If you’ve looked at the prices for staying at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, you know this is an exclusive resort hotel.
Since its early days in the 1920s, the lodge has catered to an upper-class demographic.
So it goes.
A page from a 1948 Jasper National Park brochure (which I’ve referred to previously here) has a page showing the rates for Jasper Park Lodge back in the day.
Jasper Park Lodge single and double rooms for $10, $20 and under $30 a day. Imagine that.
Canadian National's Jasper National Park 1948 brochure cover
Take a look at this interactive picture of the prices for Jasper Park Lodge in 1948. You can zoom up and move around. You’ll notice the rooms included the “American Plan” back then (meaning that the meals were included, full board).
Even back in 1948, some of the fancier cabins seemed quite exclusively priced. Various sources say that back in 1948, the average new car cost between $1,000 and $1,500, and gasoline was 20 cents per gallon range.
Don’t get me wrong, it is a nice facility once you add-in the location, the lake (Lac Beauvert), the heated swimming pool, next-door golf course and such. But it is out of most people’s price range.
For us mortals, there are plenty of hotels in Jasper National Park to chose from. For those who prefer a real outdoor experience, Jasper has lots of camping and RVing options too.
And if you cannot stay at Jasper Park Lodge, at least think about having a meal there. The lodge has several dining options, from quick and easy to fancy and sophisticated.
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge holds an iconic status amongst hotels in Jasper National Park. This upscale resort hotel has been an institution since the early days.
Starting with 8 cabins in 1922, the resort’s expansion over the years means it can today claim 446 rooms, an award winning world-class golf course, and a whole lot of activities and amenities on the grounds. I think the location (on Lac Beauvert) and facilities are why the prices are so high. If you click the link above to see the reviews, a lot of people like the Lodge, but some complain it is overpriced.
During the summer, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is the park’s most expensive hotel. During winter ski season, you can enjoy Jasper’s most exclusive hotel at much lower rates – and take a free shuttle to Marmot Basin Ski Area to boot.
If Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge doesn’t fit into your travel budget (as it doesn’t mine), there are plenty of other Jasper National Park hotels to chose from. Nearby Hinton, Alberta, a short drive from the eastern border of Jasper also has several hotels at reasonable prices.
A promotional magazine from 1948 will give some clues.
A page from a 1948 Jasper National Park promotional magazine put out by the Canadian National railways suggests all sorts of clothing options, which are still valid today even though trends change.
The magazine centers around the Jasper Park Lodge (now the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge), which at the time, was a property owned by Canadian National Railways.
Canadian National's Jasper National Park 1948 brochure cover
The “What to Wear” page covers what to wear “At the Lodge” (meaning the Jasper Park Lodge), explaining:
“Let your taste be your guide. Wear what you like, but you’ll find sports and lounging clothes best for relaxation.”
Use the zoom tool below to zoom in and see the details.
It also gives suggestions for motoring (driving a car), riding (horseback riding), golf, day time wear and evening wear.
The suggestion for what to wear during the day time seems to say it all:
“…depends on the weather and what you’re doing. Suit yourself….Just be comfortable.”
My advice: bring layers. During summer, mid-afternoon at a low altitude may be warm enough for short-sleeves and even shorts on some days. Most of the time, something warmer will be more comfortable. As the magazine page says for evening wear, “come prepared for cool mountain evenings.”
Visiting Edmonton and thinking about a day trip? Jasper National Park is a long 3+ hour drive but doable (and worth it!).
Coming into Jasper National Park on Highway 16 through the eastern entrance, you’ll have time for several fun activities.
The first stop could be for a soak at Miette Hot Springs, 51 km west of Hinton, Alberta.
Consider some hiking too. The eastern side of the park has several hiking trails good for day hikes. Even a short 30 minute walk might be nice after all of the driving.
On the way from Edmonton to Jasper, you may want to stop at Hinton to pick up some food for a picnic lunch.
After a stop in Jasper townsite, consider a quick drive up to Pyramid Lake and Patricia Lake or to nearby Lac Beauvert and the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Plan to have an early dinner in Jasper townsite before heading back to Edmonton.
Another option is to skip most of the above and instead spend the day on Maligne Road doing the Maligne Canyon Hike and enjoying Maligne Lake activities (like the boat ride or renting a canoe).
Whatever your itinerary, keep a look out for wildlife the whole time. You never know when you’ll spot elk, caribou, deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats or a black bear. You have a good chance to spot at least one kind of animal (other than humans) during a day trip from Edmonton to Jasper National Park.
This is a trip that can be done anytime of year. A nice post about a wintertime day trip from Edmonton to Jasper here from J on her East of Enid Avenue blog should be plenty of motivation. J’s pictures show an almost unreal world, a true winter wonderland.
Some tips:
Get up extra early
Drink lots of coffee
Take turns driving if you have multiple drivers so everyone can enjoy the scenery
Relax
Have a great day trip to Jasper National Park!
By the way, instead of a day trip from Edmonton, another option is to do all of the above but spend the night in a hotel in Hinton, Alberta. Hinton is close to the eastern entrance and staying there will allow for 2 days of activities.
With many Jasper National Park visitors landing in Edmonton International Airport, talking about West Edmonton Mall makes a lot of sense. After a long flight, walking around West Edmonton Mall for a few hours is a good way to unwind.
And this is no ordinary mall.
It’s the largest mall in North America and was the largest in the world until 2004 (now the 5th largest in the world)!
It is so big, you almost need to plan your itinerary for what to do in the mall before you arrive. Don’t worry, you can get a brochure with a map at the entrance. That’s what 800 stores does to you.
West Edmonton Mall Map
West Edmonton Mall even has a few theme areas. I thought the Chinatown area was pretty cool. It is a collection of a handful of shops in its own wing. For a moment, you feel like you’re in another world. Then you exit Chinatown back into the main mall and again realize you ARE in another world. Then, head to the Bourbon Street and Europe Boulevard theme areas for something entirely different.
And then there’s the indoor attractions: ice skating, amusement park, waterpark, minigolf, and a whole lot more. But that’s another story for another time.
After all of the walking around the mall, you need a treat. The list of dessert places in West Edmonton Mall is seemingly endless.
A Piece of Cake
B Sweet
Baskin Robbins
Cinnamons
Cinnzeo
Cookies By George
Cosmo’s Snacks
Dream Tea House
Galaxy Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt
Galaxy Treats
Gelati Napoli
Kernels
Maple Sugar Shack, The
Purdy’s Chocolates
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Second Cup
Starbucks Coffee Company
Tea Art
Tim Hortons
Yogen Früz
Yogi’s Yogurt
And if you find this place so amazing that you want to spend the night, there are 2 hotels on-site: Fantasyland Hotel and West Edmonton Mall Inn.
Astoria Hotel is a 35-room hotel conveniently located on 404 Connaught Drive, the main road in Jasper townsite,…a little hotel in the little town within the big Jasper National Park.
Besides the location, Astoria Hotel offers the convenience and delight of Papa George’s restaurant and the fun of the uncommonly named De’d Dog Bar and Grill on the premises.
While Astoria Hotel gets mixed reviews, I think it has to do with expectations. I think it is mostly because of the cost and the small size of the rooms.
If you are looking to spend all day in your hotel room, this is not the best place to do it. If you just want a basic place to stay after a day of Jasper National Park adventures, Astoria Hotel is plenty suitable – and a lot more comfortable than camping.
With the limited number of hotels within Jasper, the prices creep up. During the peak summer months, Astoria Hotel is a lot of money for what it is, but less than many other Jasper hotels. You’re paying for convenience.
If you’ve ever stayed in New York City, you know that supply and demand do a lot to hotel prices and that old buildings often mean small rooms. That’s what is going on in Jasper and at this and other hotels in the park. It is what it is. Personally, I don’t want to see any more hotels in the park because it would mean too many people would visit and make it crowded.
After a long day of hiking and sightseeing, you’ll surely be thankful to have a cozy bed to sleep in. I’ve stayed in plenty of charming hotels and I find them refreshing compared to the big hotel chains, but that’s just me.
See prices for Astoria Hotel here. Staying in hotels in Jasper National Park can be pricey during the peak summer season regardless of the hotel. Compare Jasper National Park hotel prices to find the best deal. Then again, there are other ways to get your trips hotel costs down, such as spending a night in a hotel in Hinton, Alberta, past the eastern entrance to Jasper National Park.
If you plan to visit Jasper National Park during summer, you must be thinking about hiking. Short hikes, long day hikes, and overnight backpacking trips abound in Jasper, Banff, Mt Robson and the other regional parks of the Canadian Rockies.
To get the most out of hiking, pre-vacation hiking preparation goes a long way to increasing your enjoyment.
If you’re thinking about hiking, I encourage you to try to do step up your training at home as far before vacation as you can. By preparing for hiking ahead of time, you can build up your endurance and your muscles. You can use training to avoid being completely exhausted after a short hike and to avoid injuries or dangerous situations on long backpacking trips.
Skyline Trail in Jasper
Training for hiking is easy. Just walk. One foot in front of the other.
Practice walking short distances to build up your endurance for longer trails. Start with short distances around the neighborhood or at a mall or on the treadmill at the gym. Envision the Discovery Trail around Jasper or the Maligne Canyon trail on the way to Maligne Lake or Wilcox Pass near the icefields. Then progress to longer distances. By the time you visit Jasper, you’re in top form and ready for all the Canadian Rockies have to offer.
I’d suggest writing your training down on a calender, whether you’re walking around the neighborhood or using the treadmill at the gym. Seeing it written on a calendar can be motivating.
When you train for hiking at home, remember that you’ll be wearing a backpack in while hiking in Jasper. If you have a chance while training, try to wear a backpack with a weight similar to what you’d expect to carry in the Canadian Rockies.
If you need motivation, here’s a video from YouTube of scenes from the Skyline Trail. You DO NOT want to have to turn around because you are tired on a trail like this in Jasper and Banff.
For longer backpacking trips where you may hike 6, 8 or 12 hours a day for several days in a row, obviously a different level of training is required and you’ll really need to work on endurance so you can avoid collapsing from exhausting half-way through!
Let’s talk skiing and snowboarding videos shot at Marmot Basin Ski Resort in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada, North America, Earth.
This first video is a Marmot Basin official promotional video. Well, it’s not really promotional…it just shows some good skiing and snowboarding action.
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