Destination Snow: Jasper/Marmot Basin, Alberta

Untouched wilderness, frozen waterfalls, glacial icefields, evergreen forests, and graceful elk mix perfectly together in a paradise called Jasper National Park. Canada’s largest Rocky Mountain park spreads across 10,878 square kilometers (4,200 square miles) of scenic landscape. The small town of Jasper, nestled below towering mountain peaks, serves as a base for an incredible variety of outdoor activities.

Jasper is located just 20 minutes from fantastic skiing in Marmot Basin. Eighty-four named trails wind their way through 1,675 acres of dry Rocky Mountain powder. Marmot Basin provides a rugged, natural, and un-crowded atmosphere for those who are serious about their skiing and boarding. Trails are designated 30 percent for beginners, 30 percent for intermediates, 20 percent for advanced skiers, and 20 percent for sure experts. The area offers everything from long, gentle slopes to steep, high bowls and chutes. The slopes offer a vertical drop of 924 vertical meters (3,000 feet).

The resort has been expanding its lift-served area since 2001 when 20 new runs were added on Eagle Ridge. This summer two new bowls were prepared on “Eagle East” named the “Sugar Bowl” and the “Birthday Bowl.” This addition expands the upper bowls by 40 percent. A selective tree removal project on Eagle Ridge will provide more glade skiing, as well.

Snowboarders will also enjoy a terrain park with tabletops, rails, a quarter-pipe, and rollers. There are also excellent backcountry areas for skiers and boarders. This area is one of the best in Canada for cross-country skiing. Skiers enjoy 300 kilometers (185 miles) of groomed and natural trails.

Marmot Basin Snowsports School provides programs for all levels of abilities in skiing and snowboarding. Instructors are certified by the Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance and teach private and group lessons. The school offers everything from high-performance clinics to children’s programs. Speaking of children, little ones between the ages of 19 months and seven years can stay at Little Rascals Nursery. The day includes both indoor and outdoor playtime.

Visitors come to Marmot Basin for many things in addition to skiing and snowboarding. An incredible list of outdoor activities include climbing on frozen waterfalls, snowshoeing, tobogganing, ice hiking, ice fishing, sleigh riding, and dog-sledding, just to name a few. Another very popular pursuit in Jasper National Park is photographing (or just viewing) its abundant wildlife and mountain scenery. Bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk, wolves, moose, caribou, and many smaller animals can be seen in the wild. The park offers organized sightseeing tours with certified guides. Sightseers should not leave the area without seeing the world-famous Columbia Icefield, one of the largest areas of snow and ice south of the Arctic Circle.

The Jasper area provides a variety of restaurants and cafés with menus ranging from Canadian, Chinese, and Japanese to Greek, Italian, and other European foods. The Caribou Chalet at the base area offers a cafeteria and dining lounge and serves classic western foods. Its dining lounge provides a magnificent view of the Athabasca Valley and the surrounding peaks. At mid-mountain the Eagle Chalet and Paradise Chalet, two adjoining log-style buildings, offer Charlie’s Lounge, the Eagle Dining Room and Lounge, and Paradise Cafeteria. The two chalets have sundecks for relaxing and enjoying the view.

Jasper and Marmot Basin offer a magnificent overall vacation for anyone who loves a rugged, natural environment, serious skiing and boarding, and plenty of fun.

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