| Canadian Rockies | SHOPPING, DINING, ENTERTAINMENT & MORE |
| Canadian Rockies | SHOPPING, DINING, ENTERTAINMENT & MORE |
Wabasso Campground (Easy skating and classic tracks; 4 km/2.5 mi total; dogs allowed) Many loops; try the riverside trail between loops B and D. Hwy 93, 17 km/10 mi S of town.
Meeting of the Waters to Moab Lake (Easy skating and classic tracks; 9 km/5.6 mi one way; dogs allowed) Park N end of closed Hwy 93A section, 20 km/12 mi S of town. Mounts Geraldine, Fryatt and Kerkeslin views; picnic by Whirlpool River.
Beaver and Summit Lakes (Intermediate classic track; 5 km/3.1 mi one way; dogs allowed). Park at Beaver Lake picnic area, Maligne Lake Rd 27 km/17 mi S of Hwy 16. Hilly, forested trail with Colin and Queen Elizabeth range views at Summit Lakes; 8 km/5 mi farther to Jacques Lake.
Jasper Information Centre (this winter at the train station) offers trail details and conditions.
The luxurious, 3.5-hour Rocky Mountain Rejuvenation ($345) at Mountain Wellness Day Spa is their most extravagant spa package. It features a relaxing honey, milk and lavender bath, aromatherapy massage with your choice of scent, spa facial, manicure and pedicure. Their skin care professional helps clients choose the best from Eminence, an organic, all-natural line of products imported from Hungary. — Mark Horejsi
All skis turn, but twin tips fly. With swept up tips front and back, tricksters take-off and land all kinds of jumps, even backwards ones. “Rent or buy a pair for maximum fun on the slope or terrain park,” suggests Freewheel's Chris Peel. — Mark Horejsi
You can go x-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice walking on your own, but Walks N Talks Jasper Paula Beauchamp notes that it's more rewarding with a guide:
• Guides go places you can’t find on your own—some are special areas that guides have personally discovered.
• Those on their own often miss or don't appreciate the significance of interesting sites. Guides are fountains of knowledge who point out and explain hidden treasures.
• Nature is more enjoyable when you’re not worrying about what’s lurking around the corner. Guides are aware of the surroundings, provide the right gear and make your comfort on the trail a priority. — Jack Newon
The rinks on Mildred Lake and Lac Beauvert at Faimont Jasper Park Lodge offer Zamboni smooth ice. But locals sometimes venture to a secluded and scenic beaver pond usually cleared of snow by wind. Take Hwy 16 east and turn left on Snaring River Campground Rd. Skates can be rented at the Lodge or in town. — Jack Wennot
Buy lift passes, lessons and ski rental vouchers at Marmot Basin Express Centre downtown ski desk, and avoid on-hill queues. — Jack Newton
Snowmobiling through powder snow is like carving turns while skiing or snowboarding. You must keep your balance, maintain your speed, and lean into turns. Tour Guides ease novice riders into it—soon they feel confident. Valemount snowmobile terrain includes meadows and bowls at 2150 m (7000 ft) where snow can be 3 m (10 ft) deep. Fresh snow over a packed based is especially fun. —Jack Wennot
Snowshoe with a guide through a serene valley where the icefall-studded north face of Mt Robson (3954 m/12,972 ft) looms overhead on this Robson Helimagic tour. Picnic at the wood fire warmed 1920s Hargraves log cabin, and get bird’s eye views of Emperor Falls and Robson Glacier during the helicopter ride to the isolated locale. —Jack Wennot
For many, riding a helicopter to the mountaintop and skiing or snowboarding a pristine powder slope would be a dream come true. In fact, Robson Helimagic hosts many first-timers. “We cater to a wide spectrum of skiers,” says Chris Dolbec, “from 20-somethings craving an adrenaline rush to those knocking one off their bucket list.” Small groups and big guide-to-guest ratios allow for personal attention. —Jack Wennot
The Small River trap-line that Slim Goodel worked 100 years ago is now a Cold Fire Creek Dog Sledding route. In this remote, wind-sheltered valley snow-laden branches arch over the trail and create a storybook look. It’s 15 km(9 mi) to the log cabin where sledders roast Valbella sausages over a fire. "I've mushed a lot of trails," says outfitter Amanda Sinclair, "but ours is the most beautiful." —Jack Wennot
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