Jasper National Park's Maligne Lake recognized by Reader's Digest as one of Canada’s Best
Reader’s Digest Editors name Maligne Lake, home to the historic Spirit Island as Canada’s Best Boat Cruise of 30 extraordinary places, things and people.
Jasper, Alberta | Calling it "Alberta's turquoise jewel", Readers Digest has recognized the cruise to Spirit Island on Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park as the Best Boat Tour in Canada in the magazine's 2nd Annual 30 Best of Canada selection.
This year Reader's Digest editors called upon their subscribers to assist in the search for extraordinary places, unique things and great people and the 90 minute Maligne Lake Boat Tour which takes visitors “past some of the most breathtaking scenery on earth” was the hands down favorite.
The second largest glacially fed lake in the world, the Canadian Rockies destination is known for its crystal waters and wildlife sightings. From May to October of each year, the boat tour departs on the hour up to eight times each day taking guests to Jasper National Park’s oldest attraction, Spirit Island. A walk around this spectacular and famous viewpoint, overlooking the mountain-ringed southern shores of Maligne Lake, is the highlight of the cruise.
"It is indeed an accolade to be recognized along with special places like the Cabot Trail and Whistler-Blackcomb" said Maligne Lake's manager, Pat Crowley. “More-over when one considers the steep competition from high caliber boat tours in gorgeous places in Canada like Desolation Sound, Gros Morne, Nunavut and the Yukon - just to name a few - this is a very real mark of distinction".
The 70-year-old tour is known for its' distinctly-coloured crystal waters, in-your-face glaciers and of course Spirit Island, one of the most famous of Canadian Rockies landmarks.
The diminutive island, the destination point of the cruise is well hidden near the far end of the fiord-styled lake and surrounded, by miles of wilderness. Access is by boat only, there are no roads. At the island passengers disembark for the short walk to the viewpoint overlooking the southern shores of Maligne Lake and the encircling mountain set known as the Hall of the Gods.
At 5,500 ft., Maligne Lake just 30 miles southeast of the town of Jasper is home to one of the oldest attractions in Jasper National Park. Maligne Lake offers an array of activities with excellent trout fishing, picturesque hiking and canoeing, wildlife viewing opportunities, fully guided tours and two recognized historic buildings for the history buff. Maligne Lake received Jasper National Park's first Heritage Tours designation due to the knowledge level of its staff and their interpretive presentation skills.
Pat Crowley
(780) 852-3370
Maligne Tours Ltd.
