favorite. Hike to view from above.

There are numerous wonderful trails to see glaciers, wildlife, beautiful flowers and lakes, falls, canyons…..so hike it!

Heard it’s great for skiing and all kinds of snow sports in winter. Dreaming of going back.

Is the best of the Rocky Mountain hotsprings I would say. The vistas are tremendous and the 3 temperatures of pools was refreshing and fun. You can also hike up to the site of the original resort in a steep canyon where the hot springs seep out of the very ground.

Definitely some of the best and most varied hiking in Canada. Awesome hostels, the town is kept relatively small to reduce human impact on the area, and you can find a ton of breathtaking trails with virtually no people around. Of course, you’ve got to go get pizza once you’re in town. I have spent many a sunny/foggy/rainy/snowy afternoon here, and I’ll keep going back as long as I am able.

This was a wonderful hotel – it was built like little log cabins. We opened the back patio door to discover a large herd of elk by the door.

beeyootiful

Maybe it’s because I’ve been to Jasper more often than Banff, but I really prefer the former to the latter. The park seems a little wilder to me, a little more expansive and immense.

Back in 1989 (gasp!), I completed first year university and returned home for the summer, taking a train from Vancouver to Jasper, then another from Jasper west to Terrace. A long trip, and spring was barely tiptoeing into northern BC. The trip entailed a day-long layover in Jasper, so with a guy from UBC whom I’d met on the train I got a room at the Athabasca Hotel for the day, napped, ate out, walked around, and even went to see Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.

As for the park, well, the Ice Fields are a highlight, as is Maligne Lake and River. And you can’t beat seeing all the wildlife roaming through town. Just please, don’t feed the bears.

I’ve been back since and have liked it each time. I will be back!