Amethyst Lodge has availability for a minimum two night stay in a standard room, at an average nightly rate of $169.50 plus applicable taxes for Saturday and Sunday nights. To check availability at this hotel, click here.

Chateau Jasper is showing vacancies for a minimum two night stay, at a rate of $195.00 per night plus tax for Saturday and Sunday nights. To check availability at this hotel, click here.

Whistler’s Inn is still showing availability for both Saturday September 4 and Sunday September 5 at a rate of $225.33 per night plus tax for a standard room with queen bed. To check availability at this hotel, click here.

If you only need a room for either the Friday or Sunday night, you will have more hotels to choose from, and I recommend taking a look at our main Jasper hotels page, by clicking here.

Another option if you can’t find what you are looking for in Jasper, is to consider a hotel in Hinton, which lies just 15km from Jasper National Park, and an 80km scenic drive from the Jasper town site. With lower rates and a good chance of finding a vacancy, Hinton is a reasonable alternative to Jasper, particularly on a busy holiday weekend. To see a list of hotels in Hinton, click here.

*In most cases the above rates are subject to all applicable taxes and are based on double occupancy. The information above was accurate at the time of writing, however the availability and rates are likely to change as the weekend approaches. For up to date information, please check availability and rates yourself using the links provided.

**The information below relates to the weekend of July 31 to August 2. For information about vacancies for Labour Day Weekend, September 4-6 2010, click here.**

At the time of writing (July 28), we were able to find vacancies at the wonderful Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, with rooms starting at $399 per night. If you select their 99 Ways to Play package you will get a $99 resort credit per night, which essentially brings the room rate down to a more attractive $300 while giving you a great excuse to treat yourself in one of their amazing restaurants. This was the only hotel where we found availability for Saturday night. To make a reservation, click here.

The Amethyst Lodge still had availability for Friday and Sunday nights, with Friday’s rate starting at $239 and Sunday’s rate starting at $169. To make a reservation, click here.

Mount Robson Inn also had availability for Friday (from $189.74) and Sunday (from $215.38). To make a reservation, click here.

Tonquin Inn also had vacancies for Friday with rates starting from $159 and for Sunday starting from $215. To make a reservation, click here.

Wherever you decide to stay we recommend that you make a reservation as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Have a great holiday weekend!

*In most cases the above rates are subject to taxes and are based on double occupancy. The information above was accurate at the time of writing, however the availability and rates are likely to change as the weekend approaches. For up to date information, please check availability and rates yourself using the links provided.

Maligne Lodge has a bed and breakfast special from May 1 to 31 starting at $67 per person for one night’s accommodation plus breakfast the following morning. A similar B&B package at their sister property, the Tonquin Inn, starts at $72.50 per person, again valid for the month of May.
Mount Robson Inn is offering a May special, whereby the 2nd night of a 2 night stay is given at a 40% discount. This offer applies to any room type throughout May, except for the long weekend of May 21st, 22nd and 23rd.
The Alpine Bed & Breakfast Package at Best Western Jasper Inn & Suites starts at $79 per person for a standard room. This offer is valid until May 31st and includes one night’s lodging, a buffet breakfast, plus a $15 food credit, and the package can be upgraded to include a studio, or a one or two bedroom suite.
For the cabin experience, Pocahontas Cabins has a Soak & Sun package which includes cabin accommodation for one night, a hot breakfast, and a free pass to Miette Hotsprings. From May 7 to May 31 the package starts at $109 per person.
If you are looking for a cheap hotel deal, it’s hard to beat the Spring B&B Special at the Astoria Hotel which comes in at just $44 per person in a twin standard room or $49 per person in a queen standard room, and is valid until May 20th.

If your trip to Jasper is part of a tour of the Canadian Rockies, and you need to find a hotel in Banff, you might also want to check out the hotel deals over at Banff Hotels.org.

*The above offers are based on double occupancy, and are subject to availability, subject to taxes, subject to change, and certain date restrictions may apply. To confirm full details and for reservations, please contact the relevant Jasper hotel directly.

The Sawridge Inn offers the Escape Spa Package, which includes 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast plus a spa treatment at Mountain Wellness Day Spa, conveniently located on-site at the Sawridge Inn. Choose between the Classic Facial, the Relaxation Massage, or the Wellness Soak. From May 1 to June 15, and for the month of October 2010 the package costs $276 per person based on double occupancy and from June 16 to Sept 30 the cost is $336 per person.
For a shorter stay, Mountain Park Lodges offer a spa package with one night’s accommodation, breakfast, plus a choice between the Relaxation Massage, the Classic Facial or the Spa Pedicure, again at Mountain Wellness Day Spa. Rates start at $174.50 per person during May 2010 and go up to $210.50 from June 1st to Sept 30th, and are based on double occupancy in a standard room at Marmot Lodge. The package is also available at other Mountain Park Lodge properties at different price points.
No discussion of Jasper spas would be complete without mention of the Spa & Health Club at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. In August 2010, their new $6.7 million Fairmont Spa will be unveiled, which by all accounts will be yet another world class spa facility at a Fairmont Hotel. In the meantime, guests can still enjoy the outdoor heated swimming pool and gym, and a full range of spa treatments are offered at the hotel by the Insignia Salon & Spa.
If you would like to spa in Jasper, and stay at a different hotel to those mentioned above, there is nothing stopping you from putting together your own spa package by combining a stay at any hotel in Jasper with a spa treatment of your choosing.

*The above offers are subject to availability, subject to taxes, subject to change, and certain date restrictions may apply. To confirm full details and for reservations, please contact your Jasper hotel directly.

The Bear Hill Lodge offers cabin and chalet style lodging in a quiet forested refuge, yet is conveniently located within walking distance of the shops and restaurants of downtown Jasper. With a variety of accommodations ranging from chalet rooms to deluxe chalet suites, the Bear Hill Lodge caters to all tastes and budgets, but those looking for the Canadian Rockies cabin experience will surely be drawn to the Heritage Log Cabin. These two bedroom cabins boast a full kitchen, full bathroom, plus a sitting room with a gas or wood burning fireplace. The bedrooms have either one double bed or a double plus two twins, and there is a double pull out bed in the sitting area, meaning that a variety of family scenarios can be catered for. With the beautiful log construction visible on the inside, the cabins have a wonderful rustic charm, made even more cozy when surrounded by a blanket of snow.
For further information, rates and for reservations, please visit the Bear Hill Lodge website by clicking here.

Another excellent option for Jasper cabin accommodation during the winter season can be found at Pocahontas Cabins, located in a stunning natural location 25 minutes drive from downtown Jasper and just 5 minutes from the Jasper National Park east gate. The Panebode motel units are keenly priced and will suit those with their eye on the budget, however it is the Deluxe Log Cabins that will really appeal to those looking for a romantic retreat. These cabins feature a queen bed, full kitchen and bathroom, a living room with TV/DVD, gas fireplace, verandah and the fabulous setting means that you’ll enjoy magnificent mountain views right from your door!
To find out more and for rates and reservations, please click here to visit the Pocahontas Cabins website.

For more Jasper ski deals, including multi-day packages, click here.

*The above packages may be subject to availability and subject to change, and certain blackout dates may apply. To confirm rates and for reservations, please contact the individual Jasper hotels directly.

Ski and Snowboard Rental

If you need to rent equipment, both Totem Ski Shop and Jasper Source for Sports offer a good range of skis and snowboards for adults and children as well as helmets and cross country ski packages.

*The above offers are subject to a minimum occupancy of 2 people per room, and are subject to availability, subject to taxes, subject to change, and certain date restrictions may apply. To confirm full details and for reservations, please contact your Jasper accommodation directly.

For more great skiing in the Canadian Rockies, be sure to visit the Canmore hotels website and take a look at their featured ski packages for the Banff and Lake Louise area.

Family Day Weekend is set to be a busy one in Jasper, and at the time of writing many hotels are already full for Saturday night. Most hotels still had some availability for Friday and Sunday (Valentines Day), but the message is clear – if you are planning to come to Jasper this Family Day Weekend, you should make a hotel reservation as soon as possible.
One of the few hotels we checked with availability for Saturday was the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, where you can find a Family Day Weekend Package for two adults and two children under 18yrs which includes accommodation and a full program of family activities, starting at $349 per night for a minimum 2 night stay. The family activities include bedtime stories, family movies, ice skating with free hot chocolate, family craft time, mini family Olympics, and a family Sunday brunch ($27.50/$19.25). Click here for details of this package.
Other hotels we found with limited availability for Saturday night were Whistler’s Inn and Mount Robson Inn, although it’s unlikely these rooms will last for long.

If you can’t find a room for Saturday night and are considering coming to Jasper with your loved one, remember that Sunday is Valentine’s Day and you could combine a romantic Valentines dinner with a Sunday night stay in a Jasper hotel.
Silverwater at Chateau Jasper is offering a Valentines Day special with an appetizer of smoked salmon bisque with a feta and spinach puree, a seafood sampler plate as a main course, including scallops, prawns, crabs legs, tuna tartar and mussels, and a trio of citrus sorbets for dessert, costing $42.00 per person.
The popular Andy’s Bistro in downtown Jasper has a 5 course Valentines dinner menu for $55 per person including soup, salad, hot appetizer, choice of 3 entrees plus dessert.
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is offering a St Valentine’s Day Celebration Package which includes two nights accommodation (min 2 night stay), with roses, champagne and strawberries in your room, a romantic dinner for two, daily breakfast, cross country ski rental and skate rental. The package starts at $399 per night for two people, and is valid from Feb 12 to 14 2010.
And finally, Overlander Mountain Lodge has a Valentine’s Day Package including one night’s accommodation, wine & truffles in your room on arrival, a 4 course Valentine’s dinner for 2 with live piano, plus breakfast for 2 the following morning, costing $299 per couple.

The above packages and dinners are subject to change and availability. We strongly recommend making reservations early by contacting the hotels or restaurants directly.

Charter Flight & Mid Range Hotel

The best direct deal on a charter we could find was with Canadian Affair, where a Monarch flight from London Gatwick was available for £403.20 per person.
For accommodation we chose the Astoria Hotel, and were quoted a total of $1520.70 CAD for the 11 night stay.
Using today’s tourist exchange rate of £1.00 = $1.71 CAD, the total price for this combination booked independently was £1695.70 for 2 people, not including airport transfers.
Inghams are now the only major UK ski tour operator using charter flights into Calgary. Their holiday included a Monarch charter flight from London Gatwick, an 11 night stay at the Astoria Hotel, and airport transfers between Calgary and Jasper for a total of £1325.00 for 2 people, a saving of £370.70 compared to the independent trip.
We also did the same comparison but including 10 day lift passes.
The Astoria Hotel was able to package together the 11 night stay with 2 x 10 day passes for a total of $1864.48 CAD, making the total price of the direct deal £1896.74 for 2 people.
The Inghams price including 2 x 10 day lift passes was £1915.00 for 2 people, which is £18.26 more expensive than the direct deal.
A third option we looked at was a package provided by a tour operator based in the Canadian Rockies. Ski Holidays Canada quoted an 11 night stay at the Whistler’s Inn including 2 x 10 day ski passes and a free ski shuttle (valued at $14 per person per day) for $1699. Adding the Monarch flights for £403pp brings the cost of this package to a competitive £1799.56 for 2 people. Airport transfers are not included in this package, however car hire can be organized through the same company, costing $423 (£247.37) for 11 days full size car with unlimited mileage.

Scheduled Flight & Luxury Hotel

The best direct deal we found for a scheduled flight was with British Airways, which came in at £592.90 per person return from London Heathrow.
For an 11 night stay at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, we were quoted a total of $2732.22 CAD. The total for this combination of flights and accommodation is £2783.59 for 2 people, not including airport transfers.
With the tour operator Crystal Ski we found the same holiday including airport transfers between Calgary and Jasper for £2229.68 for 2 people, a saving of £553.91 compared to the independent option.
Including passes, it just so happens that the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is offering 2 x free 10 day passes with an 11 night stay, as part of their remarkable Ski for Free Package, so the total independent holiday cost remains at £2783.59.
Crystal are selling 10 day passes on their website for £231 pp, bringing the total cost of the Crystal holiday to £2661.68, which is still cheaper than the direct deal by £121.91.

Charter Flight & Luxury Hotel

Combining the Monarch flights with the direct deal at the Jasper Park Lodge above including ski passes, gives us a total of £2404.19 for 2 people for an independent package, not including airport transfers.
Inghams price for the same package, but including airport transfers, was £2636 for 2 people.
Ski Holidays Canada were able to offer the same package including flights, accommodation at the Jasper Park Lodge and 10 day ski passes for £2384.36 for 2 people. Adding the optional extra car hire for £247.37 brings this total to £2631.37, beating the Inghams package price.

Conclusion

In most cases the ski holidays booked through the UK tour operators are cheaper than trying to book the same holiday independently, over 20% cheaper in some instances. That price difference is reduced when you include lift passes, thanks to the competitive ski packages offered locally by Jasper hotels. It’s important to note that the independently booked holidays do not include airport transfers between Calgary and Jasper, and due to the limited scheduled shuttle service in the winter, most independent travellers would be forced to either rent a car, or pay the considerable cost for a private transfer. Alternatively you could find a hotel in Calgary for the night and then take the scheduled shuttle the following day.
Taking the price differences and the airport transfers into consideration, it seems that the most convenient and most economical way to come to Jasper on a ski holiday from the UK is to book a package holiday. However for the more independent traveller, using a locally based tour operator can help keep the cost down while also providing a more tailor made Jasper ski holiday.

*The information contained in this article was correct at the time of writing, but can change at any time. To confirm current prices and packages, please contact the respective tour operators, hotels, and airlines directly.
While we have made every effort to display accurate information, we cannot be held responsible for any discrepancies which may occur.

There is no doubt that the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is a magical place to be during the Christmas and New Year holidays, in no small part due to the wonderful events taking place at the hotel throughout the holiday period. The staff at JasperHotels.com have had a good look at the Festival of Christmas brochure put together by the Jasper Park Lodge, and we’d like to share of our favorite activities from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day.

Christmas Eve, December 24

To jump into the Christmas spirit straight after breakfast, we like the idea of Santa’s Stocking Workshop from 9.30-11am, which we are sure will be a hit with the kids. The Wagon Ride sounds like fun and is running at various times throughout the day, and needs to be booked ahead of time. We’d probably take the 2pm slot, so that we’re back in time for Skating with the Elves which runs from 3-5pm, on Lake Mildred. The Manager’s Yuletide Reception sounds festive and takes place from 4.30-6pm, leaving time for dinner before joining in with Caroling by the Fire from 8.30-9.30pm.

Christmas Day, December 25

After spending a relaxing Christmas morning opening gifts, we thought Christmas Cookie Baking would be a fun activity from 3-4.30pm, and Family Games Night from 5-9pm would be a chance for the kids to interact and swap stories about their favorite Christmas gifts, while the adults take a deserved break. Once again Caroling by the Fire from 7-8pm promises to be a festive round-off to a fun-filled Christmas Day.

Boxing Day, December 26

As soon as we saw Chocolate Tasting on the schedule, we started to lick our lips and we’re sure that will be a popular activity from 4-5pm. If you haven’t taken a Wagon Ride yet, then Boxing Day evening is as good a time as any, at either 7pm or 8pm. Who can say no to a sing-song? We certainly can’t which is why we like the idea of Family Karaoke from 8-11pm.

In addition to our picks above, there are many other special events taking place at the Jasper Park Lodge throughout the holiday period. For full details, visit the Jasper Park Lodge website and download the Festival of Christmas brochure.
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is also offering a 3 night Festival Of Christmas Package which includes accommodation, many of the holiday activities, plus a christmas tree and decorations in your room! To find out more, click here.

To make reservations for Christmas events and dining, please call the Jasper Park Lodge directly at 780 852 6052.