JASPER IN JANUARY 2012

This page is brought to you by Wild Mountain, Jasper's largest selection of The North Face gear, now selling Marmot lift tickets.

If it's Friday night and you find yourself in the Town of Jasper. To say the atmosphere is lively is an understatement. Every time I've paid a visit to Jasper it's taken me some time to get a drink; and not because the service is slow, in fact it's anything but. It's because I'm just too damn busy saying "Hello!" to old friends, both from Jasper and others who are in town for one of Jasper's biggest and best events of the year: Jasper in January.

Jasper in January, which will kick off January 13, 2012 with parties at the Whistle Stop Pub, Papa George's Restaurant, and the Athabasca hotel, will run through to Jan. 29. It is the perfect opportunity to pay a visit to Jasper and Marmot Basin (the local ski hill). There are plenty of package deals, activities, events and live music to make your visit truly enjoyable.

There are many other events, including jam sessions, wine and cheese parties, live bands, photos ops, family days, dog sledding, ice climbing, and much, much more. Check back here every so often for updates, including a complete schedule, package deals, and special events at all Jasper hotels and restaurants.

Even when you don't know anyone, you can be sure someone (and not just the staff) is going to give you a smile and ask how you are doing. Don't be afraid to get into a conversation.

If it's a local, they are often too happy to share some insider tips about any of the Jasper in January's highlights, and if it's an out-of-towner like yourself, you will most likely run into each other again during the January festivities, so why not make friends early.