Established as a National Park in 1907, Jasper has expanded from humble beginnings to become Canada's largest mountain park, with crowds flocking there for its hiking, biking, climbing, horseback riding, and rafting. Visitors will also be able to find shopping and fine dining in Jasper, but such urbane attractions are not the focus, Jasper's tourists are more interested in what lies outside of town than what's in it. The result is a charming alpine village with a few fancy frills. Jasper Town lacks Banff’s fame, but many tourists prefer its unpretentious air and smaller, outdoor sports-crazy crowd.

Jasper provides an authentic, friendly atmosphere that is refreshingly rough around the edges. Although new development can be seen on boutique strips such as Patricia Street, with shopping malls and nightspots jostling for space, Jasper retains its small-town, lived in charm.