If the forecast for tomorrow is for lots of rain, now is the time to make a reservation for afternoon tea at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

The Jasper Park Lodge is one of the landmarks of Jasper National Park from the early days. And the afternoon tea is one of the most memorable meals you’ll have – a perfect way to keep the rain from dampening your spirits.

The “afternoon tea” is a lot more than just gourmet tea.  It also includes tea sandwiches and even more dessert.

Afternoon Tea Dessert at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

The afternoon tea is served between 2pm and 4 pm.  Reservations are required at least an hour in advance but if you know it is going to rain, make a reservation as far ahead as possible.

Call the concierge at (780) 852-3301 or toll-free (866) 540-4454 to make a reservation for afternoon tea.

I recently wrote a full review of having afternoon tea at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge if you want to learn more.

This was my first time doing afternoon tea.  I’m now a fan.

The gourmet tea, the wide variety of tastes and textures of the food, the one-of-a-kind setting – it all makes for a enjoyable and memorable experience.  You won’t find troops of tourists here either, so I’d have to argue it is off-the-beaten-path too.

At the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge the tradition of afternoon tea starts with tea, then a tray of small sandwich foods and then a dessert tray.  All of it is prepared with the utmost attention to detail.

Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

The server provided a tea menu with a wide selection of teas.  The server can help with tea selection if you have questions.

Our menu had Earl Grey, Orange Pekoe, Assam Leaf, Margaret’s Hope Darjeeling, Lapsang Souchong, Kenmare Ceylon, Jasmine Butterfly #1, Kyoto Cherry Rose, Cascade Peppermint, Egyptian Chamomile, Kea Lani Orange Pineapple, and Berry Berry.

• Just avoid asking for coffee!! I’m not sure what would happen… but it could involve the room going silent and security personnel escorting you out of the building. I’m kidding, but that’s how serious they seem to be about tea here.

After a while, the tea arrives. The tea itself is loose tea served in a tea press to bring out the flavor.

After sipping on tea for a bit, the “sandwiches” arrive on a tray for two people to share.  Quail eggs, cucumber sandwich, smoked salmon, goat cheese and other delectable ingredients.  It is a unique set of foods.  That is part of the appeal.

Though the sandwiches may look small, it is a filling meal. Then comes dessert.  The dessert is a meal in itself!

Afternoon Tea Dessert at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

Skip lunch, skip dinner. All you need is afternoon tea at the Jasper Park Lodge. Look at it!…luckily it is a serving for two people to share.

I counted 7 different kinds of dessert items – everything I could ever want in a dessert and more.

Alas, the meal was finished and the bill arrived.

The price for everything seemed reasonable for this fancy of a meal.  Our tab for two was under $70 after taxes.

Explore the lodge and grounds after afternoon tea

Afternoon tea is a great way to enjoy the setting of the landmark Jasper Park Lodge hotel (originating in 1921) without having to stay there (this is an upscale accommodation out of most people’s price range).  The lodge has a lot of character.

Lac Beauvert boat rentals at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is on Lac Beauvert.  On a nice day, you can walk around Lac Beauvert or even rent a canoe or kayak and do some paddling to work off the calories.

Reservations required

Be sure to make a reservation for afternoon tea, which is served only between 2 and 4 PM daily.

• At one point, the Jasper Park Lodge’s website lacked info about the afternoon tea reservation requirement – which can cause confusion for those who have never done afternoon tea before and for those who see that reservations are not excepted for the Emerald Lounge.  I pointed this out to the concierge and it was promptly improved.  It goes to show that they listen to patrons.  Now, the website reads “Please note that reservations are required and at least one hours notice.”

I’d suggest calling for a reservation a day in advance during the peak months of July and August just to avoid disappointment.  The main number for the lodge is (780) 852-3301 or toll-free (866) 540-4454.

Even though we were not staying at the hotel, the concierge really seemed to go out of the way for us.  And the waitstaff service was good too.

My only complaint about Jasper Park Lodge is the tight parking lot for guests not staying in the hotel.  Give yourself extra time to park and walk to the lodge.  Or live it up and do valet service which is at the entrance of the main lodge building where tea is served.

All-in-all a good time.  I’d do afternoon tea again.

It might not be the best thing to bring kids to for a meal but it is perfect for a romantic meal.

I wonder if the chef changes the selection based on seasonal food availability.  Sounds like the perfect excuse to go back to find out.

While the Jasper Park Lodge gets props for being around since the early 1900s, the lodge benefits from the beauty of Lac Beauvert and the surrounding Canadian Rockies.

Lac Beauvert is a small lake at only 0.4km².  Even for Jasper visitors not staying at Jasper Park Lodge, a trip to the lodge for the scenery is worth it.  The lodge also has several dining options and the lake has a nice path along its edge. So, a dinner and a walk could make for a relaxing way to spend on evening after a day of Jasper National Park activities.

Lac Beauvert and the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge are a short drive from Jasper townsite and it shouldn’t take longer than 15 minutes from the townsite to the lodge’s parking lot.

Then the beauty of the lake awaits.

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.

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.”