My unforgettable summer adventure in Jasper

The Jasper Skytram is like a gondola you ride 7.5 minutes up Whistlers Mountain. At 2,263 metres elevation you’re greeted by stunning, panoramic views without any of the hiking effort typically required to reach summits like this! The SkyTram is the longest and highest guided aerial tramway in all of Canada. It’s family and pet friendly, and there’s a restaurant at the top too (or pack food for a summit picnic).

Located in a secluded area just outside town is Alpine Village Cabin Resort. They have the cutest cabins with beautiful front porches just steps away from the Athabasca River; for warmer waters, seek out their outdoor hot pool. It was a cozy and comfortable base camp for our Jasper adventures.

Just down the road from Alpine Village is Tekarra Restaurant, which specializes in unique meat cuts like elk, bison and wild boar. “Fresh is best” here as they focus on seasonal and local ingredients. Their cocktails are colourful and delicious, and it’s common to order drinks and step over to the ridge to take in the river view while your main dishes are being prepared.

White water rafting is a great adventure for all ages—from kids to seniors and everyone in between. We went on the Class II Athabasca Falls experience with Jasper Rafting Adventures, which starts at the base of the Athabasca Falls, surrounded by towering canyon walls, mountains and forests of the Athabasca River Valley. Depending on current speed, there may be moments when your guide lets you jump into the water for a quick dip (safely, with life jackets on!)

Along the main road in town you’ll find an assortment of restaurants to choose from, including the family-friendly Jasper Pizza Place, which is also one of the few spots in town with a rooftop patio (it’s even covered)! The pizzas are the star here, made in wood burning and traditional ovens. I enjoyed the Build Your Own Pizza option and the housemade, non-alcoholic peach or blueberry sodas was so delicious, refreshing, and colourful!

If you’re a food lover like me, but still want to experience some outdoor mountain adventure along with food, then the incredible Peak-Nic experience by Jasper Food Tours is a must! This is basically a backcountry cooking class, mountain meal and scenic hike all in one! This guided adventure starts with a 3.8 km Old Fort Point Trail, then the group cooks a delicious meal before enjoying it cliffside with an unbelievable view of the valley. Enthusiastic guide Estelle shares so many interesting facts, stories, and fun backcountry cooking tips on this tour, which was named one of the top things to do in Canada by TIME magazine! Our Peak-Nic was at dinnertime but there’s also a lunch option. We had so much fun, and the food was so good. I can’t recommend it enough.

On our final day in Jasper, we grabbed breakfast from Coco’s, a popular spot in town known for their artisan breads, breakfast items and drinks. It’s common to grab a bagged lunch here for your day of adventure!

The last and most ‘bucket list’ experience we did on our visit to Jasper was a guided ride with Jasper Motorcycle Tours! This once-in-a-lifetime experience is so unique because it puts you on the back of a Harley Davidson motorcycle or in an attached sidecar. Your driver takes you to different scenic spots in Jasper National Park while sharing fun facts along the ride. Part of this super fun experience is getting dressed up in biker leathers! You’ll definitely want to frame photos from this ride.