Revelstoke Mountain Resort Guide
Revelstoke has the largest vertical descent in North America and if that wasn’t enough to catch your intrigue it also has some of the best terrain. The powder-rich ski resort is fairly young compared to many of the well-known Canadian ski areas yet Revelstoke is already making a name for itself. Opened in December 2007 and set amongst the Selkirk Mountains visitors to Revelstoke Mountain Resort can expect copious amounts of fluffy Selkirk powder and some epic terrain.
Photo @Takahiro
REVELSTOKE SKI AREA
With 75 trails at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, you could be forgiven for thinking Revy is a medium-sized ski area… but Revy is huge. With the largest vertical drop in North America and over 3000 acres of skiable terrain Revelstoke has plenty to offer visitors.
To access the ski area at Revelstoke you will need to take the Revelation gondola which has two stops. The mid-station is fairly low and serves the lower mountain which consists of some mellow green and blue terrain. Continuing past the mid-station the Revelation gondola continues to the Mackenzie Outpost at 1690m where skiers can head to the short Stellar chair, Ripper, or the famous Stoke chair.
Ripper chair mainly accesses green and blue trails however black Denver Dollars is in this area and runs directly beneath the chair. From the Ripper chair, there is also plenty of Revelstoke’s famous glades skiing to be found with; Powder Monkey Glades, Back 40 Glades and Glades of Glory all in this area. If you say one thing about Revelstoke they’ve got their trail names perfect!
The real interest at Revelstoke is found off the Stoke chair. The Stoke chair provides the closest access to the North Bowl and South Bowl and has some spicy black trails nearby, think Jalapeno and Hot Sauce.
REVELSTOKE LIFTS
Revelstokes main lift is the Revelation gondola. The Revelation gondola runs from the resort base area to the Mackenzie Outpost. The Revelation gondola is a two-part lift that skiers will need to depart and re-enter at the mid-station. Above the upper station of the Revelation gondola, there are three further lifts; Ripper, Stellar and Stoke. These chairs access the upper mountain with Stoke accessing the famous North and South Bowls.
REVELSTOKE LOCAL
Friend of the channel Matt, better known for his Youtube channel BRAMSKI, has been a Revelstoke local for the last couple of seasons. Because of Matt’s extensive local knowledge, I’ve enlisted his help to ensure you get the best information on Revy. If you find the information Matt provides in this section useful then why not hit this link and subscribe?
REVELSTOKE FIRST IMPRESSIONS
MATT WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF REVELSTOKE?
I first noticed the gentle rumble of the trains passing through. But surprisingly it didn’t keep me up at night, it rocked me to sleep! Being from the UK, the street signs took some getting used to. It's all just numbers by North, South, East and West. All the shops, bars and restaurants are on two streets and roughly a 5 minute walk to get to. Very few of the tourist workers had arrived yet so it was very quiet, but the locals were super friendly.
There were still two months before the resort opened for skiing but taking the 10-minute drive from town was worth it. I was curious to see only one gondola at the base, a big hotel, two restaurants and some very nice private lodges (or chalets). You cannot see the top of the mountain, so your imagination runs wild on what it is actually like up there. Immediately I was trying to picture the snow falling and carving my first turns. Opposite the resort, the scenery of the Columbia River and Monashee Mountain Range is breathtaking.
REVY IS WELL-KNOWN AS AN EXPERT RESORT, BUT WHAT DOES REVELSTOKE OFFER FOR BEGINNERS?
It is true that 45% of the resort terrain is suited towards advanced skiers. But there is an entire area of the mountain designated for beginner riders. The Stellar Chairlift serves its own zone making it perfect for those learning to ski. Any traffic uphill has to go around the area.
WHAT DOES REVELSTOKE OFFER FOR INTERMEDIATES?
If you like long, rolling blues then Revelstoke has tonnes of them. I love the deep powder the resort offers but I can’t help myself when I see fresh corduroy on a blue groomer, (aka piste for the European readers). A personal favourite is “Hot Sauce” and if you ever get the opportunity to experience it on the first tracks program, it's an unforgettable experience. It's worth mentioning some of the intermediate runs start off as blacks due to the steepness at the top of the mountain before changing to blues as they stretch out. Snow Rodeo is another recommendation, and it's exactly like it sounds.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVANCED TERRAIN AT REVELSTOKE?
I’ve already mentioned the steepness. The resort is also renowned for its high-quality snow and there’s lots of it. 10.5 metres of snow falls on average in winter here. To put that in perspective, a high-altitude resort in Europe might get 3.5m in a good year. The ‘Champagne Pow’ pulls many expert skiers in from across the world. Riders have four different powder bowls to choose from, divided by chutes and endless glades. But that's just for starters.
REVY IS FAMOUS FOR ITS GLADES SO WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO SKI DURING A SNOWSTORM IN REVELSTOKE?
It depends on which way the wind is blowing during the storm and if ski patrol has opened the terrain. Safety is a big priority at the resort and avalanches do happen. If it's the ‘perfect storm’ then head to North or South Bowl for the magic.
WHERE IS THE FIRST PLACE YOU HEAD ON A REVELSTOKE POWDER DAY?
That’s a secret Simon! But it really does vary depending on the conditions. Tally-Ho Glades is a personal favourite for a morning warm-up in the trees.
When the legs are pumping, I love a hike to the Sub-Peak before dropping down into South Bowl.
DOES REVELSTOKE HAVE ANY FREESTYLE TERRAIN?
The main terrain park features medium to large jumps with rails and boxes. If you are looking for something more gentle the ‘Gnome Zone’ next door has small-medium jumps with rails and boxes too. I don’t venture in the parks often, but the Gnome Zone can be fun skiing in fresh powder.
REVELSTOKE SNOW HISTORY
As mentioned earlier Revelstoke gets an average of 10.5m of snow during a winter. This makes Revy an exceptional destination to head for powder turns!
Photo @BRAMSKI Youtube
REVELSTOKE SEASON DATES
As with most Northern Hemisphere ski resorts, Revelstoke is open for skiing between December and April with exact dates for each season depending on conditions. For the latest hours of operation at Revelstoke Ski Resort check this link.
REVELSTOKE PISTE MAP
Revelstoke Piste Map
REVELSTOKE PROS
A young and active community in an isolated town.
The locals are very passionate, getting ‘Revelstuck’ is an actual thing.
The resort is a relatively new resort, only opening in 2007, and has huge growth potential.
It’s an all year round tourist destination.
REVELSTOKE CONS
Housing, of all kinds, is the biggest challenge facing the town and many others like it. I don’t have the answers but would always recommend people book or move well in advance for the best options.
REVELSTOKE GALLERY
REVELSTOKE LIFT PASS
For the latest Revelstoke lift pass prices check here however at the time of posting a 6-day adult pass will set you back 884CAD with a 1-day pass at 179CAD. Revelstoke Ski Resort is also included as part of the IKON Pass with 7 days of access available for full IKON Pass holders.
GETTING TO REVELSTOKE
The closest airport to Revelstoke is (YLW) Kelowna International Airport which is a large hub for flights into BC with daily flights from the major cities across Canada. Kelowna is still 2.5 hours drive from Revelstoke so you will need to rent a car or utilise the Revelstoke Transfers service.
If you are staying in downtown Revelstoke and do not have access to a car, you can utilise the local Resort Shuttle which cost 2CAD for each ride. The Resort Shuttle runs daily between downtown and Revelstoke Mountain Resort.
MATT’S FINAL THOUGHTS
Despite Revelstoke being the hottest commodity on the ski circuit, it is the only ski town where I have felt there was an opportunity to begin laying down routes. Perhaps that was due to the two-year work holiday visa, I don’t know. The word ‘community’ gets used a lot in town, that’s because it's what makes Revelstoke so special. Everyone who lives in Revelstoke came from somewhere else and is trying to make a go of it long-term. Work, housing and food costs are all huge challenges to the ‘Canadian Dream’, and yet Revelstokians still find the time to contribute through projects, performances and activities.
Resort Review: Raw riding in Fernie, BC
Picking the transfer bus from Calgary and driving through The Great Plains eagerly awaiting to see the first mini peaks and the start of ‘the rockies’. I’m thinking I can’t wait to get to bed and get going in a resort I have shared a few happy weeks in previous years. Back, with more snowboarding experience under my belt I couldn’t wait to come back and tackle the ‘raw’ terrain that Fernie had to offer…
Glades for day! Fernie is a powder-lovers dream
Located on the ‘powder highway’ and known for it’s excessive snowfall or the ‘Fernie Factor’, it’s a place that is on the list of many powder hounds. The snow is dry, or classic ‘interior BC’ powder and the terrain is rough and ready. Small town charm, friendly locals, what’s not to like?
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Fernie is a classic rocky mountains working town, separate to the ski hill. If you are staying in Downtown Fernie, expect to get a shuttle or better known as the “FernieStoke Shuttle” to the hill. Limited accommodation is located at the hill. Upon arrival at the base (at 600m), you’ll notice Fernie Alpine Resort is towered over by a gigantic headwall - very prone to avalanches with ski patrol constantly doing analysis and bombing to keep it safe, but aesthetically adding to the drama and impressiveness of the terrain. Under the headwall is five skiable bowls and lift access to Polar Peak (at 2100m) Best place to start is Lizard Bowl. Some great mix of groomed and easy going glades.
The Downtown Fernie Charm with an impressive backdrop
FERNIE SKI AREA
With the five skiable bowls there’s plenty of variety. You’ll find that the majority of technical and steep runs occur on the Polar Peak - true alpine conditions, no trees and considerable exposure, it can sometimes be closed. However, get the chance to go up there on a clear day and you will not be disappointed. Options to take the blue that winds down the face to the left which intersects with a few blacks, or off to the right of the Polar Peak you’ll have the challange of a few double blacks.
The grading here leans towards difficult and with a bit of wind can make the runs hard packed and icy. But right conditions will be mind-blowing with good turn after good turn. This is where you get the vert!
For the more adventurous type the resort has some great inbounds hikes leading to some great glades and tree runs, try Snake Ridge in Cedar bowl (far right on a trail map) which will be a 10 minute easy bootpack. Can be steep in places and sometimes go into a compression at the bottom (I’m a fallen victim of this compression) Whatever route you take down you’ll be picked up by a cat track leading to the Haul Back T-Bar.
Fernie’s dramatic headwall from the base
Morning Glory is one tick off if you are first to it on a dump day. Bewarned it can get tracked out quickly. Alternatively on the rare occasion the headwall hike, Face Lift is open is definitely something to be experienced. It’s a 20-30 minute bootpack With avi conditions very volatile on the headwall, it’s seldomly open.
The glades of Fernie, choose tight trees or spaced out
Fernie has a terrain park made up of rails and boxes. No kickers here, however lets face it, we’re not in Fernie for the parks. There’s plenty of side hits and natural terrain to keep the practising freestyler happy too.
What I love about Fernie…
The raw, real Canadian feel, the amazing snowfall, terrain variety, buzzing town with great food spots and bars. I would even consider it uncrowded, even at weekends when the city dwellers of Calgary come down.
What I dislike about Fernie…
Hard to say really, if I’m being picky there is not much in terms of groomers to please the leisurely skier although everywhere is accessible by a groomed run. Check the grooming report at the base.
The Face Lift bootlick with Fernie in the Distance
FERNIE GALLERY
Travel to resort
Nearest international airport is Calgary and there are shuttle buses that run daily to Fernie and back. Cranbrook is a notable close town with a domestic airport.
Hidden Gems
A traverse left across the top Currie Bowl from the Whitepass Chair will bring you to Corner Pocket, a double black run involving an abseil down the other side into Lizard Bowl. Once down, you can take the run down or traverse out as much as you please to score the goods. The abseil and traverse puts a lot of people off and you can get many a good turn.
For really decent Japanese try Yamagoya Sushi. Soft Shell Crab with a cold Asahi is the one at the end of a great day.
Accommodation
I stayed at the Red Tree Lodge in Downtown. Really friendly staff and team and the bus stops right outside. 10 - 15 minute walk into the town and supermarket.
I would recommend this place for…
Powder lovers who want to ride different terrain every day.
White Pass into Timber Bowl, with an inversion
Thanks to Kate for sharing this post. If you want to learn more about Kate go give her a follow.
Sun Peaks Ski Resort Guide
Sun Peaks is the second largest ski resort in Canada, not that you would assume this from its lack of crowds and laid-back village. Formerly known as Tod Mountain, Sun Peaks continues to undergo development in and around the village with the lift infrastructure also having recent upgrades. Sun Peaks has firmly placed itself amongst the top Canadian ski resorts. The Sun Peaks trails are shared across three separate peaks with runs in total.
SUN PEAKS FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Arriving at Sun Peaks for a winter season I was pleasantly surprised by the Village feel. The purpose built village, at the base of the slopes, has everything you would need at a ski resort. This felt convenient and much less aggravation then having to continually travel up and down from the mountain. The ski area itself is pretty impressive with plenty to keep you interested. The only thing really lacking from Sun Peaks is any teeth clenching terrain that could excite the more advanced skiers and snowboarders.
SUN PEAKS SKI AREA
Sun Peaks ski area has a good mixture of terrain to suit all abilities. This is part of the reason why some see Sun Peaks BC as a perfect family ski area. Split across three mountains; Mt Tod, Mt Morrisey and, Sundance Mountain, each has its own characteristics.
MT TOD
Mt Tod marks the highest point in the resort, with the highest lift the West Bowl T-Bar at 2080m. Mt Tod is home to some of the gnarlier terrain at Sun Peaks with ♦♦ Green Door leading into some pretty awesome glades. You will also find the Gil’s backcountry area at Mt Tod. The Gil’s is a dedicated sidecountry zone which can be great fun in the right conditions. The only downside to the Gil’s area is the long cat track back out. It is not all black diamond runs on Mt Tod, with the longest green also available here, 5 mile. 5 Mile is popular as it allows learners to leave the beginners area and head up to the top of the mountain. Lower Mt Tod has some fantastic groomed blue terrain, perfect for laying into those carves.
SUNDANCE MOUNTAIN
Sundance Mountain is home to some of the best intermediate runs in the resort with perfect groomers like Sundance and Sundowner. This area of the resort comes into its own with some brilliant trees for intermediates. Lone Fir West and Lone Fir Centre offer widely spaced trees on a mellow pitch. Sundance Mountain is also home to the terrain parks at Sun Peaks. There are three main parks that run underneath the Sundance chair, with the features increasing in size towards the base area.
MT MORRISEY
Mt Morrissey is sometimes neglected by visitors to Sun Peaks which is exactly why you should go there. Morrisey sits on the other side of the valley and for this reason alone some visitors cant be bothered to walk across the car park to get to it. This means Morrisey is the place to go when you want some time to yourself away from the weekend visitors. On Mt Morrissey you can find some big bumps on ♦♦In Tatters and ♦♦Static Cling or stick to the groomers that run underneath the Morrisey Express Chairlift.
SUN PEAKS SKI AREA BY ABILITY
BEGINNERS TERRAIN SUN PEAKS
Sun Peaks has two dedicated ski school areas in addition to a nursery slope for the really young starters. The carpet outside the ski school base will be the first place to take your turns before moving to the Village Platter. If you are up and running but not looking for anything too challenging, then Homesteader leading into the bottom of 5 mile is a great place to start.
INTERMEDIATE TERRAIN SUN PEAKS
There is intermediate terrain everywhere at Sun Peaks so just pick a lift and go. If you are wanting to stay on the groomed runs then Sundance Express, Morrissey Express and Sunburst Express chairs will all take you to perfect wide blue terrain. If you want to try your hand at some ♦ single black diamond terrain then ♦Sting could be a good place to start.
ADVANCED TERRAIN SUN PEAKS
Bowls and trees will be the places to go to ensure you are making the most of the advanced terrain at Sun Peaks. ♦♦Green Door ♦Hattrick and ♦Crystal Bowl are all good places to start. If you can deal with the slowest lift on the mountain, Burfield, then you have to check out ♦♦Freddy’s.
SUN PEAKS FREESTYLE TERRAIN
The terrain parks at Sun Peaks are all found on Sundance Mountain and effectively run underneath the Sundance Express which has its positives and negatives. Positive, it means you can scope your line from the chair and get quick laps. Negative, everyone can see you from the chair which can be off-putting if you are not a narcissist. What was nice about the freestyle terrain at Sun Peaks, is that the Park Crew regularly changed it up with new features throughout the winter.
LIFTS AT SUN PEAKS
There are seven chairlifts, three button lifts and two carpets at Sun Peaks. Recently installed Orient chairlift is a Quad chair that accesses some mellow terrain near the village. Morrisey Express Quad, Sundance Express and Sunburst Express are all fast Quad chairs with the Sunburst Express having the added benefit of a bubble! Elevation and Crystal chairlifts are both slow but over short distances so they do the job. Whereas Burfield chair is an enigma. Some people love it because it deters people from riding the runs on that side of the mountain, keeping it quiet. Other (and probably rightly so) would say it should be replaced as its 23 minute journey time is ridiculous.
SUN PEAKS SNOW RECORD
Sun Peaks receives an average snowfall of around 6m per season. In comparison to other resorts in BC this isn’t impressive (Revelstoke 14m, Shames Mountain 12m). What is impressive though is the quality of the snow with Sun Peaks receiving dry BC powder.
SUN PEAKS PISTE MAP
SEASON DATES
Sun Peaks season dates tend to run between a late November start and and early to mid April close. The snow quality is good throughout the season with lots of smaller snow showers rather than huge dumps. The ski lifts at Sun Peaks tend to run from 9:00 until 15:30 although the Sundance lift opens at 08:30.
SUN PEAKS LIFT TICKETS
Sun Peaks season passes cost $1200 Canadian on the early bird deal which is not bad value for the amount of terrain on offer. A daily lift pass will cost around $95 for an adult pass with multi-day discounts available.
TRAVEL TO SUN PEAKS
WHERE IS SUN PEAKS?
Sun Peaks is close to the town of Kamloops in British Columbia. Kamloops has an airport that is a 45 minute drive from the ski resort of Sun Peaks. The closest major city is Vancouver which is situated South West of Sun Peaks.
DRIVING TO SUN PEAKS
The road between Kamloops and Sun Peaks is pretty mellow by mountain road standards. Driving between Kamloops and Sun Peaks will take around 45 minutes. If you would prefer to take a shuttle, I highly recommend Mostly Mental Shuttles who I used throughout my stay at Sun Peaks.
PARKING AT SUN PEAKS
Sun Peaks has parking at the base area and at the bottom of Burfield Chair. Parking at Sun Peaks is free but overnight stays in the car park are prohibited. If you have accommodation in the village, they will have dedicated overnight parking.
HOW TO GET TO SUN PEAKS
INTERNATIONAL
To fly into Sun Peaks from outside of Canada you will need to get a connecting flight. Kamloops Airport has regular connections with the larger international airports in Vancouver and Calgary. You can also fly via Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton or Toronto into Kelowna Airport. Transfers from Kelowna will cost more as it is a further two hours from Sun Peaks.
SUN PEAKS ACCOMMODATION
The Village at Sun Peaks has lots of great hotels and lodges. During my time in Sun Peaks I spent time staying at the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel, a four star hotel on the foot of the slopes. There are many accommodation options for different budgets at Sun Peaks including the Sun Peaks Hostel, and the Peaks Bed and Breakfast. Most of the accommodation is situated in the village a short walk from the slopes however the hostel is closer to the Burfield Chair.
The Sun Peaks Village is very clearly European inspired with buildings that would not look out of place in Austria or Switzerland.If you stay in the village the Main Street remains snow covered throughout winter ensuring it is possible to ski from your accommodation to the lifts.
Away from the village centre it is possible to stay in East Village. East Village consists of many private accommodation rentals, mainly self-catering condos or houses. East Village is even more convenient with the introduction of the Orion chairlift.
SUN PEAKS PROS
Sun Peaks is the second largest ski resort in Canada (over 4,000 acres) meaning there is plenty of terrain to keep you occupied.
Sun Peaks ski resort has a village feel with ski-in ski-out accommodation
Snow quality at Sun Peaks is brilliant with regular cover and top up dustings of snow.
Sun Peaks lift infrastructure is mostly modern and quick.
The Tree skiing at Sun Peaks is great with widely spaced trees around the whole mountain.
SUN PEAKS CONS
The Burfield Chairlift… please someone just rip that thing out
There is a lack of real expert terrain at Sun Peaks.
The cheaper accommodation (Sun Peaks Hostel) is a 2km walk from the village.
SUN PEAKS GALLERY
SUN PEAKS ACTIVITIES
Away from the ski lifts Sun Peaks has plenty to offer. The 30+ km of cross-country ski tracks double up as a fat-biking trail which is a fun alternative to being in the resort. The village itself has; an ice-rink, spa, outdoor pool and dog sledding in addition to a large tubing area near the village platter.
If you fancy the trip 45 minutes downhill into Kamloops, then a trip to watch the Kamloops Blazers ice-hockey team is a must. In Kamloops you will find more facilities, like large supermarkets or shopping centres that could help you during your trip.
SUN PEAKS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS SUN PEAKS GOOD FOR BEGINNERS
Sun Peaks is excellent for beginners with two dedicated beginners areas and some nice long green trails. At Sun Peaks beginners can move around the whole mountain as there is green terrain accessible from most chairlifts. Beginners will enjoy 5 mile, a long run that winds its way from top to bottom of Mt Tod.
WHAT IS SUN PEAKS KNOWN FOR?
Sun Peaks is probably best known for its European style village that is perfectly placed to ensure visitors can make the most of its three mountain peaks. Sun Peaks refer to this as Sun Peaks 360 due to the 360 degrees of skiing that is possible from the village. It is also pretty call that it’s possible to ski down the Main Street in Sun Peaks to the chairlifts!
WHAT IS THE LONGEST RUN AT SUN PEAKS?
Out of the 137 trails at Sun Peaks 5-mile is the longest. Not surprisingly, this green trail is 5 miles (8km) long and can be found at the top of Mt Tod.
WHERE IN BC IS SUN PEAKS?
Sun Peaks closest major city is Kamloops a town with 83,000 residents. Sun Peaks is a 45 minute drive to the North of Kamloops down the mountain road. Sun Peaks location close to Kamloops makes a trip to see the local ice hockey team, Kamloops Blazers, popular amongst guests.
HOW BIG IS SUN PEAKS RESORT?
As the second largest skiable area Sun Peaks boundary covers 4,270 acres of skiable terrain split across three mountains; Mt Tod, Sundance Mountain, and Mt Morrisey. The layout of Sun Peaks ensures crowds (if there are any) are spread out around the resort keeping lift queues to a minimum.
DOES SUN PEAKS HAVE NIGHT SKIING?
Yes, but don’t get too excited. Night skiing at Sun Peaks is an infrequent occurrence and involves the lighting of the two green slopes at the Village Platter chairlift. There is access to the lower terrain park with small features. I would love to see Sun Peaks light up Sundance Mountain for night skiing. The terrain on that mountain is perfect and would make a great addition to night-skiing.
SUN PEAKS APRÈS SKI
In general, Sun Peaks is a quiet village but there are some decent bars if you do want to dance the night away. At the base of the slopes you will find Bottoms. Check out Bottoms for their happy hour and a Canadian staple.. Poutine. As the evening gets later Bottoms changes from restaurant feel to nightclub with regularly hosted special events and DJ sets. Morrisey’s Bar in the village hosts an open mic night which is where some of the resort locals come to share their musical talent. If open mic isn’t your thing then head out back to the Morrisey’s games room, a great way to meet other people and challenge for the pool table.
GET IN TOUCH
Thanks for reading this Sun Peakls 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 Sun Peaks ski resort? How does Sun Peaks compare to other BC ski resorts?
SUN PEAKS SKI RESORT INFO
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Top Things To Do In and Around Jasper During Winter
The town of Jasper is conveniently located on the doorstep of the Jasper National Park. Popular in both the summer and winter, Jasper is surrounded by the peaks of the Canadian Rockies and is a pretty epic location for a winter trip. Winter in Jasper can be cold with temperatures reaching on average -14 Celsius during January and February. But wait, don’t click away! These temperatures are what makes Jasper so exciting in winter, transforming waterfalls and lakes into huge ice curtains and frozen playgrounds. Read on to learn the best winter activities in Jasper.
SKI OR SNOWBOARD AT MARMOT BASIN
Marmot Basin ski resort is just 20km south of Jasper inside the national park boundary. Known for epic views and a lack of crowds, Marmot Basin is the perfect reason to visit Jasper during the winter months. Whether an expert or beginner, Marmot Basin has you covered with a diverse range of terrain to suit everyone. Skiing and snowboarding is possible at Marmot Basin between November and May making it one of the longest ski seasons in Canada. Check out the full Marmot Basin Ski Resort Guide
ICE SKATE ON A FROZEN LAKE
Despite having two ice rinks within the town of Jasper there is nothing quite like heading outside to a natural lake. Pyramid Lake freezes over during the winter making it possible for you to grab your skates and hit the ice with the Rockies as a backdrop. A short 12 minute drive from Jasper, it is possible to do this as an evening activity after your day on the slopes.
VISIT DURING JANUARY
January in Jasper is special and plays host to a local celebration. The Jasper in January Festival consists of a number of activities and events that highlight the best parts of this alpine town. Visiting during the festival is popular as there are often a number of discounts available on lodging and activities. The festival all culminates with a big street party and fireworks in the town.
I was lucky enough to spend a winter in Jasper and this event helped me meet many locals that I then connected with throughout my time in the town.
ADMIRE THE LOCAL WILDLIFE
Jasper is home to a number of wild inhabitants that roam the popular town throughout the winter. It is not uncommon to see deer or elk in the centre of town or grazing as you make your way to Marmot Basin. Canada’s wildlife is magnificent but should be respected. As with all wild animals ensure you give them their space and your respect.
HIT THE ICE
Jasper has its own curling club meaning it is possible to get involved and play this awesome sport for yourself. Curling consists of two teams who slide rocks along the ice aiming to be closest to the centre of the target. The Jasper Curling club was really welcoming and even gave us a quick demonstration before we started our game.
WALK THROUGH A FROZEN CANYON
The Maligne Canyon ice walk is a perfect winter activity. A mere 10 minute drive from downtown Jasper, the opportunity to walk through a frozen canyon can not be missed. Maligne Canyon is the deepest canyon in the Jasper National Park and offers visitors the chance to head further down through the limestone rocks until you are surrounded by walls of ice. Guided trips are available to Maligne Canyon and it is recommended that your wear spikes or appropriate footwear.
DRIVE ONE OF THE WORLDS MOST SCENIC ROADS
Ok, so maybe this one is cheating just a little bit because you kind of have to do it to reach Jasper but oh my what a journey! The Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper is consistently voted amongst the most scenic roads in the world. With plenty to see along the way, including the impressive Athabasca Glacier, this is a journey you won’t forget in a hurry!
WHAT DID I MISS?
Well, that is my list of the best winter activities in Jasper but what did I miss? Do you have a favourite Jasper bar? Did the Jasper Cinema deserve a place on the list? Let me know below in the comments
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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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RELATED MARMOT POSTS
A Guide To Snowboarding In Canada
Snowboarding in Canada has everything from wild mountain ranges to small local ski hills. British Columbia offers opportunities to ride some thigh burning terrain in some of the best powder conditions on the planet! Head across the border into Alberta and you will find colder temps and longer seasons set amongst the incredible back drop of the Rockies. Further East Ontario plays host to Blue Mountain the playground of Toronto and Quebec has the charming resort of Mont Tremblant. Whatever you are searching for, Canada has you covered with; amazing scenery, friendly hospitality and insane snowfall that combine for an epic ski trip.
Photo Credit @ameliasp8
Snowboarding in Canada is world renowned with many international guests heading back year on year. Why? Well it could be the beautiful mountain landscapes or the world class facilities at major Canadian ski resorts. Maybe it is the tree skiing that seems endless amongst the numerous towering evergreens. For me, it boils down to the friendly and welcoming atmosphere created by locals and the quiet resorts away from the crowds. Snowboarding in Canada can be glitz and glam but it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of resorts where with the insane amounts of snowfall is beggars belief that there are no lift lines!
CANADIAN SKI RESORTS IN BC
British Columbia is home to some of Canada’s best in resort and backcountry skiing and of course Canada’s largest ski resort Whistler Blackcomb. Whistler is Canadas most popular resort with more guests than any other mountain. The terrain at Whistler has it all and Whistler’s proximity to Vancouver is a leading factor in what makes Whistler ski resort so popular.
Known for the Powder Highway, interior BC is home to some serious freeride resorts; Kicking Horse, Panorama, Revelstoke, Red Mountain, Fernie and Whitewater. The only thing more legendary than the terrain at these resorts is the snow record. The snowfall in this area of BC is a major contributor to why there are so many successful cat-skiing and heli-skiing operators. The most famous of which is probably Baldface Lodge, host to the Supernatural snowboard competition.
Big White, Sun Peaks, Silverstar and Kimberley ski resorts make up the remainder of BC’s offering. These resorts, although less extreme than the other mentioned should not be overlooked. There is great terrain at each of these resorts, especially if you love tree skiing.
Photo Credit @themcny
CANADIAN ALBERTA SKI RESORTS
If you can brave the colder temperatures a trip into Alberta will not disappoint. The most popular resorts in Alberta are situated in the town of Banff and form the Ski Big 3. Sunshine Village, Lake Louise and Mt Norquay all offer something a little different. Norquay is often spoken of as a first day of your holiday ski resort, go to Norquay to rediscover your ski legs. Lake Louise is probably the most scenic ski resort in Canada. A modern ski area with fantastic facilities, Lake Louise is situated a 45minute drive outside of Banff. Mostly an intermediate mountain you may wish to head to Sunshine Village to get your thrills. The final offering of the Ski Big 3 in Banff is Sunshine Village. Sunshine is home to Delerium Dive, a dedicated off-piste area with steeps and drops.
Leaving Banff and heading along the Icefields Parkway, one of the worlds most scenic drives, you will come across Marmot Basin. A bit of a secret and weekend playground for the people of Edmonton. If you hit Marmot ski resort during the week it is likely that you will have the lifts to yourself. Castle Mountain is another ski resort in Alberta worth considering visiting. Castle Mountain is home to an inbounds cat skiing operation.
View from Marmot Basin
CANADIAN ONTARIO AND QUEBEC SKI RESORTS
Similar to the East Coast of the USA, Canada’s East Coast is home to ski resorts for the brave. Cold conditions and less snowfall mean that it’s easy to forget about the resorts of Ontario and Quebec. Mont Tremblant and Blue Mountain have good reputations but it is hard to justify heading to the East Coast with what is on offer out West. If you were to venture East Mont Tremblant ski resort is unique with its bright buildings, Quebecoise architecture cobbled walkways. The village at Mt Tremblant does put everything within easy reach and proves popular amongst East-Coasters.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHEN CAN YOU SNOWBOARD IN CANADA?
The majority of Canadian ski areas run their winter operations between November through to April. Some resorts like Marmot Basin in Alberta have longer seasons into May. Most years it is possible to ski on the glacier at Whistler Blackcomb through the summer in June and July!
WHAT IS THE BEST SNOWBOARDING RESORT IN CANADA?
Very much an opinion orientated question but here it goes. Whistler is consistently voted as being the best resort in Canada. I can see why with its facilities and terrain, but with that you also get expense and lift queues. Canada is privileged in that it has a number of incredible ski resorts without the reputation that Whistler has. For me, this potentially leads to a better resort experience.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SNOWBOARD IN CANADA?
Very much a variable answer depending on where you ski but lets take a simplified look at lift tickets. If you take the daily lift ticket price at the following popular Canadian ski resorts and average the prices the cost of a days skiing in Canada is CAD$104.67
Big White ( CAD$89), Blue Mountain ( CAD$63). Fernie ( CAD$134), Kicking Horse ( CAD$124), Red Mountain ( CAD$118), Sun Peaks ( CAD$105), Whitewater ( CAD$99.75)
CANADA SKI RESORT SNOW RECORD
Canadian ski areas get copious amounts of snow throughout the winter season. The Powder highway resorts of Whitewater, Revelstoke and Fernie receive an average of over 9m of snow each! Much more than this the powder that falls in this area is dry and fluffy meaning every flake should be savoured. On the coast of BC, Whistler receives the most snow with over 10m of average snowfall. Being on the coast, the snow can occasionally be heavy. In contrast Mont Tremblant on the East Coast receives just under 4m of average snowfall per winter.
WHY SNOWBOARD IN CANADA
Well if those snow record statistics didn’t entice you into a Canadian ski trip I am not sure what else will. For me a trip to Canada is all about the laid back resort towns, no lift lines and fantastic tree skiing.
MULTI RESORT PASSES CANADA
Unless you have been buried under a rock for the past few years, you will have heard of both the Ikon and the Epic Pass. There is some debate over whether these season passes are a good or bad thing for the ski industry in North America.
From a selfish standpoint I used the Epic pass for a season that allowed me to ski in the US, Japan, Europe and i’d planned a Australia trip (before Covid curtailed that idea). That is well… pretty Epic. To be able to ski across a number of resorts in different countries and continents is a unique. The Epic and Ikon are great for being able to access a number of resorts at what I deem to be a pretty reasonable price.
Sadly, these passes also come with a large downside. Crowds. The Epic and Ikon passes have encouraged more people to purchase season passes and have raised the profile of a number of resorts. The increased profile and accessibility has led to crowds, especially at peak holiday periods or weekends.
Although many locals view Epic or Ikon as a negative, potentially bringing more crowds to the resort, these passes have also led to a huge effort to increase the quality of infrastructure. Many resorts on the passes have received upgrades to their lift system and lodges which leads to a greater overall experience.
There are a number of other combined ski passes in North America such as the Mountain Collective or Indy Pass. These tend to offer a few days skiing or snowboarding across their member resorts.
In Canada you can receive unlimited skiing or snowboard at Whistler (EPIC PASS) and Blue Mountain/MT Tremblant (IKON PASS) but other lift pass privileges are restricted to limited days.
Epic Pass allows limited access to the following Canadian ski resorts; Fernie, Kicking Horse, Kimberley, Mont Sainte Anne, Nakiska, and Stoneham.
Ikon Pass allows limited access to the following Canadian ski resorts; Revelstoke, Red Mountain Resort, and Cypress Mountain.
THE CANADIAN SKI SEASON
The ski season in the Canada runs very similar to the operating durations in Europe. Most Canadian ski resorts operate between November and April with limited operations in May. Summer operations in Canada are restricted to the glacier at Whistler Blackcomber ski resort, BC.
RESORT REVIEWS
CANADA GALLERY
CANADA VIDEOS
COST OF A CANADIAN SNOWBOARD TRIP
From a European perspective a snowboard trip to Canada makes more financial sense than a trip to the USA.In terms of flight prices you will find similar deals to the major international airports. Once in country a lot of the expenses are similar but Canadian ski resorts tend to have cheaper lift tickets than their American counterparts. The difference between a day ticket at Sun Peaks and Killington equates to £23 per day, now that is money you could be spending in the bar!
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North America Snowboard Guide
Skiing and snowboarding in Canada and the USA are a must on any winter bucket list. With a variety of ski resorts from the huge Whistler Blackcomb in BC to lesser known Brian Head in Utah, a North American ski trip can suit everybody’s requirements. North America offers some of the best powder skiing in the world, locals who are passionate about their mountain and some epic landscapes. On the East Coast you will find Killington warmly referred to as ‘the Beast of the East’ alongside lots passionate East Coast skiers and snowboarders. Skiing the East coast isn’t always easy and this is reflected in the hardy locals. On the West Coast you will find the incredible Lake Tahoe home to a group of stellar mountains; Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, and of course Squaw Valley to name a few.
Canada is known for having great snow coupled with big mountain terrain and incredibly scenic resorts. Because of the popularity of skiing and snowboarding in Canada, the resorts tend to spend money updating facilities and infrastructure meaning fast lifts and great base area facilities. The quality of the resorts coupled with the welcoming people and of course… poutine, make Canada an appealing choice for any ski trip.
Whereas the Canadian Resorts may have a more relaxed vibe, it’s fair to say that the USA tends to think that bigger is better. With a number of resorts offering masses of terrain, think; Mammoth, Killington and Park City, there is a whole load of choice when it comes to a US ski trip. Although a contentious subject, the introduction of Epic and Ikon passes in the USA has made it easier for skiers and snowboarders to visit more resorts on a budget. When you combine great resorts with a large annual snowfall you are onto a winner. Although with Deer Valley, Alta and Mad River Glen still refusing access to snowboarders there are some resorts a little behind the times.
MULTI RESORT LIFT PASSES
There are two main options in the USA and Canada for multi-resort ski passes; Epic Pass and Ikon Pass. Other multi-resort passes such as Mountain Collective do exist and may suit your needs, but tend not to offer the mass amounts of unlimited snowboarding I would look for in a season pass. The Epic Pass is owned by Vail Resorts and if you are a Vail local makes perfect sense, as you will pay for your season pass with just 4 days of skiing or snowboarding. For me it made perfect sense as well. In the 2019/2020 season I will use my Epic Pass in France, Italy, USA, Japan and hopefully Australia, which shows the versatility of this pass.
I considered the Ikon Pass which is also a great shout if you solely intend to ride in the USA and Canada but offered less options for skiing in other parts of the world on an unlimited basis, although it does offer 7 days with NZ Ski at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt… you can read more about those resorts here.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A NORTH AMERICAN SKI TRIP
If a multi-resort pass isn’t an option for you then a trip to Canada will be easier on your wallet than the US, which has quite high lift pass prices. Both a Canadian and American ski trip may feel a little different from a European perspective with less on snow accommodation in favour of ski towns a short distance from the slopes. This can actually feel like a better environment with ski towns being more functional than the European ski-in ski-out villages. A major benefit of the ski town experience is the access to a range of other activities such as; curling, cinema’s, ice rinks, etc.
EXPLORE BY COUNTRY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many ski resorts are in North America?
This article lists 817 ski resorts in North America which should be enough choice to keep most people happy! Not only is there a great amount of ski resorts in North America but also a great diversity of ski resorts. With local run ski resorts like Mt Bohemia and large corporate resorts like Vail you can choose ski resorts not only based on terrain and ability but also somewhat on beliefs!
What is the largest ski resort in North America?
There are a number of huge ski resorts on the North American continent but the biggest is still Whistler Blackcomb in Canadas British Columbia. Whistler is not just a massive ski area but a year round resort that is worth visiting at all times of year. Whistler offers skiing in both the winter and in the summer with access to the Whistler glacier possible during the summer months. Other notable large North American ski resorts are Park City in Utah and Big Ski in Montana that have 7,300acres and 5,800acres of terrain respectively. Although Whistler is the largest ski resort in Canada at 8,171acres the second largest is nearly half the size with Sun Peaks, BC having 4,270acres of terrain across three mountains.
What ski resort gets the most snow in America?
Not only do the ski resorts in North America receive large amounts of snowfall, in some areas it is up there with the best in the world. The most snow recorded falls at Mt Baker in Washington where they record season averages of 16.5m, which is more than Tsugaike Kogen in Hakuba! The snow quality can vary a lot across North America with the coastal resort of Whistler having sometimes wetter heavier snow with British Columbias interior resorts like Whitewater having a dry light powder snow. Other notable resorts that receive large snowfalls are; Snowbird 13m, Kirkwood 12m, and Mt Hood Meadows 11.5m.
