Jasper

Current news for Jasper

Jasper, Alberta, Canada,  (see a map of Alberta) a beautiful town in the  Jasper National Park.
The architecture in the town reflects the building materials that were available to the original settlers of the area. Meaning, a lot of stone and timbers and the occasional totem pole.

Be sure to see the Jasper National Park page which covers the entire park and not just the town of Jasper.

For fun reading try "On Mountain Top Rock" relates to life in Jasper in the late 50s.

Some history: The first recorded visit to the Athabasca Valley was by surveyor David Thompson in 1810. The North West Company ( a fur trading company) built a supply depot on Brule Lake in 1813,  which later became known as Jasper House. The name "Jasper"  was derived from Jasper Hawes, a clerk with North West Company who was stationed there. The general area became known as Jasper and became Jasper Forest Park in 1907 with an area of 13,00 sq kilometers.

In 1911 the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway had reached Fitzhugh (now Jasper) Station and in 1928 the road between Edmonton, Alberta's Capitol and Jasper opened. This road is now known as Highway 16 and is part of the Yellowknife highway system. In 1930, Jasper Forest Park was officially established as a Jasper National Park. 

The town of Jasper is the hub for all of the activities and points of interest in the Park. Many of the 3 million visitors that pass through the park each year, will stop and stroll the streets of the town and gaze in awe at the majestic rocky mountains that surrounds it on all sides.  There is no such thing as a poor view as long as you are looking at the natural scenery. It's breathtaking. Don't be surprised if you see elk or deer wandering around. This seems a little less common now that the "Do Not Feed Rule" is enforced, but there was a time when humans and wildlife co-mingled on the front lawns of the local hotels and the parking lot of the railway station.

How to get there:

By Vehicle

Take highway 16 (Yellowknife Highway) West from the Edmonton region  or East from British Columbia or you can take the Icefields Parkway,  North from the Trans Canada Highway which runs through the Banff National Park..

By Air

There is a small community airstrip just outside of town suitable for light aircraft. You will need to arrange for transportation into town.

By Rail

The Canadian Nation railway stops in Jasper and is a great way to see the scenery without having to drive.

By Bus

 Greyhound bus service runs into Jasper from just about any point of origin.

Various tour buses travel to Jasper from Banff along the Icefields Parkway and other points in Canada.

Some other sites that covers this location:

Jasper's Chamber of Commerce  -  Find accommodations 

http://www.jasper-alberta.com/    -   http://www.visit-jasper.com/home1.html  -  http://www.skimarmot.com/

http://www.jaspertramway.com/

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