Canadian Train Vacation Articles
- Canadian Rockies Train Vacations
- Rocky Mountaineer Services
- Routes on the Rocky Mountaineer
- Via Rail Canada Service Classes
- A Brief History of the Canada Pacific Railway
- Travel in Style on the Royal Canadian Pacific Service
- Canadian Wilderness Tours by Train
- Canadian Canoeing Vacations by Train
- Canada Heli-Hiking Tours by Train
- Canada Train Vacations as Honeymoons
- Polar Bear Train Tours In Canada
- Visit The Polar Bear Capital Of The World On Canada Train Tours
- The Chateau Lake Louise
- Canada's Chateau Laurier
- Canada’s Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel
- Train Tours to Canada’s Hotel Vancouver
- Quebec City's Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
- Jasper, Alberta Travel and History
- Vacations in Toronto by Train
- Travel by Train to Vancouver, British Columbia
- Halifax, Nova Scotia Train Vacations
- Banff, Alberta Train Travel Options
- Tofino, British Columbia Train Vacations
- Toronto's Fairmont Royal York Hotel
- Canadian Trains in Cinema and Literature
Canadian Wilderness Tours by Train
The history of Jasper, Alberta spans nearly two decades and highlights the ability of a community to survive through prosperous periods and economic declines. Today, the municipality is home to almost 4,300 residents and boasts high property values, impressive household incomes, and more signs of financial well-being. But despite current successes, life for the residents of Jasper has been a series of peaks and valleys.
Land surveyor David Thompson made the first recorded visit to this western Canadian area in 1810. Shortly thereafter, the future site of Jasper became a hot-spot for those looking to get in on the North American fur trade. This industry boomed for several decades, but the demand for animal pelts eventually declined. The area was completely abandoned in the mid 1880s.
Just when the settlement seemed like a lost cause, government and business organizations saw new potential to revitalize the area. In 1907, the Dominion Government set aside 13,000 square kilometers to establish Jasper National Forrest Park. To this day, the reserved land is touted as the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies and brings in over 3 million visitors every year. Glaciers, hot springs, waterfalls and pristine mountain ranges are just a few of Jasper National Forrest Park’s many alluring features.
With new hope for the municipality, the transportation industry saw an opportunity to ease travel between Jasper and the rest of Canada. In 1911, the now-defunct Grand Trunk Pacific Railway laid tracks between Winnipeg and Jasper. A direct road was also established from Jasper to Edmonton, the capital city of Alberta.
Though the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway no longer operates, train travel remains a preferred way to reach Jasper. Canada’s VIA Rail service and the Rocky Mountaineer bring scores of tourists, business travelers and more to and from the municipality every day. Nature hikes, trade expos, curling matches and public skating are just a few of the main draws to prosperous Jasper, AB.
Whether you want to observe wildlife (such as moose and bighorn sheep) in a national forest, attend an exciting hockey tournament, or learn about new developments in a number of trades, Jasper is an ideal destination. We offer a wide variety of Canada train vacation packages that range from quick, 5-day excursions on the VIA Rail to 12-day journeys on the world-class Rocky Mountaineer.
Let Canada Train Vacations help you book a business trip or family vacation today. Our knowledgeable staff knows how to prepare the ultimate Jasper experience, and can even help you create a customized, affordable tour of Canada.