Up, up, and away!

While we've been to Jasper a couple of times through the years, one of the things we had never done was take the Jasper SkyTram up Whistlers mountain. This trip we finally remedied that oversight.

The SkyTram was built in the 1960's and whisks visitors a little more than 1,000 meters (about 3,000 feet) up in elevation over a 7 1/2 minute ride. If you're afraid of heights this one's not for you but needless to say the views from the gondola as it sways in the breeze are spectacular and only get better the higher one goes. Much along the likes of a European gondola the slender cable stretches high above the ground as it whisks you to the upper station which interestingly seems to be only about 3/4 of the way to the summit. From the upper station it's a brisk (that's mountain talk for steep) 45 minute hike the rest of the way to the summit.

The SkyTram even allows dogs and ours got their own ticket. They were a little nervous about putting paws into a swaying contraption full (and I mean 30 other people full) of folks from around the globe anxious to test their mettle in the rarified mountain air.

Once at the top you can wander various trails and spend as long as you like before the trek back down. For the really hardy there is a hiking trail, 6 1/2 miles one way, if you're so inclined to use foot power all the way up or down. For the less intrepid there is a full service restaurant at the upper station and for early risers (on the Tram before 9 a.m.) and twilight riders (after 5 p.m.) a breakfast or dinner is included in your ticket.

We watched the weather closely and managed to pick a day without clouds. We were able to see Mount Robson in the distance which according to the Tram folks is only visible 12 days or so a year. Robson is the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies, topping out just shy of 13,000 feet. That might not sound that high to my Colorado readers but the elevation gain from bottom to top in the Canadian Rockies surpasses that of 14'ers back home. And it's high enough that it makes it's own weather which is why it's usually socked in and obscured by clouds.

So, if you make the trek up this way, my suggestion is to not wait until your 2nd or 3rd trip to Jasper before plunking down the $47 Canadian (currently the U.S. dollar has a favorable exchange rate where $1 Canadian equates to about 60-70 cents American) to take the beautiful ride on the Jasper SkyTram!