[David A]

The drive from YCC to Jasper is 4:45. The drive from YEG to Jasper is 4:00. For that extra 45 minutes you get the prettiest drive in the world instead of 3 hours of flat trees, much nicer places to stop along the way, and many more flight options.

I hate to say it, but for an international traveller wanting to go to Jasper, YYC makes more sense than YEG. The jasper = Edmonton connection makes sense for Albertans but less so for international folks.

Everything here does not need to revolve around YYC, really. It depends on what you want. If you mainly just want to go to Jasper, the faster and more direct route actually probably makes more sense.

However, if you also want to meander through (often crowded) Banff then perhaps that way makes sense. While the Icefields road is nice, it is also more prone to weather restrictions and problems.

 

[husky]

The Yellowhead has Wabamun, Entwistle, Chip Lake, Edson and Hinton, while the TCH and Icefields Parkway has Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise and Saskatchewan Crossing - so in terms of dining, accommodation and attractions it's a wash. VIA Rail is also a viable option as long as one plans things right.

It's a shame we haven't capitalized on making Wabamun into more of a destination.

 

[David A]

It's a shame we haven't capitalized on making Wabamun into more of a destination.

Or most of the places on the Yellowhead west of Edmonton. Of course it is a fairly long drive to Jasper so stops can be fairly short if you are focused on getting there and many of these places are fairly small.

However, I hope they can do more to encourage people to visit them, a lot actually look like nice small places. Edson needs to more to spruce itself up, but Hinton has a bit more of a tourist vibe.

 

[archited]

Edmonton and its people have got to stop feeling so insular. Hinton is an exceptional stopover -- Edson perhaps a little less so but with great potential also. Whitecourt has exceptional natural beauty with the Athabasca and McLeod Rivers converging on the town. As Edmonton grows in population I think a spillover effect on the towns in all directions surrounding the City will begin to have a positive growth and development outcome for the smaller centres. Being of the aged variety, I can remember back when Red Deer was little more than a convenience stop between the Big E and the small c -- it has blossomed into a City in its own right with lots to see and do and with its neighbors, Lacombe and Sylvan Lake, both adding to the character development of the region. Alberta is a beautiful Province and one of Canada's most diverse in terms of geological and geographical makeup. It really is a special place.

 

[PermitMaster]

Just stopped by Jasper Park Lodge, here are the renders for the renovations. The main entrance and restaurant/lounge are currently closed for renovations along with many cabins. Supposed to be completed in the spring of 2026. I like a lot of the changes, I wish they kept the old chandeliers. This is my first post on the forum, excited to join the community.

 

[PermitMaster]

This was formerly the old movie theatre, which has now been redeveloped into a new whiskey distillery and restaurant. It’s owned by the same group behind Campio Brewing and Jasper Brewing.

While walking around the Jasper townsite, it’s encouraging to see several notable buildings getting rebuilt after the horrific fire. I hope this positive momentum continues. See the photos below.

This is where Maligne Lodge and Mount Robson Inn previously stood.

 

[Yeggy]

The drive from YCC to Jasper is 4:45. The drive from YEG to Jasper is 4:00. For that extra 45 minutes you get the prettiest drive in the world instead of 3 hours of flat trees, much nicer places to stop along the way, and many more flight options.

I hate to say it, but for an international traveller wanting to go to Jasper, YYC makes more sense than YEG. The jasper = Edmonton connection makes sense for Albertans but less so for international folks.

If you think that driving the parkway, esp in winter, is easy or relaxing you would be wrong.

 

[SarcasticMarmot]

If you think that driving the parkway, esp in winter, is easy or relaxing you would be wrong.

As an ice climber I drive the parkway in the winter multiple times a month.

My statement was in reference to international tourists which come in the summer. Outside of some weirdos like me they are not going to be driving to Jasper in the winter from Edmonton either.

 

[Gronk!]

As an ice climber I drive the parkway in the winter multiple times a month.

My statement was in reference to international tourists which come in the summer. Outside of some weirdos like me they are not going to be driving to Jasper in the winter from Edmonton either.

There are some skiers at Marmot Basin who would like a word with you.

 

[Yeggy]

There are some skiers at Marmot Basin who would like a word with you.

Exactly, as a down hill skier Indrive it multiple times a year in the winter. Re: The parkway you can never plan on it being open esp in the winter.

 

[Airboy]

Edmonton and its people have got to stop feeling so insular. Hinton is an exceptional stopover -- Edson perhaps a little less so but with great potential also. Whitecourt has exceptional natural beauty with the Athabasca and McLeod Rivers converging on the town. As Edmonton grows in population I think a spillover effect on the towns in all directions surrounding the City will begin to have a positive growth and development outcome for the smaller centres. Being of the aged variety, I can remember back when Red Deer was little more than a convenience stop between the Big E and the small c -- it has blossomed into a City in its own right with lots to see and do and with its neighbors, Lacombe and Sylvan Lake, both adding to the character development of the region. Alberta is a beautiful Province and one of Canada's most diverse in terms of geological and geographical makeup. It really is a special place.

Hinton has always been my stop before entering the Park. Have also gone MTB and Fat biking there. If you get off the highway and explore its quite nice. Folding mountain is also a good stop off and jumping off location. As for the drive, I find the Drive to Jasper easier. Less stressful. I've made the trip out quite a bit for day trips. When I have a project in town it easy to drive out, have my meeting, do a site review and still have time for a decent lunch and a nice drive home. And by the looks of it I will be heading out again this spring. I have done the trip to Banff for the same reason and find it can sometimes take 5 or more hours to get to Banff. Traffic is horrible for the most part. When I had projects in Lake Louse a few years back , it was easier to drive in from the North. We milline the drive But I find it more accessible to get to Jasper. But we do need updated and new Hotels. I figure ones the fire damaged hotels are rebuilt it may push others to redevelop the properties.

 

[Airboy]

View attachment 706201
View attachment 706200
Just stopped by Jasper Park Lodge, here are the renders for the renovations. The main entrance and restaurant/lounge are currently closed for renovations along with many cabins. Supposed to be completed in the spring of 2026. I like a lot of the changes, I wish they kept the old chandeliers. This is my first post on the forum, excited to join the community.

Interested in what they will do with the lower floor.

 

[yeggator]

I really wish the provincial and federal governments would commit to upgrading Highway 16 between Edmonton and Jasper. If the province expands the roadway and limits access through Gainford, twins the bridge through Entwistle, builds bypasses around Edson and Hinton and twins the highway up to the park gate, you could drive from the Henday to the park gate in 2.5 hours if these upgrades were coupled with the speed limit increase to 120. (Knowing Alberta drivers though, everyone will go 130 and save 12 more minutes).

Then, if the federal government twinned the highway from the park gate to Highway 93 and added wildlife overpasses and fences, the speed limit could be bumped up to 90 or 100. It only reduces the travel time by a few minutes, but it will significantly improve the reliability of the highway (mitigating impacts from summer traffic, wildlife crossings, bad weather and rockfalls). All-in-all, you could shave off an hour from the current 4h-trip and significantly improve the reliability of Highway 16 year-round. A portion of the 93 is shut down as I type this, and recent closures for avalanche control forced last-minute changes to my latest hiking trip, so having that reliability for locals and tourists is no joke. Plus, it would be easier for Edmonton to market itself as a landing spot for tourists going to the mountains and take a big load off the Trans-Canada (horrendous traffic!!!!).

 

[Airboy]

I really wish the provincial and federal governments would commit to upgrading Highway 16 between Edmonton and Jasper. If the province expands the roadway and limits access through Gainford, twins the bridge through Entwistle, builds bypasses around Edson and Hinton and twins the highway up to the park gate, you could drive from the Henday to the park gate in 2.5 hours if these upgrades were coupled with the speed limit increase to 120. (Knowing Alberta drivers though, everyone will go 130 and save 12 more minutes).

Then, if the federal government twinned the highway from the park gate to Highway 93 and added wildlife overpasses and fences, the speed limit could be bumped up to 90 or 100. It only reduces the travel time by a few minutes, but it will significantly improve the reliability of the highway (mitigating impacts from summer traffic, wildlife crossings, bad weather and rockfalls). All-in-all, you could shave off an hour from the current 4h-trip and significantly improve the reliability of Highway 16 year-round. A portion of the 93 is shut down as I type this, and recent closures for avalanche control forced last-minute changes to my recent hiking tri, so having that reliability for locals and tourists is no joke. Plus, it would be easier for Edmonton to market itself as a landing spot for tourists going to the mountains and take a big load off the Trans-Canada (horrendous traffic!!!!).

Also upgrading that highway would allow transport traffic to better move through a more reliable mountain crossing. There is a route planned for the Hinton Bypass. When I was last out there riding the locals pointed out the route to us.

 

[northlands]

I really wish the provincial and federal governments would commit to upgrading Highway 16 between Edmonton and Jasper. If the province expands the roadway and limits access through Gainford, twins the bridge through Entwistle, builds bypasses around Edson and Hinton and twins the highway up to the park gate, you could drive from the Henday to the park gate in 2.5 hours if these upgrades were coupled with the speed limit increase to 120.

An Edson bypass would be awesome, easily the biggest slog in the whole drive.

Mostly though, the Province just needs to stay on-top of paving and maintenance. They have improved some segments thankfully but there are still numerous stretches of abhorrent pavement condition. Couple years back I think I came the closest I ever have to dying after hitting a couple consecutive gaping road craters pot holes in a work truck towing a 12,000 lb trailer that caused a death wobble that nearly put me straight in the rhubarb.