HI - Jasper International Hostel

The Jasper International Hostel isn't very big but it has all the amenities that make a hostel great. The staff are very friendly and helpful. They get to know the guests by first name and they will lend a towel if you forgot yours, let you use the phone if you forgot your camera at the restaurant in town, etc.

This quaint hostel located 7 KM south of the town of Jasper has a female dorm, co-ed dorm and four private rooms that have a double bed and bunk beds in each. Each private room can accommodate up to four people. The dorms have bunk beds, there are huge, locking drawers under the bottom bunk. These drawers are large enough to hold a backpack and some other gear. They have a hasp on them so that you can lock them. There are also lockers in the front entrance of the hostel as well. So security at this hostel isn't a problem.

For those that are coming to Jasper on the train or bus, you can reach the hostel by taking a taxi. This will cost about $13. Once you are there, getting back to town shouldn't be a problem. You can catch a ride with other hostellers. Most are more than happy to have you join them. You could also ask at the front desk if any of the staff are going into town that day as well. So you really should only have to pay for a taxi to the hostel once when you are first coming from the train or bus station.

The hostel has a nice common room with a fire place and big picture windows that over look the beautiful Rocky Mountains that make Jasper what it is. While we were there, the common room was busy with guests. The hostel wasn't totally booked, the guests just liked hanging out around the fireplace. You can enjoy a game of cards, a game of chess, reading a book from the small library that the hostel has or one of your own books or magazines. There is ample room to sit and relax in the common room.

The hostel also offers a phone card machine, conveniently located next to the payphone. They have an internet kiosk that costs $1 for 10 minutes or $2 for 20 minutes

One could very easily get by for a weekend at the hostel without buying any groceries. There is a free food shelf in the fridge at the hostel and there was a lot of food on the shelf. Most people that come to the hostel will leave food that has to be refrigerated on the free food shelf, rather than taking it home with them. The kitchen is very well stocked. There are two counter top stoves, plenty of dishes of all sorts, a wide variety of spices, lots of pots, pans and other things needed to cook a gourmet meal! Just remember to clean up after yourself. There is a coffee pot that always has coffee made.

Many of the companies that offer tours in Jasper will come to the hostel to pick you up for no extra cost. If you are a single traveler or in a small group of two or three together, ask around the hostel to see if there are others that are interested in the same tour as you are. Some of the tours require a minimum number. Sometimes if you call with your two people you will be told that they are booked for the day but if you called to join in with the other group they can fit you in. There is no shortage of tours and things to do in Jasper. If you are stuck for what to do just ask the hostel staff. They will even give you directions to the restaurants that they like, places to rent sporting equipment to enjoy the outdoors to the fullest or any other place you want to go!

Jasper is known for its world famous skiing in the Rocky Mountains. A trip to Jasper in the winter months can we a wonderful experience. The hostel has a shuttle to Marmot Basin, the nearby ski hill. They also offer great deals on skiing at Marmot as well that include accommodations.

For the budget traveler, HI-jasper is the place to go while in Jasper National Park. The hotels in Jasper are very highly priced. The hostel offers a quaint mountain retreat to relax and enjoy Jasper to the fullest. We highly recommend HI-Jasper to anyone wanting to see the Rockies on a budget. This hostel is well suited to families with children of all ages, as well as single travelers.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review