Skiing in Jasper: Insider Tips for Visiting Marmot Basin and Planning the Ultimate Ski Vacation
Jasper National Park is home to some of Canada’s best hidden gems, including its ski resort, Marmot Basin.
Most visitors to the Canadian Rockies head to Banff National Park and Lake Louise, leaving Jasper uncrowded, calm and undoubtedly stunning.
This is even more true in the winter when the snow capped peaks shine, the crisp air hits your cheeks and the frosty tree tips sparkle.
As an Edmonton local, Jasper is the closest mountain town to me, so I’ve skied (now snowboard) here dozens and dozens of times over the years.
If you’re headed to my favorite part of the Canadian Rockies for a winter trip, let me be your guide with everything you need to know about a ski trip in Jasper at Marmot Basin.
Why You Should Visit Marmot Basin Ski Resort
Due to the high altitude, the snow here is light and fluffy. Combined with fewer crowds compared to the more popular ski resorts, Jasper is one of the best places for skiing in Canada.
USA Today named Jasper, Alberta the best ski town of 2018 because of its small town authentic vibe.
So it’s no doubt that planning a trip to go skiing in Jasper is the ultimate winter vacation.
And if those accolades still don’t have your attention, this one might. HomeToGo ranked Marmot Basin as the most affordable mountain ski resort in North America for 2020!
They reviewed the cost of lift tickets, accommodations, lunch prices and equipment rental fees of the 50 best ski resorts on the continent, and Jasper came in at number one.
Best Low Key Ski Resort in Alberta, Canada
Alberta is home to several world-class mountain ski areas.
Unlike Banff National Park (which has 2 large resorts and two smaller sized hills), Jasper just has the one.
Marmot Basin is the ski resort for this town and the whole region.
Not to worry though, it’s large enough with a great mix of different types of terrain to keep you happy for several days of skiing or snowboarding.
If you’re coming from Edmonton, Jasper is the closest and biggest ski resort.
Read more about the other 3 largest ski resorts in Alberta here.
Marmot Basin Mountain Overview
The mountain is about a 20-minute drive from the town site of Jasper, so if you want to hit first chair, you should plan to leave your hotel room no later than 8:30 am.
The first 10 minutes of driving is relatively flat, followed by a 10 minute ascent up the mountain.
It gets pretty curvy with a few tight turns but definitely makes for a gorgeous drive when it’s sunny and clear out!
Jasper has one of the longest ski and snowboard seasons in North America; consistently about 6 months long! This mountain is usually one of the first resorts within the Canadian Rockies to open up for the season.
In the last ten years, Marmot Basin has consistently opened in the middle of November and stays open until the last weekend of April, sometimes even early-May.
Meaning you can always ski and snowboard in Jasper in April, and oftentimes into early May.
The snow is usually quite light & dry, almost rivaling the champagne powder seen on the west side of the Canadian Rocky mountains.
Weather, Snow and Terrain at Jasper’s Ski Resort
Weather
The weather here can get quite cold, I’ve definitely skied in -30 conditions (22 below in Fahrenheit).
But more often than not, there’s a weather inversion at this ski resort.
Meaning, the weather is actually warmer up at the mountain than below in town.
I’ve also enjoyed tons of days where the white stuff just dumps, and I’m making fresh lines on pillow tops during every run.
Weather can always be unpredictable, but its fairly consistent and pleasant here year after year.
Terrain
Jasper’s large and varied terrain make it a great ski resort for beginners, intermediate and advanced riders.
The terrain is a mix of wide open treeless runs, glades, bowls, backcountry-esque conditions, lots of groomers and a good terrain park.
There is a large area dedicated to family & beginner areas so it’s a great place to learn if it will be your first time skiing.
And with the recently opened Tres Hombres, advanced riders can push themselves to new limits.
The map and website will show you that the majority of the runs are suited for intermediate skiers and snowboarders, with an equal mix of beginner and advance terrain to suit all skill levels.
Is Marmot Basin Good for Snowboarding?
Just behind Lake Louise, Marmot Basin is the best ski resort for snowboarding in Alberta.
Unlike Sunshine Village in Banff, Marmot Basin has very few flat spots on their trails.
Each chairlift is positioned perfectly at the bottom of a slope, so you’ll never have to worry about unbuckling and pushing yourself to get going.
Parking Tips
When you reach the ski resort you will see the lower chalet and a small parking lot on your left.
This is where tour buses drop off large groups or 10-minute parking spots are available for pickup and drop offs.
I recommend you keep driving passed this area and find a spot in one of the parking lots first, before buying your lift tickets. There are 4 parking lots, #1 being the closest to the bottom, 4 being highest up.
I suggest you aim to park in lot 3 or 4.
Why? Because everyone always tries to park in the first lots that they see, so these get filled up fast.
If you keep driving to the top, you will find much more space.
The parking lots higher up are much bigger and put you closer to the ski runs.
Then, once you’ve found a spot to park, get your gear on and then ski or snowboard down to the bottom to buy your tickets.
This way, you won’t have to wait in the congested small parking lot at the bottom and you won’t get cold standing in line to buy your tickets, as you will already have your gear on!