This year is the perfect opportunity to slow down and appreciate Jasper’s beauty without distraction.
While Jasper’s landscapes may have changed in some places after the 2024 wildfires, their breathtaking beauty remains timeless. Many areas have reopened in 2025, welcoming visitors back after briefly closing at the end of 2024.
Whether you want to explore scenic mountain trails, spot wildlife in its natural habitat, or relax with a lakeside picnic, nothing is holding you back. Jasper is waiting.
Here are ten reasons why now is the perfect time to book your adventure onboard Rocky Mountaineer and visit Jasper this year.
Peaceful moments can be found anywhere in Jasper. Photo Credit: Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Slow Down and Truly Enjoy the Moment
In Jasper, there’s no reason to rush. Whether it’s canoeing leisurely on Maligne Lake, watching the sun set behind towering peaks, or spending an unhurried evening by a fire, every experience is meant to be savoured. This is a place where moments are meant to be lived, not rushed.
Amidst the stillness of the mountains and the vastness of the wilderness, Jasper is the perfect escape from a world that never stops moving.
Wildlife abounds in Jasper. Photo Credit: Mike Gilling
See Wildlife Up Close in Their Natural Habitat
When did you last see a fox, bear, or wolf? If you love wildlife photography or haven’t seen animals in their natural habitat for a while, Jasper offers incredible opportunities to spot them. Though wildlife sightings aren’t guaranteed, the chances in Jasper National Park are better than most places.
Jasper’s vast wilderness is full of moose, bighorn sheep, and more. A guided wildlife or ecology tour is well worth trying, as experts know the best places and times to visit, which increases your chances of spotting animals in their natural habitat while ensuring a safe and unforgettable experience.
Experiencing wildlife in Jasper offers a window into a thriving ecosystem. Every creature, from the smallest bird to the mightiest elk, plays a vital role in maintaining the balance. It’s a powerful reminder of how interconnected life truly is.
Gaze upon gorgeous scenery through panoramic windows onboard Rocky Mountaineer's glass-dome coaches.
Take One of the Most Scenic Rail Journeys in the World
Make your journey as unforgettable as the destination itself onboard Rocky Mountaineer. Our Journey through the Clouds and Rainforest to Gold Rush rail routes will immerse you in a slow and scenic travel experience, allowing you to take in the landscapes at a luxurious pace.
These rail routes offer exclusive views that are only accessible from Rocky Mountaineer. We purposely slow down so you can fully absorb the magnificence of Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies, and Pyramid Falls, which is inaccessible by vehicle.
Slow travel is about seeing, feeling and connecting more deeply. Onboard Rocky Mountaineer, every moment is a golden opportunity to take in details like the shifting light on the mountains or the quiet beauty of a river carving through a canyon.
As the world rushes by, Rocky Mountaineer offers a rare chance to connect with yourself and your fellow guests over a shared sense of wonder. Sip a perfectly brewed coffee or tea as the morning mist lifts from the valleys, or swap stories with new friends over wine while golden-hour light bathes the peaks. Unhurried and enriching, this is travel that allows you to take it all in.
If you choose GoldLeaf Service, you’ll revel in panoramic views from our glass-dome coaches and connect with the surrounding terrain from the outdoor viewing platform. Our Hosts add texture to the experience, sharing stories and giving you all the details about what you’re looking at so you won’t miss anything.
Rocky Mountaineer offers views that stay with you and moments you'll cherish long after the journey ends.
See the Night Sky Unlike Ever Before
Looking at the stars in Jasper will remind you that some of life’s most incredible moments happen when we stop and take it all in. Jasper National Park is the world’s second-largest Dark Sky Preserve, offering an unparalleled stargazing experience.
See thousands of stars shining with crystal clarity, the Milky Way stretching endlessly above, and if you’re lucky, the aurora painting the sky in vibrant waves of green, purple and red. This all-natural display of wonder is best seen from Pyramid Lake and Pyramid Island, Old Fort Point, and Lake Annette on a crisp, clear night from fall to early spring. The longer evenings at this time of year provide the perfect backdrop for nature’s most mesmerising light show.
For a more informative stargazing experience, try a Jasper Planetarium tour. Expert guides bring the night sky to life with powerful telescopes, storytelling, and up-close views of distant galaxies.
Feel a Genuine Sense of Awe at Every Turn
If there’s one thing we should all feel more regularly, it’s awe. From Maligne Lake’s Spirit Island to the thundering Athabasca Falls and the Columbia Icefield, Jasper is home to some of Canada's most photographed and awe-inspiring landscapes.
If you’re unsure what to see or where to start, we have a curated selection of sightseeing activities and tours you can add before, during, or after your time onboard Rocky Mountaineer.
Indulge in some truly delicious cuisine. Photo Credit: Pursuit
Indulge in Alberta’s Finest Flavours
Imagine sitting at Aalto, gazing out over the glass-like surface of Pyramid Lake, where the mountains cast perfect reflections in the still water as the sun dips behind the peaks. In front of you is a beautifully prepared Alberta beef dish paired with a smooth Canadian wine.
You take a deep breath, letting the moment settle in—just good food, great company, and Jasper’s quiet magic unfolding.
This same appreciation for place and flavour defines Rocky Mountaineer’s culinary experience, which features locally sourced dishes inspired by the landscapes we travel through.
Go on guided Indigenous experiences such as those offered by Warrior Women. Photo Credit: Tourism Jasper
Cultivate an Authentic Connection to the Original Cultures of the Land
Jasper National Park is on Treaty 6 and 8, the traditional lands of the Anishinabe, Aseniwuche Winewak, Dene-zaa, Nêhiyawak, Secwépemc, Stoney Nakoda, Mountain Métis and Métis peoples.
Guided Indigenous experiences, such as those offered by Warrior Women and Jasper Tour Company, provide an engaging and meaningful opportunity to listen, learn, and create authentic connections with the cultures that have stewarded these lands for generations.
Through storytelling, music, and guided walks, these experiences help guests gain a deeper understanding of the Indigenous voices, stories, and traditions that have shaped and continue to shape Jasper.
Explore downtown Jasper. Photo Credit: Rocky Mountaineer
Experience the Warmth of Small-Town Hospitality
Beyond the landscapes, Jasper’s charm is its people and welcoming small-town spirit. Cozy cafés, historic lodges, and family-run businesses offer warm hospitality, with many reopening their doors to welcome visitors back. Boutique shops and artisan markets are filled with handcrafted jewellery, fine art, and one-of-a-kind souvenirs, so you can bring a piece of Jasper home.
Small-town Jasper presents a unique opportunity to wander and linger.
Take a soothing walk along the shoreline of picturesque Patricia Lake. Photo Credit: Tourism Jasper
Move at Your Own Pace
There are so many wide-open trails and day hikes in and around Jasper, ready to explore.
If you visit in the summer and have the energy and endurance, plan to hike the Sulphur Skyline. It’s an incredibly popular and worthwhile trek because it ends at the Miette Hot Springs.
If you’re looking for more accessible walking paths, cross the bridge, stop to snap a photo of Pyramid Mountain, and walk around Pyramid Lake Island. You can always head to the nearby Lake Annette loop or take a stroll around Patricia Lake where you can meander along pristine shores.
While hiking in Jasper, please respect any trail closures and refrain from photographing the limited damage you may encounter. Before going to a trailhead, check this list of open trails in Jasper National Park. No matter where you walk or hike, time in nature is like a “balm for our busy brains.” It has a way of making us feel more refreshed, inspired and connected.
Because Now Is The Time
Whether you’re planning a dream adventure or a return to a place you love, this is the year to experience Jasper at its most serene and create memories that will last forever.
Are You Ready to Discover Jasper?
Make 2025 your year to experience the magic and wonder of Jasper for yourself. Click here to explore our carefully curated packages and book your journey of discovery.
Save up to @price1 per couple on select Journey through the Clouds and Rainforest to Gold Rush packages.
