As far as dark sky preserves go, Jasper is Disney World. Boasting several iconic stargazing spots all within a short drive from town (including the bridge to Pyramid Island and the beach at Lake Annette) nighttime in the national park is magical. But it comes with an asterisk. If clouds obscure views or rain wrecks your star map, the experience can be less than ideal. To get jaw dropping starry views with a good weather guarantee, it’s best to book with the Jasper Planetarium.
With a 40-seat domed theatre located on the lakeside grounds of the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and the largest, most powerful telescopes in the Rockies, the Jasper Planetarium is the local source for guided tours of the universe.
Knowledgeable staff tell local legends about constellations, show recent views of the northern lights as seen from iconic Jasper locations, and answer questions.
The Jasper Planetarium offers fun, funny, inspiring and interactive experiences most nights, year-round (the Telescope & Planetarium combo is the most popular). But it takes things to a new level during the Jasper Dark Sky Festival.
Here are all the various tour options available from the Jasper Planetarium during this year’s festival. See the complete schedule here.
TELESCOPE & PLANETARIUM COMBO FULL TOUR
Nightly at 9:00 pm
Includes signature Planetarium Experience and Telescope Experience! If skies are cloudy, they offer a free raincheck and lots of non-weather dependent activities, like the chance to touch a rock from Mars!
SIGNATURE PLANETARIUM EXPERIENCE
Nightly at 7:45 pm
An updated version of their most popular dome theatre experience! Join one of their knowledgeable staff members for a tour of local constellations and auroras, views of Jasper from space, right to the edge of the universe!
TELESCOPE EXPERIENCE ONLY
Nightly at 9:40 pm
As Mars makes its closest approach to Earth in October 2020, come see live views via the Jasper Planetarium’s 4K video telescopes.
DINNER & TELESCOPES ON A MOUNTAINTOP
Certain evenings
Their signature Dark Sky Festival tour! Available with or without meal option (in-partnership with The Jasper Skytram).
OPEN-TOP TOURING BUS DOME, SCOPE, BINOCULAR DARK SKY TOUR
Certain evenings
Stargaze in style! Enjoy the Jasper Planetarium dome, telescope and binocular tours with transportation in a genuine Circa 1939 open-roof Jammer tour coach (in-partnership with SunDog Tours).
‘PEAK-NIC’ UNDER THE STARS
Oct. 22 at 7:00 pm
Join staff from Jasper Food Tours for a short hike to a local lookout, then participate in a backcountry cooking demo and enjoy a hot meal, followed by a dark sky experience with staff from The Jasper Planetarium (in-partnership with Jasper Food Tours.)
DAYTIME PLANETARIUM/SOLAR TELESCOPE EXPERIENCE
Certain days at 12:00 pm
Participate in the All-Request LIVE planetarium experience PLUS check out the Sun, Moon, and other daytime sights in their 4K solar video scope (includes rain-check and admission to evening telescope tour).
NEW PLANETARIUM EXPERIENCE: FROM JASPER TO JUPITER (AND BEYOND!)
Certain days at 2:00 pm
Venture from the wonders of Jasper to the edge of the cosmos in this new experience that takes full-advantage of the capabilities of the Jasper Planetarium dome theatre!
NEW PLANETARIUM EXPERIENCE: MOUNTAINS OF MARS (AND JASPER)
Certain days at 1:00 pm
Take an immersive, interactive journey with one of the Jasper Planetarium’s experienced local astronomy guides from the mountains, canyons, and glaciers of Jasper and see how they compare to similar wonders on the Red Planet during its closest approach to Earth!
NEW PLANETARIUM EXPERIENCE: ALL-REQUEST LIVE (YOU DECIDE!)
Certain days at 12:00 pm
Have you ever wanted to fly around space in your own planetarium? Ever had a space question you wanted to ask and see the answer in person? Then this is the interactive experience for you!
BOOK-SIGNING AND FREE SOLAR TELESCOPE VIEWS
Multiple-award-winning author and Jasper Planetarium General Manager Peter McMahon will be on-hand to sign copies of his bestselling book The Space Adventurer’s Guide with safely-filtered video views of the Sun at the Jasper Yellowhead Museum.