I have still yet to visit Jasper in the summer season, but this is not something that bothers me; I would happily spend a lifetime of winter seasons in Jasper National Park. Why? Jasper is the epitome of a winter wonderland, and I doubt that I could ever tire of it. I say this with the sincerest lack of cheese; there’s just something about waking up to the sight of snow capped mountains every morning that makes me feel all giddy inside.
Another reason to visit in the winter is the Jasper in January Festival. I attended the third weekend (Jan 24-26) of the festival this year, which meant a chili cook-off (yes, a party just for eating chili), a night-time street party with s’more roasting and giant inflatable beavers (what?), a procession of torch lights resembling a mob and some pretty impressive fireworks, of which, were my first time seeing lit up over a snowy field. This year, JinJ celebrated 25 years of awesome festival traditions. Between scheduled activities, we went skating on the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge‘s Lake Mildred, checked out the #MyJasper ice lounge, sampled beers at the Jasper Brewing Company and explored the other shops and restaurants around town.
The festival was a good excuse to come to town for the weekend, but there’s still so much more to see outside of the town limits, including dog sledding, stargazing, ice canyon exploration and skiing (more on that soon). We also wasted no time hitting the road to my absolute favourite drive in all of Canada; the Icefields Parkway. Jasper makes me smitten.
Here are my favourite shots from Jasper in January;
Notice the moon.
A shot from my first winter visit to Jasper in 2010.
Athabasca River seen from the entrance bridge at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
View over Lac Beauvert at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
The frozen Athabasca Falls.
The #MyJasper ice lounge
Chili & firemen. You’re welcome ladies.
Some local residents at sunset.
Driving down the Icefields Parkway.
Hecktictravels.com in action
John the Brewer in Jasper Brewing Company’s “Hoperating” Room.
The procession of lights toward the fireworks, with Jasper the Bear.
2010.
A very chilly morning.
Athabasca Falls.
Yours truly on skates for the first time in about 8 years.
Lunch at the Jasper Brewing Company.
Pro skater Pete of hecktictravels.com
The view behind my cabin at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
A bag of hops.
Zombie chili.
Bloggers bloggin’ ;]
Want to see the rest of the Rockies?
This trip was made possible by Jasper Tourism.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Great photos Seattle! Can’t wait to go to Jasper.
I’ve been Jasper a few times, but never in January. Love the shots. That one of the flower in the ice is really neat.
Alouise recently posted..Spencer Tunick Photography Installation in Cleveland
I’m still trying to figure out how they did that with the flower, haha.
The festival sounds amazing, especially the smores and the giant inflatable beavers! Haha!
Catherine recently posted..Southeast Asia Bucket List
Haha! Yeah the s’mores were definitely a big draw for me.
Your photos are stunning. How cold was it when you were there? The Athabasca Falls remind me of Johnston Canyon in Banff. We did not get to Jasper, but I would have to spend time there since I loved Banff so much! Alberta is such a stunning province!
Angela (@angelatravels11) recently posted..Johnston Canyon – Banff National Park
Thanks! It was -19C on one of the nights, but usually around -5 to -10 the rest of the time. I think most of the waterfalls in that area look similar (and equally beautiful). I haven’t been to Banff myself, so we need to make a trade! Haha 😀
That sounds like a great plan!
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