I agree, Ian. The par 3s are the stand-outs at Jasper; 15 in particular. Perhaps it is the best short par 3 in Canada. Off the top of my head, I can't think of another more interesting one. I don't think anyone could get away with building such a small green these days; especially on a course, such as Jasper, affiliated with a resort.
One of the most interesting things, to me, about Thompson's architecture was his consistent use of long par 3s, in the 240 yard range. 240 yards was a long way in 1925, when Jasper opened. And it still is... well, for some of us anyway!
#16 at Capilano, #4 and #9 at Jasper, #8 at St. George's and #12 at Highlands Links come to mind. They are all Thompson-designed par 3 holes that exceed 230 yards. The 9th at Jasper and 12th at Highlands Links extend 240 yards!
Today, the only "weak link" in Thompson's reportoire are his short par 5s. Too many guys are hitting the ball way to far for Thompson's "1920s angles" to effect them nowadays. Sad thing is, those short par 5s, such as the 10th at Jasper, present some really, really cool strategic options. I guess the strategies are still somewhat relevant to those of us who still hit the ball 230 yards off the tee. But, again, they don't effect the the 120mph swingers using PING drivers and a Titleist Pro-Vs.
Even those long par 3s, mentioned above, are much different today, with guys hitting irons instead of woods; even drivers at Jasper and Highlands Links. 240 yards could have been driver for even some of the best players in the 1920s and '30s; which is really neat.
On that note, it's impossible for today's golf architects to present a par 3 hole that requires a driver.
We've built a 240 yarder this year at Blackhawk GC. Discussing it a few weeks ago, we came to realize that without any wind, professionals are still going to hit an iron. How do you get a (metal) wood in the hands of the best players on a par 3 in this modern age? We need 300 yards plus!
If the USGA isn't going to do anything about the ball, they're eventually going to have to change the par standards currently in place. The maximum distance of par 3 holes will have to elevate to 300 yards or more (!), and par 4s to 550 (!)...
Scary.