A Scenic Journey from Vancouver to Jasper: Embrace the Majestic Canadian Wilderness

Setting Off on the Train Adventure

Goodbye Vancouver....hello Rockies. Our adventure into the Rockies began with a short leg on the Canadian train. Me and Matthew in a cabin and Liz in a sleeper bunk. As we woke in the morning and looked out it was really nice to see a blanket of snow all around.

Cold and Crisp Jasper Awaits

Arriving in Jasper, you'll be greeted by brisk, cold air that instantly invigorates you. Time for those thermals, hats and gloves. This small town is surrounded by some of the most stunning natural beauty that Canada has to offer.

Our Stay at The Crimson

When arriving at the Crimson it was really nice of them to upgrade me and Matthew to the Signal Suite - a massive room with fireplace, settee, full dining table and full kitchen. Also, two balconies but too cold to sit out and take advantage of them. The receptionist gave lots of info and advised to borrow bear spray if we went on a trail walk - despite the first snow, they may not have hibernated yet as to the locals this was the first small snow fall. Only issue was at 2am the smoke detector started bleeping, I'm guessing the battery was running out but when we opened it we couldn't see a battery. We called reception who sent someone up in 2 minutes but as they were short, Matthew had to open it again and was then told to pull the wires out! Luckily he wasn't electrocuted as then I may have had to get out of bed!

Exploring Jasper

Jasper itself it still recovering from the devastating summer fire and this is very evident to see. Lots of places are still closed and lots of activities are cancelled until next year. It was touch and go on whether we were still going to come but being here its also clear they do want people back to help the local economy.

The Morning Tour with Sundog

Kick off your day with a morning tour led by Sundog Tours. We were the only ones on the tour so we got a really good tour. Experience the magic of Jasper as you learn about its rich history and local wildlife and Jack our guide took us to areas around the town affected by the fire. .This informal tour will give you insight into how fire regenerates the forest and he talked about this story about the events as they unfolded. How quickly it went from a normal fire that very quickly escalated to a live saving evacuation process. He took us to lots of spots with amazing views and he was excellent at spotting the local wildlife - moose, elk, sheep, hawk owl. The car cleaning sheep were the best, especially as the driver had to nervously get out of his car to get the sheep to move so he could reverse.

A Day of Remembrance: Fire Devastation

The following morning, we decided to take a trail around town so down to reception we went for the bear spray. Oh no, none left for us to borrow but we were assured we would be fine. As you wander you see close up the areas affected by recent fire devastation. Its hard to imagine how one place can burn and the next house in the row be totally unaffected. Homeowners on some plots had placed pictures of the house before the fire and at some they had put stuff together unaffected - for example, a house totally ruined and daft things like an egg cup survived. Nature's resiliency is a testament to its power, and witnessing both beauty and destruction is a poignant reminder of the environment's ever-changing landscape. It’s a humbling experience that adds depth to your visit, encouraging environmental appreciation.

A Toast to Adventure: Alcohol Flush

Finally, after a long day, it's time to unwind. I don't know if its to cold air or the Rocky Mountain water in the beer but while in Jasper I have developed an alcohol flush. One beer and my face and neck had turned bright red - need to keep an eye on this or use it as an excuse to just drink gin. Matthew suggested I just don't drink...what a daft idea.

Jasper has been a great place not sure if it's as we are between seasons or an effect of the fire that is is so quiet. But the open space, friendly people and clean air is fantastic.