Great music, great times at Jasper in January

BARB MARTOWSKI

The Lester Quitzau Electric Trio plays at the Best Western Jasper Inn Thursday, Jan. 28. Courtesy LESTERQ Website

JASPER, AB — If it's Friday night and you find yourself in the Town of Jasper, you need to be at the De'd Dog Bar & Grill, a funky local's pub housed in the Astoria Hotel on Connaught Drive (main street). 

To say the atmosphere is lively is an understatement. Every time I've paid a visit to the De'd Dog, it's taken me some time to get a drink – and that's not because the service is slow, anything but. It's because I'm usually running into old friends, both from Jasper and others who are in town for the weekend. I'm just too damn busy saying hello!

Even when you know no one, 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 while you are waiting for your drinks to arrive.

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

Laid back 'tude

The decor is of the tough kind – solid wood tables, chairs and floors that can handle a ski-boot kicking. Combined with plenty of paraphernalia adoring the walls and superb staff, the Dog is anything but pretentious. This is where you head to after the hill, before or after dinner or just for the evening.

The music is kept to a low roar and there are pool tables and televisions that are permanently tuned to whatever sport may be televised, but honestly, unless it's a big game, I'm not so sure people pay any attention to them. This place, with it's great selection of domestic and imported beers, is all about relaxing and reconnecting.

If you find yourself in the mood to go dancing later in the evening, than head to Pete's on Patricia (Street) where DJs spin out blues and alternative music. 

The night I was there, the large dance floor was packed and I don't think there was room for more than 10 more people after I had arrived. The average age could have been anywhere from 20 to 50 – meaning that the only reason you shouldn't go to Pete's is that you are too old at heart.

While the dancers were spilling out and in amongst the tables, a local den mother, carrying a hockey stick with shot glasses glued to it, was busy negotiating the crowd looking for some of the hockey team she was suppose to be partying with. Somehow she has lost her team, but it wasn't keeping her from having a good time. The hockey stick was the perfect opening line.

Hitting the dance floor

If all this sounds a little too raucous for you, than might I suggest a visit to Champs Sports Lounge located in the Sawridge Hotel. It's a relaxing place that boasts over 50 different martinis, comfortable sofas and large plasma screens to watch the big game – a great place to catch some of the upcoming Olympic coverage if you find yourself in Jasper verses Whistler.

Alternately, for something completely different, head to Papa George's, also located in the Astoria, which is a fine dining restaurant, but it has a wine bar where you can treat yourself and your mates to some congenial conversation and a glass or two from the extensive wine cellar (in full view) which houses some 1,300 bottles of wine. 

If restaurant manager, Patriee Fortin is in the house, he's only too happy to share his amazing knowledge of wine and give you a tour of his cellar. In fact, there's nothing he likes better than showcasing the various taste changes a wine can deliver, depending on how you decant it – or when you drink it.

A small group of us joined him for a bit of a wine tasting, and when he offered us up a glass (straight from the bottle) of a particular wine while he was describing it's nuances, one of my mates just wasn't finding what Fortin was describing. In fact, he said it was weak. Fortin than poured the wine into a decanter and let it sit for a while; then and only then did my mate start appreciating the complexities of the wine.

Fortin's favourite saying is that "Wines are like women," but I leave it to you to make a visit to find out what he means by this.

Music line-up

Jasper in January, which kicks off this weekend with a street party Saturday night, and runs through to Jan. 31, is the perfect opportunity to pay a visit to Jasper and Marmot Basin. There are plenty of package deals, activities, events and live music to make your visit truly enjoyable.

Some gigs not to miss include Edmonton rock band, Ten Second Epic playing at the Athabasca Hotel this weekend. The Atha B is following up Jan. 22 and 23 with Tupelo Honey, a band with an impressive resume of opening for some big names such as Sam Roberts, Bif Naked and Bon Jovi. The Atha B winds up Jasper in January with alternative rockers, Social Code Jan. 29 and 30.

On Jan. 28, those who love the blues won't want to miss The Lester Quitzau Electric Trio playing at the Best Western Jasper Inn. This talented well-loved Canadian multi-award winning blues and roots musician can make the strings of a guitar sing like you have never heard before. Trust me, I have been a fan of Lester for a long time. His latest album, the same light, rips and definitely showcases the man's many gifts – as a musician and a writer. 

There are many other events, including jam sessions at the Whistle Stop Pub on Wednesdays and Sundays, so check out www.jaspercanadianrockies.com for a complete schedule, package deals and special events at all Jasper hotels and restaurants, including those mentioned above.

Related Articles

A good pint is a great ending

JASPER, AB — Whether you’ve spent the day skiing, snowboarding, snow shoeing or dogsledding, at the end of the day there is nothing like a good pint of beer to quench your thirst, especially when you are reliving …

A warm welcome awaits in the Town of Jasper

JASPER, AB — Located approx 350 kilometres west of Edmonton, Alberta, in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, you will find a place that is unlike most other ski resort towns. Jasper is its own little piece of …

A local’s low-down on Jasper’s aprés ski culture

JASPER, AB — You’re legs are throbbing, your skin is chapped and you’ve got a wicked case of toque-hair. Isn’t life in Jasper great?

This country inn offers delightful cuisine

JASPER, AB — Sometimes deciding on a simple meal of tomato soup followed by a steak is not as simple in taste as it sounds, especially when you are dining at Jasper's Country Inn Restaurant.