Jasper

Jasper, Alberta, is Banff's quieter, more wilderness-focused counterpart at the northern end of the Icefields Parkway — a smaller, less commercialised town in Jasper National Park surrounded by glacier-fed lakes, dramatic mountains and some of Canada's best opportunities for large wildlife encounters. It was designated a UNESCO Dark Sky Preserve in 2011, the largest in the world. Maligne Lake, 50km from town, is one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the world — a long glacial lake backed by peaks with the famous Spirit Island (accessible only by boat) as its photographic focal point. Pyramid Lake and Patricia Lake are excellent and far closer to town. The Jasper Sky Tram (to 2,277m) gives exceptional panoramic views. Athabasca Falls, where the Athabasca River plunges through a narrow limestone gorge, is spectacular. Wildlife encounters around Jasper are frequent and extraordinary: elk walk through town at dawn and dusk, caribou roam the Athabasca Valley, black bears and occasionally grizzlies appear along the roadsides, bighorn sheep pose on cliff faces. The Miette Hot Springs, the hottest naturally occurring springs in the Canadian Rockies, are 60km from town and excellent. Astronomy viewing from the dark sky preserve is exceptional in winter. The drive from Jasper north to the Yellowhead Pass and British Columbia is beautiful. Jasper feels more authentic and less resort-commercial than Banff.