Marmot Basin Ski Resort Guide
Marmot Basin near the town of Jasper in Alberta, is a ski resort inside the beautiful Jasper National Park. The area surrounding Marmot is filled with great views and landscapes that you won’t tire off. Much quieter than the resorts of Banff, Marmot Basin is a weekend ski destination for the locals in Edmonton. This means Monday- Friday you can feel alone at Marmot and that is not a bad thing. The lack of crowds can mean that fresh tracks can last for a couple of days following new snowfall, especially if you are prepared to hike for it.
MARMOT BASIN FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Having spent my first winter season at Marmot Basin it feels like a home from home for me. Arriving into the town of Jasper the locals were incredibly welcoming and I enjoyed my stay there. The Jasper in January celebrations were great as the whole town comes out. If you can plan your trip for this period I would recommend it. You will also receive discounts on lift tickets and lodging during this time. It is noticeable how cold it can be skiing or snowboarding at Marmot Basin and during January the lifts were shut for a few days due to the low temperatures. Come prepared, be sensible and you will have an awesome time.
MARMOT BASIN SKI AREA
Marmot has one of the highest base areas in Canada at 1698m. This helps not only maintain a high quality of snow but also ensures a longer season(November- May). With over 900m of vertical drop and 91 runs, including the new Tres Hombres area, Marmot is big enough to keep everyone happy.
The terrain is varied at Marmot with mellow beginner terrain accessible from the top of Eagle Ridge and the Canadian Rockies Express chairs meaning that first timers can still explore the mountain. For those wanting more challenge head to Eagles East which has lots of great double black diamond terrain. Hikes to Cornice and Peak Run are both well worth the effort and the views from the top breathtaking.
From a personal stand point, this was a fantastic resort for teaching at with a split of runs fairly even between beginner, intermediate and advanced trails. As a result, Marmot is therefore a fantastic place to learn or progress your riding. Marmot has two terrain parks, a beginner park with small rail and box features and a main park with a progression to larger jumps and rails.
Marmot Basin has 7 chairlifts with the Canadian Rockies Express being the fastest lift taking you from the base area. The Knob chair is slower but accesses some of the best terrain on the mountain so is well worth waiting for. The beginners slope School House has its own chair making sure life easy for never evers.
MARMOT BASIN SKI AREA BY ABILITY
BEGINNERS TERRAIN MARMOT BASIN
Marmot Basin is a fantastic resort to learn at. The Marmot Basin Ski School has two dedicated areas for beginners lessons. The Magic Carpet, next to the ski school base, and the School House Chair, a dedicated area with a few green trails; School House, Tranquilizer and Home Run. One real advantage of learning to ski and snowboard at Marmot Basin is that green terrain can be accessed even at the highest points of the mountain. This means that as a beginner you are not restricted to one area and can explore the who hill. Basin Run from the top of the Canadian Rockies Express Chair is a must for beginners.
INTERMEDIATE TERRAIN MARMOT BASIN
Marmot has plenty to offer intermediate skiers and snowboarders. Some nice groomed blue trails are available from the top of the Canadian Rockies Express Chair, whereas there are plenty of nice single black diamonds to progress onto. Highway 16 and Show Off are fantastic groomers when the conditions are right with lots of fun to be found of the Knob Chair and in the Bowls after fresh snow.
ADVANCED TERRAIN MARMOT BASIN
There is some really good advanced terrain at Marmot Basin. Eagles East was certainly an area I loved with a number of really interesting routes back down to the Eagle Express Quad. The top of Eagles East essentially is a ridge where you can drop in where you fancy. The glades in this area are also really fun. If you don’t mind a hike, then a trip to Cornice and the Marmot Peak are well worth the effort. The recently opened Tres Hombres area and Caribou Knoll are great places to go in search of freshies.
MARMOT BASIN FREESTYLE TERRAIN
Marmot Basin has two terrain parks. There is a mini rail park at mid mountain, which has a mixture of small rails and boxes that are mostly ride on. The main terrain park is near the base of the resort and has various lines to follow. The large terrain park is normally laid out with a medium to large jump line and other combinations of rails and boxes.
LIFTS AT MARMOT BASIN
Marmot basin has six chair lifts and a magic carpet. The lift infrastructure at Marmot Basin is a mixture of old and new, with the Canadian Rockies Express being the premium lift. The Canadian Rockies Express transports skiers and snowboarders from the base to the second highest lift accessed point in 8 minutes. The Eagle Express, Paradise and Eagle Ridge Chairs are all Quads with the Knob Chair being a slow double.
MARMOT BASIN SNOW RECORD
Marmot basin’s snow record isn’t anything to rave about with on average only 3m of the fresh stuff falling each winter. What makes Marmot stand out is its location, guaranteeing cold conditions and good quality snow and also low footfall. Marmot can feel like a mountain you have to yourself Mon-Fri which equates to less competition for first tracks.
MARMOT BASIN PISTE MAP
SEASON DATES
Marmot Basin has a long season lasting between November and May. The conditions at Marmot are particularly cold, especially throughout January and February.
MARMOT BASIN LIFT TICKETS
For up to date information on the Marmot Basin lift passes follow this link.
TRAVEL TO MARMOT BASIN
WHERE IS MARMOT BASIN?
Marmot Basin is located near the town of Jasper in the Jasper National Park. Getting to Marmot isn’t a short journey but the Icefields Parkway is one of the most scenic roads to drive down. You will not regret the commute.
DRIVING TO MARMOT BASIN
Driving to Marmot is an experience in itself. The Icefields Parkway has been voted amongst the top 10 scenic drives in the world. The road from Lake Louise to Jasper certainly makes it worth the effort of driving past the Banff resorts.
As Marmot Basin is located within the boundary of Jasper National Park you will need to pay to enter the park.
PARKING AT MARMOT BASIN
Marmot Basin has 4 parking lots on the hill which is free and on a first come first served basis. The layout of Marmot allows you to ski back to your car throughout the day if necessary to pick up that extra layer or maybe some snacks!
HOW TO GET TO MARMOT BASIN
INTERNATIONAL
The closest international airports to Jasper at Edmonton (229m) and Calgary (251m). Coming from Europe there are more likely to be affordable flights into Calgary.
From both Calgary and Edmonton tour operators offer transfers to Jasper. I used SUNDOG
MARMOT BASIN ACCOMMODATION
There is no in resort accommodation at Marmot Basin with the majority of guests staying in nearby Jasper. Personally I stayed at the Whistlers Inn which had the benefit of a rooftop hot tub with mountain views. In Jasper you will find everything from hostels to luxury lodge style accommodation.
MARMOT BASIN PROS
Marmot Basin is a quiet ski resorts where you will rarely see crowds. I spent a season riding at Marmot and barely remember a lift line.
Marmot Basin is perfect for beginners who can explore the whole mountain on green terrain
Marmot Basin’s Eagles East area offers plenty of ungroomed terrain, chutes, drops, and glades for advanced riders to enjoy.
Marmot Basin has a longer ski season than most ski resorts.
Driving to Jasper and Marmot Basin is an experience in itself.
MARMOT BASIN CONS
Marmot Basin gets incredibly cold in January. Make sure to ride with a friend and watch out for frost nip.
With no on site accommodation at Marmot Basin you will need to commute from Jasper on a daily basis. Marmot Basin shuttles are available on a regular schedule and car parking is available at the resort.
MARMOT BASIN GALLERY
MARMOT BASIN ACTIVITIES
Activities at Marmot Basin will all happen away from the resort and back in or around Jasper. Walking in Maligne Canyon is an awesome winter experience. The Ice Walk at Maligne Canyon takes you deep into the canyon surrounded by tall walls of ice. A similarly epic winter experience is ice skating on Pyramid Lake. There are two ice-rinks available in Jasper itself, but what is more Canadian then heading to a frozen lake for a skate. Back in the town there is a cinema, curling, and a number of bars / pubs to while away the evening hours.
MARMOT BASIN FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS MARMOT BASIN GOOD FOR BEGINNERS
Marmot Basin is an excellent ski resort for beginners to visit. The dedicated learning area at School House offers the perfect gradient to perfect those turns. The real benefit of learning at Marmot is the ability to ski from the top of the mountain via green trails. This means that once beginners are feeling confident they can explore the whole hill.
IS MARMOT BASIN A MOUNTAIN?
Marmot Basin ski area is located across four mountain faces. There is 3000ft of vertical drop at Marmot Basin with the highest point being 8,570ft (2,612m)
HOW FAR IS MARMOT BASIN FROM JASPER?
Marmot Basin ski resort is a 20km drive South of the town of Jasper, AB. There are a number of daily shuttles that run between Jasper and Marmot Basin.
WHAT TIME DO THE LIFTS RUN AT MARMOT BASIN?
9:00 - 16:00 with the exception of School House chair which runs until 16:30.
DO YOU NEED A PARK PASS TO GO TO MARMOT BASIN?
Yes, Marmot Basin is within the Jasper National Park so you will need a valid park pass if you are driving to Marmot Basin.
GET IN TOUCH
Thanks for reading this Marmot Basin ski resort guide and I hope it has answered many of your questions. I’ve given my opinion but I’d love to hear from you in the comments or via the socials. Have you been to Marmot Basin ski resort? What were your opinions? Which is your favourite Alberta ski area?
MARMOT BASIN SKI RESORT INFO
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