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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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
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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!