Banff National Park. Lake Louise. Mt Robson Provincial Park.  Kootenay National Park.  Yoho National Park. Calgary. Edmonton. Hinton.

Wherever your Canadian Rockies vacation brings, there’s a lot of driving.  Do yourself a favor and plan to take it easy, take it slow and drive safe.

Reasons:

• You and your passengers’ safety
• The safety of others: hikers, bikers and pedestrians walking where you least expect it.
• Wildlife safety: the bighorn sheep, elk, bears and their friends cross the roads a lot and have the right of way
• Other drivers who unexpectedly stop for wildlife and roadside lookout turn-offs – or just to take in the amazing scenery
• Lastly, if you drive too fast, law enforcement will be giving out tickets

Look for the fun animal signs with the posted speed limits.

Keep it safe and have fun in the Canadian Rockies!!

Related posts:

1. 9 Tips for Driving in Jasper National Park for you and the environment
2. Training for hiking in Jasper National Park and the Canadian Rockies
3. On the Lookout for Animal Jams

For those planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies with a stop in Edmonton, the West Edmonton Mall waterpark is a perfect way to unwind after a long plane ride or drive.  A visit the amazing 15-acre indoor waterpark at West Edmonton Mall offers hours of fun any time of the year.

Click here to view the embedded video.

To take a rest from it all, there are pools and hot tubs for relaxing.   Spend time in the Blue Thunder Wave Pool – the largest indoor wave pool in the world.

For the more adventurous, the West Edmonton Mall World Waterpark has 17 waterslides and rides – from beginner level to extreme.  The waterpark even has an indoor bungee jump, the largest of its kind in the world.

For waterpark is easy to get to.  Just go to West Edmonton Mall and try to park on the 87th Avenue side near on the west side near 178th St NW.  The waterpark is hard to miss.

View Larger Map

Related posts:

1. GalaxyLand Amusement Park in West Edmonton Mall – Jasper National Park Sidetrips
2. Go to West Edmonton Mall to get the shopping out of your system before visiting Jasper National Park
3. Day trip from Edmonton to Jasper National Park

And within West Edmonton Mall is something unexpected:  an indoor amusement park called GalaxyLand.

GalaxyLand is the world’s largest indoor amusement park.

You don’t have to go on any rides or pay admission to walk through the amusement park. I found myself staring at the roller coaster, wondering how they crammed such a big ride into a small space. I didn’t dare ride it, but it looked like riders were having fun.

The Mind Bender Roller Coast is a triple loop roller coast, and the world’s largest indoor triple loop roller coaster to boot.

Here’s what it looks like from afar:

Click here to view the embedded video.

And here’s a good helmet cam video from a front-row vantage point.  It really gives an idea about what the ride is all about.

Click here to view the embedded video.

GalaxyLand is no one-hit-wonder with the roller coaster.  If the Mindbender Roller Coaster looks to be too much for you, try the Galaxy Orbiter, a smaller roller coaster that spins as it reaches a top speed of 30 MPH.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

GalaxyLand has a bunch of indoor rides that make the big North America outdoor amusement parks jealous.   The GalaxyLand Cosmic Spinner is another fun ride.

Click here to view the embedded video.

And then there’s the GalaxyLand Solar Flare which spins around like a ferris wheel, but a whole lot better.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Or, shoot straight into the air with the Space Shot.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The amusement park has plenty of easier rides and kiddie rides to keep everyone happy.

If you had any doubt, yes, GalaxyLand does have a carousel.

Did I mention this is all inside of a mall? How’s that for a Jasper National Park sidetrip?

Related posts:

1. West Edmonton Mall indoor waterpark – fun any time of year
2. Go to West Edmonton Mall to get the shopping out of your system before visiting Jasper National Park
3. Day trip from Edmonton to Jasper National Park

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.

Related posts:

1. West Edmonton Mall indoor waterpark – fun any time of year
2. Jasper National Park Hotel Alternative: 3 Hinton Hotels for $100 a night or less in summer
3. Take the bus from Edmonton to Marmot Basin in the winter

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.

Check out the West Edmonton Mall website.

After all of this shopping within the mall, the contrast of visiting Jasper National Park afterward is  greatly intensified.

Related posts:

1. West Edmonton Mall indoor waterpark – fun any time of year
2. GalaxyLand Amusement Park in West Edmonton Mall – Jasper National Park Sidetrips
3. Day trip from Edmonton to Jasper National Park

This guide will look at some of the options for those travelers being dropped off at the train station and who only have a short time to spend in Jasper National Park.

Within walking distance of the Jasper Train Station

The Jasper train station has a great location for exploring Jasper townsite by foot.  The Jasper train station is on Connaught Drive in the midst of the Jasper townsite action.

If walking around Jasper after being dropped off at the train station, be sure to take a look at the old Jasper Information Centre on Connaught Drive.  You’ll also want to walk on Connaught Drive and Patricia Street a little and explore the side streets.  Shopping, restaurants, several hotels and a few guided tour offices are in walking distance of the train station too.

If you want, you can rent a bicycle from a few bike shops in town.   For a slower pace, take a stroll through the Jasper museum.

Want to see a little nature?  Take a hike on the Discovery Trail, an easy new hiking trail that wraps around the perimeter of the Jasper townsite.  It’s a great way to experience nature hands-on after taking a train to Jasper National Park.

Side trips from the Jasper Train Station

Though you can have a good time within walking distance of the train station, also consider the various guided tours arranged on your own or as part of a train travel package.  You’ll need either a tour’s transportation or a rental car to get out to the main Jasper National Park attractions, like Maligne Lake, the Jasper Tramway or the Athabasca Glacier.

Maligne Lake Side trip

Maligne Lake is a fun and wonderfully scenic place worthy of a day-trip excursion from the Jasper train station if you have the time.  There are a few ways to get there including a daily shuttle.

Jasper Tramway Side trip

The Jasper Tramway is also very close but requires some form of transportation from the Jasper train station to the tramway.  The Jasper Tramway carries you to the top of the world, high up Whistler’s Mountain where you can see the surrounding Canadian Rockies.  It is a neat experience and a nice contrast to riding in a train.

Other side trips

Miette Hot Springs is the place to go to lounge and soak in the water.  The springs have several recently updated pools of varying temperatures.

For something unique, take a look into white water rafting in Jasper National Park. There are guided white water rafting tours on very mild rivers suitable for all ages.

Renting a car from Jasper train station

After riding in a train all day, you may want the freedom to go at your own pace and see what you want in Jasper.  If so, rent a car.  Both National and Hertz have offices inside the Jasper train station.  Avis and Budget car rentals are in town within walking distance.  Be aware that renting a car last minute in Jasper may leave you disappointed.  Make a reservation as far in advance as you can because supply is sometimes be limited.

Outside Jasper Train Station

Outside the train station, take a look at the Canadian National 6015 steam train on display.  The train was made in 1923 and now resides in Jasper.

Inside Jasper Train Station

The small, cozy train station is nicely kept. You’ll find an information desk, car rentals and other facilities in the building.

From what I gather of his itinerary, Frommer didn’t get to Jasper, but I’m sure he would have enjoyed it as much as Banff.   Though Jasper and Banff border each other, both places have unique characteristics and histories.

Frommer knows a lot about travel.   Knowing that Arthur Frommer has traveled all over the world and has spent over 50 years writing about it, his statement about Banff’s Lake Louise has a lot of credentials behind it:  “It would be hard to cite a single scene in all the world comparable to Lake Louise.”

True, Lake Louise is amazing.  I think Maligne Lake in Jasper is another of the world’s unique scenes.

Lake Louise, Banff, Canadian Rockies

Maligne Lake, Jasper, Canadian Rockies

I was fortunate to see Arthur Frommer and daughter Pauline Frommer in person earlier this year at the New York Times Travel Show 2008 travel exposition in New York City.  He provided more travel tips during a presentation about budget travel.

I’ll share one tip he provided that seems to especially relate to visiting Jasper National Park and the Canadian Rockies.  Frommer’s tip: “Travel brings to you only what you bring to it.”   He goes on to encourage travelers to read up on a destination to better understand about how the place came to be.

I agree.  Imagine visiting Jasper National Park without reading up on it.  It would seem a spectacular park, yes, but reading about it ahead of time would provide a better appreciation of the park and make the Canadian Rockies experience more enjoyable.

To learn more about Jasper National Park ahead of time, explore this website.  Jasper Journal helps travelers gain that understanding through several articles about Jasper National Park history.  Be sure to browse these articles prior to visiting Jasper and the Canadian Rockies.

Once in Jasper and exploring the townsite area, stop by the Jasper Yellowhead Museum to browse through the 1100 square foot permanent collection as well as special showcase collections. It doesn’t take long to peruse the museum and see its unique collection – including the ice pick used for the first ascention of Mount Alberta in 1925 and other artifacts.

Take a closer look. Put your mouse pointer over the postcard to zoom up on the detail.

Amongst the attractions is the Jasper Tramway and a golfer that appears near the area of the famous Jasper Park Lodge golf course. Jasper National Park is an important part in Alberta.

If you look close in the postcard, farms and farming equipment are pictured in various ways, representing farming’s importance to the people of Alberta. Several animals appear on the postcard: a moose, quail, elk, fish, a buffalo, horses and even a dinosaur (representing Dinosaur Provincial Park in Drumheller, Alberta).

That’s Alberta.

An ice skater skates.

Fishermen fish.

Campers camp.

A Skier skis.

That’s Alberta.

What the animal is on the right middle of the postcard? The animal is hugging a tree. A tree hugging bear?

That’s Alberta.

At the bottom left of the postcard is the Alberta flag symbol. The red/white cross at the top of the Alberta flag symbol is St George’s Cross (patron saint of England). Below that the Alberta landscape is represented by blue sky, mountains, green hills, river and prairies and finally, wheat covered plains.

That’s Alberta.

I have the nightmare a lot lately. My suitcase is about 8 years old. Part of the zipper looks like it is falling apart after years of rough handling.

You may be in your airplane on the way to Jasper National Park and look out on the runway at underwear blowing in the wind. If you see a pair of boxer shorts with black bear pictures on it, those are mine.

Really.

Question: How do you prevent losing your underwear when flying to Jasper, Alberta, Canada?

Answer: Shop around for the right luggage.

I’ve been to the Walmart’s, the Sears and the JC Penney’s and then to the fancier, upscale department stores like Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Lord and Taylor’s or similar looking for luggage. Walmart, to be fair, is not known for its quality. I prefer avoiding a cheap suitcase because of my nightmare – the zipper breaking and my underwear all over the floor in the airport.

Macy’s? Macy’s has nice luggage. But, if I spend $200, $300 or more on a designer suitcase at Macy’s, I won’t have money left over for that plane ticket to Edmonton or Calgary airport! Thanks, but no thanks.

I need to buy luggage from a store with selection. I want to buy an individual suitcase that meets my specific needs. And I’m sick of driving around store to store.

What’s the best place for luggage? None of the above.

I prefer to shop online at a luggage specialty store with a huge inventory and good prices. eBags.com fits the bill.

I’ve personally used eBags a few times in years past. I bought 2 backpacks. One is a smaller daypack for hiking and the other is a super-duper laptop computer backpack that I use daily. Both were names brands. The prices were the lowest – or at least the lowest I could find from a seller with a reputation. eBags has free shipping offers too.

Instead of a carry-on suitcase, I like to carry-on a large backpack. I’ll use the backpack while hiking in Jasper or bringing a picnic lunch to the Goats and Glaciers lookout point on the Icefield Parkway in Jasper.

eBags provides lots of product photos. This is handy. knowing what the inside of a backpack looks like is important. Most websites fail to take enough pictures. eBags shows you what you’re getting. You end up with the features you need – not something you’ll regret and return.

But I still need a new suitcase.

In their rolling luggage category, eBags currently lists 327 items – more than any department store, it seems. Almost half of those eBags suitcases are under $100 (USD).

The choices can be further refined by filtering by trip duration. 3 day trips show smaller suitcases and 7 day trips show big suitcases. Cool.

• Tip: Because Jasper National Park has cooler weather even in the summer, be prepared for packing some pants, jeans and long sleeve shirts alongside some shorts and short sleeve shirts.

For suitcases alone, the list of brands eBags carries is comprehensive:
• A. Saks
• American Tourister
• Bric’s
• Briggs & Riley
• Case Logic
• CIAO
• Claiborne Luggage
• Delsey
• Dockers Luggage
• Eagle Creek
• eBags
• Heys USA
• High Sierra
• International Traveller
• Johnston & Murphy
• Kenneth Cole Reaction Business and Luggage
• Olympia
• Osprey
• Pathfinder
• Pierre Cardin
• Ricardo Beverly Hills
• Rimowa
• Samsonite
• Skyway
• Titan Luggage
• Travelon
• Travelpro
• Tumi

The list of backpack brands is even longer! It is fun to look through all of the products and pictures. Once you find the perfect piece of luggage, it is time to order.

eBags provides several ways to pay and ships to Canada and the United States (and there’s a separate UK web store too):

• Regular Checkout – this is for US orders paid by Credit Card
• “Canadian Checkout” – this form is for Canadian residents who want to order from eBags.
• Paypal – which is easy and Ebay users certainly are familiar with it.
• Google Checkout – which I haven’t tried yet

Once the payment method is chosen, the rest of the checkout process is easy.

If you need to buy luggage for your trip to Jasper and you don’t want to lose your underwear, be sure to check out eBags.

Bonus tip: If you really want to do your homework, grab the suitcase model name from Ebags and do a Google search.  You may find it on Amazon or another online retailer for cheaper.

But when I’m in Jasper National Park, I’m “there”.  The need to hurry is gone.  I’m driving slow, enjoying at the mountain scenery, and keeping an eye out for wildlife.

Not so for some other Canadian Rockies visitors this past weekend.

The Canadian Press reports that 115 people were caught speeding on the stretch of the Highway 93 (Icefield Parkway) connecting Banff National Park and Jasper National Park.

Some speeders were reportedly going 60km/h (37mph) OVER the posted speed limit.  The posted speed limit is typically 70km/h (44mph) on park main roads and highways.

Yes, the Canadian National Park speed limits may seem slower in the parks than normal roads. But the authorities urge motorists to obey posted speed limits.

Besides the scenery, there are good reasons to drive slower in the Canadian Rockies parks.

Both Banff and Jasper National Park focus a lot of effort on environment and wildlife preservation. They also put a lot of effort in accommodating visitors and making it safe for everyone. Going fast in areas with frequent wildlife crossings is very hazardous to both yourself, fellow travelers and wildlife. So, the speed limits have been adjusted.

Tragically, vehicle collisions are one of the biggest causes of death for some wildlife species in Banff and Jasper National Parks. And too many travelers have made this vacation a permanent one due to careless driving. Don’t be that person.

US visitors should pay extra attention to the bighorn sheep.

Visitors to Canada from the United States need to be careful, especially those with cars purchased in the US. Throughout Canada, speed limit signs are posted in kilometers per hour (KPH). Car purchased in the US use miles per hour (MPH) on the speedometer and usually have KPH in small numbers below. I rented a car in Edmonton and it had the opposite: KPH in big numbers and MPH in small numbers.

That bighorn sheep speed limit sign that says “Maximum 70″ is referring to KPH. Remember, 70KPH is about 44 MPH.

Listen to the bighorn sheep.