While less than 5,000 people live in the small town of Jasper, each year 2.5 million tourists visit the behemoth that is Jasper National Park. Outdoor enthusiasts find themselves at home regardless of the season, with plenty of day hikes and multi-day treks to choose from in the warmer months and alpine and XC skiing in the winter. Maligne Lake, Marmot Basin ski resort, and the Icefields Parkway are just a few spots that make Jasper special.
With it being a relatively small town with lots of competition for accommodation among tourists and locals alike, your best bet is to book well before your visit. While there are several hotels in Jasper, hostels afford a unique experience. They’re generally more affordable than hotels and AirBnBs and are a great way to meet like-minded adventurous and nomadic travellers. In this entry of Budget Travel Plans, we highlight the three best hostels in Jasper.
HI Athabasca Falls
| Address: | Longitude: -117.87659 Latitude: 52.66084 Get Directions |
| Phone: | 1 (866) 762-4122 |
| Location score: | 9.6 |
| Hostel World rating: | 9.5 |
| Google rating: | 4.7 |
| Shared dorm starting price: | $34/night |
| Private family room starting price: | $85/night |
While not in the main village of Jasper, HI Athabasca Falls offers a unique experience in a wilderness setting. As this is a wilderness-style hostel, there is no running water or showers. It’s off-grid living without the tent, and there’s well water from mountain runoff, a beautiful kitchen, and a campfire.
You’ll be within walking distance from Athabasca Falls and have access to great hiking and XC skiing trails.
Insider tip: If you like multi-day hiking, book a permit at Amethyst Lake campground to take in incredible views of the Tonquin Valley. A two-day out-and-back to Amethyst Lake from the Portal Trailhead will take you through beautiful landscapes with wildflowers, mountains, caribou, and more. Portal Trailhead is about a 30-minute drive from HI Athabasca Falls. Be sure to pack some bear spray!
HI Jasper
| Address: | 708 Sleepy Hollow Rd, Jasper, AB T0E 1E0 Get Directions |
| Phone: | (587) 870-2395 |
| Location score: | 9.2 |
| Hostel World rating: | 9.3 |
| Google rating: | 4.3 |
| Shared dorm starting price: | $39/night |
| Private room starting price: | $101/night |
HI Jasper is one of two hostels in the town of Jasper. HI Jasper is more of your traditional hostel compared to HI Athathabasca Falls. It has an on-site cafe, ski storage, WiFi, running water and showers, and even a sauna.
Like many other hostels in the HI family, HI Jasper offers a Work for Stay program. The program is excellent for those looking to barter a bed for their labour and earn extra money. Work for Stay is also a great option if you plan on living in Jasper for a season, as local accommodation can be hard to come by.
Insider tip: For an unforgettable day trip, head to Maligne Lake from HI Jasper. It’s about a 50-minute drive, door to door. The 22-km long lake is the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies. If you want to get out on the lake, there’s a canoe and kayak rental on the shoreline at Maligne Lake Boat House. Their prices start at $52 an hour.
Jasper Downtown Hostel
| Address: | 400 Patricia St, Jasper, AB T0E 1E0 Get Directions |
| Phone: | (780) 852-2000 |
| Location score: | 9.8 |
| Hostel World rating: | 9.1 |
| Google rating: | 4.5 |
| Shared dorm starting price: | $39/night |
| Private room starting price: | $118/night |
Jasper Downtown Hostel is the second of two hotels directly in the town of Jasper. It’s an excellent option if you want to be within walking distance of the town’s amenities, like grocery stores, restaurants, and bars.
The hostel is conveniently only a block from Jasper’s train and bus station. As for hostel amenities, Jasper Downtown Hostel has both dorm and private rooms, a sizeable kitchen, on-site laundry, and deals on lift tickets with Marmot Basin.
Insider tip: Pack your skis and head to Marmot Basin and take advantage of the hostel’s deals on lift tickets. The ski resort is a 20-25 minute drive from HI Jasper, and there are four parking lots at the mountain’s base. You’ll enjoy over 900 metres in vertical with tons of terrain, including bowls, trees and glades, and groomed runs. Pack some hand and toe warmers, as Marmot Basin can get quite cold.
Further Reading
Looking for more affordable accommodations in Canada? Check out the list below:
- 6 Best Hostels in and around Whistler
- 18 Best Hotels in Downtown Calgary
- 13 Best Hotels in Downtown St. John’s
And if you’re looking to head across the world to a ski resort in Niseko, Japan, read our article on the 6 Best Niseko Hotels near Niseko United Resort.
Scott has lived, travelled, and worked in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. He’s a big foodie and loves running and skiing, and these interests have been the main drivers behind most of his trips and moves.
Outside of writing and travelling, he’s an SEO and Growth Consultant advising early-stage startups and small businesses.