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Take a ride to the sky – Open in warmer months, Canada’s highest
aerial tram is the Jasper Tramway just outside town. A seven-minute
3,300 feet ride takes you to an altitude of 8,000 feet. A guide tells
the history of Jasper as you look out over spectacular scenery. Take advantage of the cafeteria or viewing restaurant (very
reasonable menu) at the top, and the knock-out view of six mountain ranges.
Look for Mt. Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. The summit
is well laid out with guard rails, but if you want to see more,
follow hiking trails starting at the summit (you may have to share paths
with bighorn sheep.) Ask about Canada Parks guided interpretive hikes
(fee). |
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Ride the ice – If the river outside of Jasper seems
a little odd, well, maybe it's the first time you've seen a river flowing
north (to the Arctic Ocean)! The Athabasca River gets its waters
from the ice fields so in the spring it's cloudy white with icy chunks and
late in the summer it's crystal clear. Try floating up the river in a 20-person raft that even a kindergartner old can handle (the Athabasca
has only gentle "rapids.") You'll drift past wide open spaces
and see anything from wild deer and bears to soaring eagles. A great way
to see the land without worrying about how far short legs can go. Older
kids may prefer rougher rides in smaller 6 person rafts. |
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Maligne
Lake – Malign Lake is about half an hour south of the Jasper town. Start at the
Maligne Lake Lodge, overlooking the lake, where you can relax on the deck
with a drink or a meal and plan out your next adventure: |
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 Take
a hike – Ask for trail maps at the Tourism Office in Jasper, or sign
up for any one of a half-dozen guided interpretive hikes. Choices range
from an hour long hike that will teach you about local flora and fauna to
four-hour treks (lunch included) for heartier souls. |
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Grab
a paddle – Find your way to the Curly Philips Boathouse on Maligne
Lake (a historic building) and choose between canoes for smaller kids or
kayaks for bigger kids. Just in case you don't want to worry about drifting
too far on those icy blue waters, you can also rent boats with "trolling
motors." |
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Go
fishing – Want to make 'em work for their dinner? Rent fishing rods
and buy bait at the boathouse. |
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Saddle
up – In warmer months, join one of the morning or afternoon trail rides
that head out from the Maligne Lake Lodge to the top of the Bald Hills.
Since the rides are from three to four hours long, this is best for older
kids, who will also appreciate more the wildflower covered meadows
and views of ice-capped mountains along the way. |
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Tip: Want to ride the train? If you can forego a car, then this is the
time and way to do it, on the world-famous Rocky Mountaineer. The
ride between Jasper, Alberta and Kamloops, British Columbia has been called
the world's most spectacular train trip. |
