Background
Hinton was established in 1911, when the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (now Canadian National Railway) built a railroad station between Edmonton and the end of the line, on the Pacific coast. At some point in time, the rail operations were relocated west to Jasper, Alberta, within the borders of the spectacular Jasper National Park.
However, in July 2024, when an enormous forest fire burned 33% of the town of Jasper, railroad operations were forced to relocate back to Hinton. As a result, the population of Hinton has been increasing, putting pressure on its services, especially its healthcare services.
In September 2025, the rail operations will be permanently established in Hinton, resulting in the permanent relocation of about 200 rail workers and their families.
The Town
Hinton, with a 2024 population of 10,042, is located at an altitude of 990m (3,250 feet) in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the largest mountain range in North America. The entire region is replete with wilderness recreation:
- 300km of groomed trails for cross-country skiing, hiking, and mountain biking.
- A 1.5-hour drive from Hinton is Willmore Wilderness Park, which offers backcountry camping, hiking, and equestrian opportunities, in addition to fishing, hunting, and geocaching.
- Only 20 minutes from world-famous Jasper National Park (which includes Marmot Basin ski resort and its 91 runs – and no waits for the lifts!).
- Although not a “wilderness” activity, Hinton is home to the 18-hole Hinton Golf Club.
The economic base of the town is natural resource extraction/processing, tourism, and railroad operations.
The cost of living in Hinton is significantly less than in larger urban centres. For example, apartments range from C$1,450-$1,600 for a two-bedroom unit. Best of all, houses with 3+ bedrooms and 2+ baths range from C$360,000-C$830,000!
Residents describe Hinton as a community which has a special and unique camaraderie built upon a shared love of wilderness.
