Gabrielle Masciarelli : My Top 10 favourite things to do in Jasper

1. White Water Rafting the Fraser River

With some big rapids perfect for adrenaline junkies, it’s called the ‘Mighty Fraser’ for a reason. Although located a little drive from Jasper townsite (under 1 hour), it definitely offers up the most adventure for white water rafting in the area. With a minimum of Class 3 rapids and up-you’re definitely in for a wet & wild adventure.

2. Icefields and Glacier Skywalk

The Columbia Icefields is one of the largest non-polar ice fields in the world and offers lucky visitors guided ice walks to learn about glacier formations and transportation on specially made Ice Explorers, an absolutely unique experience. After your Columbia Icefields tour, experience the awe-inspiring Sunwapta Valley on the Skywalk. It’s like walking on air, where a glass floor is all that’s between you & the 918 foot drop below, but you’ll want to look down. From this vantage point, you can see waterfalls, wildlife and all kinds of fossils.

3. Maligne Lake

This iconic lake surrounds the famous Spirit Island, one of the most photographed places in the entire Canadian rockies. Made famous by photographer Peter Gale, it has been featured at Grand Central Station in New York and many movies. Tourists can enjoy a scenic boat ride to the picturesque island and learn about wildlife, flora & fauna and geology in the area. Really motivated tourists can rent a kayak and spend several hours paddling out to the island as an alternative to cruising. Guided fishing is also available at Maligne Lake.

4. Maligne Canyon

Malinge is the deepest canyon in the entire park with 6 bridges that take you across rugged terrain. This limestone canyon has a variety of hiking trails and avid hikers and explorers will be rewarded with a photo-op at a show stopping waterfall.

5. Valley of the Five Lakes

This 4.5 km hike is perfect for anyone including families with kids and I remember hiking this circuit many times growing up. Beautiful spring fed jade & turqouise waters are so clear that you can see the fish swimming around. There are lots of opportunities to spot wildlife and marvel at the lush vegetation on this incredible hike.

6. Golf at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

This Stanley Thompson Award Winning Golf Course is arguably one of the best public golf courses around and is consistently rated one of the top resort golf courses in Canada. This 18 hole rugged masterpiece mingles perfectly with the natural beauty of the area, surrounded by mountain backdrops, forests and wildlife and is definitely worth a visit for the avid golfer!

7. Miette Hot Springs

What trip to Jasper would be complete without some down time surrounded by beautiful scenery at Miette Hot Springs. This natural hot springs flows down from the mountain and cools to 104 F at the pool to relax those joints after a day of exploring! The hot springs are particularly magical if you can time it so that you’re there at sunset!

8. Lake Annette

Spend a day at the picturesque, glacier fed Lake Annette. Fully equipped with bbq’s for a beach cookout, washrooms and change rooms, this idyllic lake is the perfect location to just chill and take in the beautiful scenery. Biking trials, scuba diving, fishing, wildlife and bird watching are among some of the activities that can be enjoyed in the area.

9. Athabasca Falls

One of the most famous falls in the area, the roaring Athabasca Falls is an impressive natural force you won’t want to miss on your trip to Jasper. This magnificent waterfall is located just a short hike from vehicle parking and boasts various look-out points along the way as well as the opportunity to learn about the flora and fauna from a scientific perspective, making this a unique experience for visitors to the area. The photo opportunities here are also incredible!

10. Jasper Sky Tram

If you’re up to take in some breathtaking panoramic vistas, this is one of the best vantage points in the area. After a short ride up the side of Whistler Mountain to the summit, you can see 6 mountain ranges, including the famous Mt. Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies.