1) Mt Robson: If you are looking for a short ride to explore the area and sure to see some of the local wildlife, travel west along the Yellowhead Hwy to Mt Robson. There are lots of areas for sightseeing and the MT Robson Inn has a restaurant if you get hungry along the way. Mt. Robson Park is home to the highest peaks in British Columbia, with Mt. Robson towering above the valley at 3954 m., a 124 km (75 miles) drive along Highway 16 from Jasper, Alberta.

Valemount is on Highway 5, a few miles south of the junction of Highway 16 (known as the Yellowhead Highway) at Tete Jaune Cache and McBride is north west of the junction as you head towards Prince George.

More information

Driving directions

2) Johnston Canyon: (and other stops along the way) - If you want to hike on a mild to moderate elevation rise, and like the idea of seeing a whole series of waterfalls then consider driving to amazing Johnston Canyon. The self guided interpretive trail will lead you up the canyon. See the effects of rapid erosion and learn why the canyon is eroding so quickly. If you travel to the end of the trail, 5.5 kilometers you find the "Ink Pots" where 6 cool springs bubble out of the ground year round. Glacial sediments are behind the beautiful aqua colors. Bring lots of film for this hike. Johnson Canyon

Along the Way you will go through (or off to the side) of Lake Louise. Be sure you stop in as it's almost impossible, upon first seeing Lake Louise, not to gasp. The beautiful, milky blue lake rests at the foot of Victoria Glacier, which rises majestically behind it, capped by snow and ice year-round. First sighted by Europeans in 1882, the lake has become one of Canada's best-loved and most-visited resorts. The village that grew up around it is reassuringly compact. Set on the lake itself, the Château Lake Louise,  built by the Canadian Pacific Railroad, is now the focus of shopping, dining and recreation on the upper slopes of the mountain. Farther below lies the village itself, which is composed mainly of resorts and the small Samson Mall. The entire area offers a host of leisure opportunities, including skiing, hiking, fishing and biking.

Moraine Lake is a short distance away. This link has some nice pictures and an area map of the Lake Louise area.

Driving directions

3) Emerald Lake Lodge - Emerald Lake Lodge is located 20 minutes West of Lake Louise in Yoho National Park. Take the Trans Canada Highway heading West towards Field and Golden BC.   Emerald Lake   The turnoff to Emerald Lake Lodge is located 1km on the highway past Field, BC. There is a very nice restaurant located at the lodge where you can go for lunch or venture a short distance back to Field as they have some good local food.   

Driving directions

4) A Day of Local area attractions - Take the day to ride around the local area and see:

Columbia Icefield
The Icefield is 103 km (63 miles) from Jasper and is the largest glacier accessible by road anywhere. Over 10 m (33 ft) of snow falls each winter at elevations of over 3,000 m (9,845 ft) after moist ocean winds climb 2,300 m (7,500 ft) on the west side of Mount Columbia. The glaciers at the top of the Snow Dome are a mile thick, and you can take a "Snocoach" ride up the glacier, or hike up yourself (remember, its cold, even in July). There is an interpretive center, restaurant, and the only gas station between Jasper and Banff, open from May to September.
Photos Columbia Icefield

Athabasca Falls
 This chasm through which the Athabasca River falls about 30 metres is a spectacular must-see. It is only 30 km from Jasper. You can cross the chasm on a bridge and take pictures from the bottom of the drop, to see where the river narrows to just a few feet across.
Athabasca Falls

Jasper Tram
Just 3 km from town, the Tram takes you 937 m (3,063 ft) up The Whistlers. There are several hiking trails from the top to nearby peaks, with snowcovering extending into the middle of summer. The Tram provides great views of the town, the Athabasca River, and pyramid-shaped Mount Robson (Canada's second highest mountain) over 60 kilometres away to the northwest. Mount Robson is so tall it often has its own weather system!
Jasper Tram

Maligne Lake
 This 22 km (14 miles)long lake is featured in all the photographs of Jasper and is the largest in the mountain parks. Maligne Lake is up to 96 m (315 ft) deep and offers boat rentals and boat cruises around the lake. You can also explore the many hiking trails in the area.
Maligne Lake

Miette Hot Springs in Jasper National Park, the Hottest of all the Canadian Rockies Hot Springs
61 km east of Jasper townsite
From Jasper, proceed east on highway 16 for 44 km to the Pocahontas Bungalows and the Miette Road junction. From Hinton, proceed west on highway 16 for 34 km to Pocahontas Bungalows and the Miette Road junction. From there, proceed south on the Miette Road. Miette Hot Springs are at the end of Miette Road, 17 km ahead.
Miette Hot Springs

Driving directions

5) Jasper to Rocky Mountain House - Highway 11 to Rocky Mountain House has some great scenery and allows for some  brisk sport riding.

Driving directions