I’ve talked about my own love for Jasper before, but today I’m putting two of Alberta’s most popular resorts head to head, to help you decide which town is better suited to your interests.
Jasper
Small and Friendly
Jasper really is a small town with the friendly community feel you’d expect from such a compact location. The town draws fewer visitors annually than Banff, but this means it is easier to get to know the locals, as well as other travellers. Jasper’s small size also means it’s super easy to familiarise yourself with the area in only an hour or two.
Wildlife Sightings
The smaller year-round population means the local wildlife are more likely to venture near Jasper townsite than in Banff. During my early June visit, which coincided with Elk calving season, several Elk could be spotted just outside the town centre, separated from us by only the railway. It’s also not unheard of for bears to be spotted rummaging in front yards during the early morning and evening hours. This does mean you need to stay aware when moving around town at these times, but creates plenty of great wildlife viewing opportunities if that is one of the aims of your trip.
Remote Location
Jasper is approximately 4-5 hours from both Calgary and Edmonton, much further from any cities and larger towns than Banff. Therefore, if you are looking for a more remote destination with plenty of wilderness to yourself, Jasper may be better suited to you.
Banff
Big Little Town
Whilst Banff is considered a small town, it is significantly larger in size than Jasper. The two towns offer many of the same activities and experiences, but due to it’s size, Banff has a larger volume of things to do. For instance, if you are interested in doing a little shopping during your trip, you will find Banff offers a wider range of stores, including global brand names.
Nightlife
Banff also offers a more diverse range of nightlife to cater for its larger population. You can find bars, restaurants, nightclubs and entertainment venues along Banff Avenue, all within short walking distance of each other. There is also often an after-party to be found too, especially if you plan to stay in one of the many local hostels.
Winter Sports
Banff is an internationally renowned destination for skiing and snowboarding. Whilst the slops aren’t my scene, and I can’t compare them with other resorts, the snowsports opportunities here are one of Banff’s main attractions and draws in 500,000 skiers and snowboarders annually.
Verdict
Jasper and Banff bear (geddit?) a lot of similarities. However, if you only have time to visit one, there are a few key differences that will be the decider. Looking for a peaceful destination and have more of an interest in hiking and wildlife? Jasper is a great bet. However, if snowsports are more your thing, not to mention great apres-ski, Banff will likely be better suited to you.
