Apres Ski in Jasper
Jasper is a real Rocky Mountain town, Canada-style. Its roots go back to 1811 when explorer-mapmaker David Thompson got his men to build a base here while searching for a fur-trading route through the Rockies.
The Town of Jasper
Today Jasper is a relaxed mix of rustic lodges, cappuccino bars, eateries, a cinema, contemporary and historic Canadian art galleries and museums, excellent indoor sports and swimming centre. Jasper is not tourist dependent, it’s a friendly town and a real community with a permanent population of 4,500 residents, many of whom work for Canada’s largest railroad.
Marmot Basin is 12 miles (19 km) south of Jasper town via Highway 93, 93A and the Marmot Basin Road, and has a base lodge called Caribou Chalet which houses the ticket office, ski and snowboard school, dining and restaurant facilities, the Outer Limits Retail Shop, the day care, guest services, and the rental and repair store.
Apres Ski Bars & Restaurants in Jasper
After your last ride down, Marmot’s Caribou Lounge has several bars, while back in Jasper there are over a dozen bars, plus two nightclubs—AthaB Nightclub and Pete’s Bar.
Whistle Stop in the Whistlers Inn has a good choice of beers with 10 ales on tap. Local musicians jam on Tuesday nights at the Athabasca Hotel, which also has a disco. Villa Caruso has a comfortable martini lounge with a fireplace and mountain views.
There are plenty of restaurants to choose from, most of them situated on Connaught Drive or Patricia Street. Andy’s Bistro is popular, with very reasonable prices and a good wine list, while Edith Cavelle Dining Room at the Jasper Park Lodge is good for game.
The Fiddle River serves fresh seafood and pasta dishes, while Papa George’s Restaurant (Astoria Hotel) is casual and comfy and has Alberta steaks, buffalo, fresh trout and salmon, as well as burgers.
There are also plenty of ethnic cuisines to sample-including Japanese sushi, Cantonese, Ukrainian, Italian and Spanish-despite being such a remote town.
Other Activities in Jasper
Jasper is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most pristine and protected environments in the world.
There is no shortage of adventure activities including skating, fishing for big northern pike, ice climbing and walking through a palace of ice at Maligne Canyon. Dogsled rides, Snowmobiling, at least five different cross-country skiing tours and wildlife tours are also available.
Recommended is a half-day railroad tour over Yellowhead Pass and along the Fraser River to Dunston. You stop by Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, and the ghost town of Lucerne.
Indoors, most hotels offer swimming pools, hot tubs and steam rooms. As for shopping, there is the usual selection of stores, and local galleries sell Canadian Indian and Inuit art and crafts.