This post is written in partnership with Expedia.ca.

Last winter I went on a trip of a lifetime- I took my mom, my best friend and her mother on a snowy train adventure from British Columbia to Alberta, through Vancouver, Jasper and Banff, and we had the best time.

I had seen hundreds of photos of Jasper National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and I can’t lie, it was the main reason I wanted to take this trip. Banff looked beautiful, but the adventures in Jasper seemed to scream out to me a bit more. After my first ice climbing adventure in Mammoth a year before, I knew the ice walk to Maligne Canyon was an absolute must.

And spoiler alert- it was the coldest, most incredible, totally AWESOME experience than I’ve ever had before!

Getting There:

Jasper is definitely one of those places where the journey is just as special as the destination. You can drive, fly or train through the Canadian Rockies into Jasper. If you drive, you’ll traverse along The Icefields Parkway, passing alpine forest and maybe see elk, moose and bears along the way.

If you don’t want to drive yourself, you can fly into Calgary and take a Sundog Tour Bus up to Jasper. Alternatively, the overnight train from Vancouver to Jasper on the Rocky Mountaineer or the VIA Rail Canada is also one of those once in a lifetime, super memorable experiences. We spent most of our time in the cabins with the glass rooftops so we could see the whole scenery surround us.

Where to Stay:

Cabins and Condos and hotels, oh my! J You can find Jasper hotels at Expedia.ca.

Our top pick: The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, originally opened in 1915 and is now one of the most luxurious cabin retreats in the world. The suites, including huge fireplaces and a beautiful bath are the cherry on top after a long day in the snow. We loved our nightly turn down service, the restaurant in the lodge and a free shuttle into downtown Jasper. You could really spend an entire visit to Jasper just at the Fairmont- between the spa treatments and outdoor ice skating track, but force yourself to get all bundled up and head into town and the national park.

Others in the national park:

• Tonquin Inn, with easy access to the ski trails
• Jasper East Cabins

Downtown Jasper:

• Mount Robson Inn
• Park Place Inn

If you want to start planning your own trip to Jasper National Park, think about what type of vacation you want- are you all about the adventure? Do you want downtime to spa and nap? Are you going for a long weekend or a weeklong trip? All of those details will help you nail down the specifics of your Jasper National Park vacation and make it truly special.

What to do:

If you spend any amount of time scrolling the @TourismJasper Instagram page, and I highly suggest you do to get inspired for your trip, you’ll immediately feel the need to get out and explore- and you can do just that in Jasper. The Canadian Rocky Mountains are awe-inspiring and truly make you feel so small in this huge world. In winter, there are many nights where you’ll look up and see thousands of stars and even watch the sky light up with the most amazing hues from the Northern Lights display. I’d suggest planning one major activity per day, so you have plenty of down time and rest and can give each adventure your all. (At a certain point, your toes and fingers will thank you for the time indoors to warm back up) Here’s what I’d add to my itinerary:

• Maligne Canyon Ice Hike (this is a full day experience)
• Dog Sledding
• Snowshoe Hike
• Photograph Dark Sky Preserve
• Ice Skating
• Spa time
• Food and Brewery Tour