Arguably, Jasper is the wildest park in the Canadian Rockies. Though ample parts of it are developed and easily accessible, it is so vast – it is the largest park in the Rockies – that includes huge tracts of pristine land. Because the wilderness hovers so near, visitors can quickly shift from the civilized to het untamed.

Jasper also is a rugged, mountainous place. The peaks of the eastern front range and eastern main rage of the Rockies form the snow-capped skyline. More than 40 per cent of the park lies above tree line, in the alpine area. But in some places these heights can be easily reached with a few hours of hiking, or, in one case, by riding seven minutes on a tramway.

After you stock up on pamphlets and maps at ht helpful Jasper Park Information Centre in downtown Jasper, stick around a while to explore. Many outdoor attractions are located close by, most notably a network of easy and rewarding trails.