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Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Marmot Basin ski resort is one of 34 unique ski resorts in the province of Alberta, Canada. The ski resort sits about 20 minutes outside the internationally acclaimed town of Jasper, Alberta, in the western part of the province. The nearest major city is Edmonton, Alberta, just over four hours away.
Marmot Basin’s 5,570 ft (1,698 m) base elevation is the highest of any major ski area in Canada. The summit sits at 8,870 ft (2,612 m), giving it a vertical of 3,000 ft (914 m). It has 91 named runs and 1,720 acres (696 hectares) of skiable terrain. Generally speaking, Marmot Basin is an intermediate to advanced ski resort boasting 25 mi (40 km) of advanced terrain. However, there is still a decent amount of beginner terrain.
Due to Marmot Basin’s high base elevation, the resort's main feature is access to vast alpine terrain on five mountain faces. Challenging steeps, 45-degree chutes, extensive groomers, and hike-to terrain are all available here. Additionally, due to its considerable distance from an international airport, the resort is an excellent escape for a more laid-back ski trip. The ski resort is open annually from mid-November to early May.
Prices here are in Canadian dollars; US dollars, euros, pounds, and other Western currencies are subject to a favorable exchange rate (as of May 2024, the exchange rate is 73 US cents per Canadian dollar).
In July 2024, just before this article was published, wildfires in Jasper National Park threatened to destroy the Marmot Basin Ski Area.
Jasper was blindsided by two rapidly moving wildfires that engulfed the town in a matter of hours. Although no casualties were reported, significant structural damage occurred, and the town will undoubtedly require a serious rebuild. About 30% of the national park infrastructure was destroyed. Mercifully, the entirety of Marmot Basin was spared. This gem lives another day!
My deepest sympathies go out to Jasper and all its residents during this devastating time. Jasper holds a very special place in my heart. It was where I spent my first winter ski season and developed a passion for the mountains. Jasper’s magic is not lost and the jewel of Alberta will shine again.
For more information on Jasper and support initiatives, please visit https://www.jasper-alberta.ca/
Marmot Basin ski resort is located on the slopes of Marmot Mountain, within the local Trident Range. The ski resort sits on one of 42 mountains in the Murchison Mountains subrange. On a larger scale, it is located in the majestic Canadian Rockies within the major Rocky Mountain range, North America’s largest mountain range.
Marmot Basin ski resort is 13 mi (21 km) south of Jasper, Alberta, in Western Canada. It’s in the western part of the province, less than 15 mi (23 km) from the British Columbia border. The nearest town of Hinton is 50 mi (80 km), whereas the closest major city, Edmonton, is 227 mi (365 km) away.
The ski resort and the town of Jasper are both located in the iconic Jasper National Park. This geographically stunning national park is the largest in the Canadian Rockies and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With pristine glacier-fed lakes, towering jagged peaks, and two million-year-old glacier fields, it attracts over 2 million visitors annually.
Marmot Basin ski resort takes considerable time and planning to get to, especially from an international location.
Marmot Basin is about a four-hour drive from Edmonton International Airport (YEG) or a close to five-hour bus ride. At 258 mi (414 km) from YEG, arriving in Edmonton in the early afternoon is advisable to catch a shuttle. Otherwise, booking a hotel and enjoying the major city of Edmonton is your best option.
Alternatively, you can rent a vehicle for about $40 per day and drive to Jasper at your own convenience. Renting a car allows you to explore the many scenic points around Jasper and drive to the ski resort. Forewarned, you must purchase a Canada Parks Pass if you bring a vehicle. It costs $10 per day or $75 for an annual Parks Canada Pass. If you are with a group, it’s $20 per day or $150 for the annual option.
From the Edmonton International Airport, get on AB-2 N and stay slightly left to merge on AB-216 W. From here, you’ll drive 14 mi (22 km) until you reach exit 25 for AB-16W / Trans Canada Hwy. You’ll then merge onto Yellowhead Hwy W / AB-16, taking you to Jasper.
The drive is rather boring until you pass Hinton; that’s when you’re in for a treat. The Rockies grow before you as the road twists its way through the surrounding valleys. Due to the potential for winter storms in the area, winter tires are required. Even on sunny days, black ice can pose a hazard. Always drive with caution in these areas.
Sundog Tours and Transportation offers reliable trips from YEG seven days a week. Currently, only one trip per day leaves the airport at 3:00 PM. A one-way trip costs $108 or $215 round trip. They are the only shuttle company currently operating between YEG and Jasper.
MagicBus offers day trip options from downtown Edmonton or additional services like bundling overnight hotels, lift tickets, and round-trip transportation.
There are four parking lots at Marmot Basin Ski Resort, all of which are park-and-ski. This makes it super convenient to return to the vehicle for snacks, extra layers, or a quick nap. Parking at the ski resort is free, except for Lot 1, which offers guaranteed reserved parking.
Due to the limited parking available at the ski resort, everything is first come, first served. It can reach capacity on busier days, so it’s best to show up early. You can also secure a reserved spot in lot one for $20 on weekdays or $25 on weekends.
Parking in the town of Jasper is paid in the downtown and free on residential streets. Just remember to purchase the previously mentioned Canada Parks Pass. Hotels sometimes charge you additionally for parking, which can cost around $20 a day.
Like the best local ski resorts, Marmot Basin does not have a sprawling village. The base consists of parking lots and a massive chalet. The ski run Home Run and the School House Chair both access parking lots 1-4. The chalet has a cafeteria, restaurant, bar, and rental shop. There is no hotel or accommodation available at the ski resort.
All overnight guests will stay in the town of Jasper. It’s straightforward to get around the town of about 5,000 residents, which is only about 1.3 mi (2 km) end to end. The downtown core is also small enough to walk around easily. No public transportation exists; however, the town has three taxi companies.
The drive from Jasper to Marmot Basin is 13 mi (21.5 km). The Jasper-Marmot Ski Bus transfers you to and from the ski resort daily. However, it’s expensive: a daily return ticket costs $22 per person.
The ski season at Marmot Basin tends to be a few weeks longer than that of most other major ski resorts in Western Canada. The resort is usually open from mid-November to early May. Due to the Marmot Basin's high base elevation, natural snow is plentiful on the piste during the early season. Artificial snow is made regularly on the lower mountain, which helps maintain the lower mountain and prolong the learning areas and ski outs during the spring.
November and December see considerable snowfall. Although the larger off-piste areas are not open during the first few weeks of November, the on-piste groomed terrain is excellent. Excitement is high!
Most off-piste zones will be open by Christmas, and Marmot Basin will be busy. Even still, a busy holiday weekend might have you waiting 15 minutes at most on a powder day. Everyone spreads out, and big lines are usually witnessed only on the initial morning upload.
January and February are the ski resort’s coldest months. You are at the mercy of Mother Nature, and she can be frigid. Temperatures often dip below -20℃ (-4℉), with -30℃ (-22℉) possible. Bring plenty of layers and your warmest clothing if you plan on skiing during this time. January and February are the ski resort’s core months. Everything is open, holiday crowds have died off, and weekdays are often empty. If you don’t mind the cold, this time of the year is very peaceful at the resort and in the town of Jasper.
The best time to visit Marmot Basin is March. The extreme cold days are in the rearview mirror, snow accumulation is plentiful, and bluebird powder days are abundant! With the sun high in the sky, March skiing here is a treat, and it’s not too busy on the weekdays. Only during the March Break school holidays does it seem to get busier.
April tends to be spring skiing territory with the most bulletproof morning snow I’ve ever witnessed. Luckily, it softens up by late morning, and by the afternoon, you can enjoy that supportive spring snow that allows you to rip high-speed deep carves.
Outside of holiday times, the ski resort is never too busy. Due to its considerable distance from an international airport and the colder temperatures, international guests tend to give this ski resort a pass.
The Rockies in Alberta are home to some of the best snow conditions in the world. Given the high elevations and proximity to the Continental Divide, the snow here is extremely light and dry; it is usually all champagne powder. Massive snow dumps are rare here, though. Due to the drier mountain air, the area averages smaller snow days. 5-20 cms (2-8 inches) per day during stormy periods is standard. Snow conditions slowly build over time, which helps keep the powder hounds away and allows for epic wind-loaded stashes if you know where to look.
Marmot Basin gets about 15 ft (4.5 m) of snowfall annually. Although that doesn’t seem like a lot, the quality of the snow creates the epic ski conditions it is known for.
There is no way to sugarcoat how cold skiing at Marmot Basin is. With the highest base elevation in the Canadian Rockies, skiing here can be genuinely frigid. Expect daily average temperatures of 14°F (-10°C ), with cold snaps plunging the ski conditions to below -22°F (-30°C). You must be prepared with multiple warm layers if you visit Marmot Basin Ski Resort in January or February, as these are the coldest months to visit.
Be aware of the symptoms of frostbite, including striking white patches and numbness on exposed skin. Extreme numbness in the fingers and toes should always merit a trip to the patrol hut to warm up. If numbness is quickly reversed, lasting damage is unlikely.
March begins to warm up, with average base temperatures holding near 21°F (-6°C). The Peak can still range from 21°F to 6°F (-6°C to -14°C). April and the beginning of May are the two warmest months at the resort. As the sun tracks higher across the sky, daily average temperatures rise above 32°F (0°C), facilitating some great spring skiing.
Marmot Basin is one of Canada’s larger ski resorts and rests solely on a single mountain, Marmot Mountain. The resort's base is relatively small, with a single large chalet. There are two eating areas, an outdoor store, and a rental shop. Luckily, all of the parking is ski-in-ski-out and is accessible from the top of the School House Chair, or the majority of ski runs on the right side of the resort.
To initially make your way up the mountain, you can load either the Eagle Express Quad Chair or the Canadian Rockies Express Quad Chair. The latter is the resort's longest and will take you two-thirds up the mountain. Breaking the ski map into several areas simplifies things.
Marmot Basin’s lower mountain terrain consists of any ski terrain you can access from the Eagle Express Quad Chair. This area holds all levels of groomed runs and a few sneaky tree zones. The learning area also calls this area home, with access to the School House Chair and the resort's only magic carpet. It’s a quiet area to learn on, with several well-groomed mellow green runs that rarely see traffic until the end of the day.
Marmot Basin’s three terrain parks are also on the lower mountain. One large park and two smaller rail zones provide safe progression. The large park has medium and large features, including some well-built jumps.
Lower Mountain is an excellent area to warm your legs up for the day and get a few fast laps. Especially on busy days, it’s advisable to lap the lower mountain as the morning upload on Canadian Express funnels up the mountain.
Accessible by riding the Eagle Ridge Quad Chair, Eagle Ridge is an area that holds some steeper ungroomed terrain, glades, and a few hikes to the Cornice Zone. You’ll find a good mix of on- and off-piste variety that can be lapped in quick succession.
Eagles Easts holds some of the resort's most technical lines. Steep entrances and chutes spill into rocky freeride zones interwound with trees and avalanche channels. It’s the definition of technical freeride skiing, where you have to be on your game.
The one downside of this area is how fast it gets skied out. Locals love to hit this area first while waiting for other alpine gems to open. Once it does get skied out, it can become quite bumpy and icy.
The west part of the resort is accessible from the Canadian Rockies Express Quad at the base and the Paradise Quad Chair for lapping this zone. If you’re an on-piste skier, this area is simply fantastic. Wide open groomed runs that range from green to black fill this zone. The snow conditions up here are usually quite good, and this is where you go to throttle up and rail some hard carves.
Smack dab in the middle of the resort are the Paradise and Eagle Chalets. These are the oldest buildings on the mountain and retain the old rustic charm from Marmot’s humble beginnings.
Tres Hombres is similar to Eagle East but a bit more tame and with better snow. This side of the resort sees regular wind loading, and because this area is “experts only,” the general masses give it a pass. Although it’s a hidden gem, the only way out is a very narrow and usually bumpy single-track trail that will test your speed control.
The resort’s true alpine area is wild. Challenging bowls, steep chutes, and sketchy ridgeline traverses test advanced- to expert-level skiers. Over the past few years, considerable investment has transformed this area into a resort highlight. The Knob Quad replaced the old double chair, stretching 100 vertical meters higher and allowing easier access.
The addition of the Marmot Cirque added expert-level high alpine terrain that was never accessible to the public prior to this. Eight double-black areas fall away from Marmot 2 and The Saddle. These areas are hike-only, and the ridgeline traverse introduces some high-risk exposure.
With 91 ski slopes and 1,720 acres of terrain, the ski resort offers extensive terrain choice that caters more to intermediate and above skiers. Groomed runs have steep and consistent fall lines from top to bottom, whereas off-piste areas tend to group into smaller zones. Weekdays tend to be quiet, allowing easy exploration, but weekends can get busy.
The ski resort’s lift system is actually pretty good. It allows highly convenient access to multiple zones with limited traversing. The only downside to the lift system is that Marmot Basin has no gondolas, so you are exposed to the elements on the way up. It’s a more serious issue than at other resorts, considering the blisteringly cold temperatures that can settle on the region for weeks at a time.
As at other resorts in North America, slopes are divided into four categories: beginner—green circles, intermediate—blue squares, and advanced / expert—black / double-black diamonds.
Slopes
Ski lifts
Other features and services
The majority of the area's top-notch ski touring routes are located on the Columbia Icefields Parkway. Unfortunately, these are about a 1.5-hour drive from Jasper. Luckily, guided ski touring is available with transportation from Rockaboo Mountain Adventures.
The most popular and easily accessible local tour would be the Bald Hills. From Jasper, you’ll travel down Maligne Lake Road, where you’ll park and set off on your tour by traveling up the Bald Hills Fireroad. Once you breach the treeline, it’s a pick-your-own adventure, and you can pretty much choose where to go. Minimal exposure provides gentle access to untouched alpine bowls, but keep an eye out for areas that have slid. Round-trip usually weighs in at about 14 km (9 mi).
Avalanche safety training and gear are essential for you and your touring crew. It is advisable never to go alone and be adequately prepared for emergencies. Touring in the Canadian Rockies is stunning, but unexpected storms and changes in avalanche terrain can be deadly.
Day tickets at Marmot Basin cost $140 with slight discounts if you purchase multiple days. Additionally, buying tickets online a minimum of 48 hours in advance can save you up to 40%.
If you plan on visiting multiple times, the Marmot Escape card costs $99 and entitles you to 50% off lift tickets with no blackouts.
Marmot Basin is also part of the Mountain Collective Multi-Resort Ski Pass. If you are part of this club, you get two free days of skiing and 50% off after that, with no blackout dates.
Marmot Basin Snow School offers all sorts of lessons and ski school packages for adults and kids. Half-day and full-day lessons are popular; however, the school also offers one—or two-hour refreshers.
Daily Mountain Tours are free instructor-guided mountain tours designed to help competent skiers explore the resort. Discover the best local spots on the mountain and get a few cheeky tips from your guide. Don’t forget to tip your guide if they make it memorable!
Gear Rentals are available at the resort and in the town of Jasper. The latter offers a more extensive selection and better pricing.
Little Rascals and Tiny Tracks is the official on-resort daycare for kids aged 19 months to 6 years old and offers fun and exciting indoor and short-duration lesson packages.
Check out the resources below for information about the ski resort and the town of Jasper.
Marmot Basin
1 Marmot Road, Jasper, Alberta (AB), T0E 1E0, Canada
+1 708.852.3816
http://www.skimarmot.com/
Tourism Jasper
PO Box 568, Jasper, Alberta (AB) T0E 1E0
+1 780.820.1006
There are a few food locations both on the mountain and at the resort's base.
The main ski lodge is Caribou Chalet, located at the mountain's base. It is a cafeteria-style eatery with traditional ski grub, such as pizza, chili, burgers, fries, etc. The Caribou Bar and Grill offers a wider selection of reasonably priced meals in a sit-down restaurant environment. You’ll also find an espresso bar here.
Up at mid-mountain, two funky, old-school chalets welcome skiers looking to warm up and refuel. The Paradise Chalet is another cafeteria-style eatery with an ample supply of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. The Eagle Chalet is a full-service smokehouse restaurant with succulent food and epic views of the Rockies.
After a day of skiing, the town of Jasper welcomes you to their unique culinary scene. Jasper takes pride in offering local meat. Whether beef, elk, or deer, these are found widely around town.
Jasper cuisine includes Canadian, Indian, Japanese, Italian, steak, pub grub, and pizza. A notable mention is Jasper Pizza Place, the town's oldest pizza shop. Authentic wood-burning pizza ovens and a casual atmosphere make this a great place to settle down after a cold day on the slopes.
Jasper’s best dining experience has to be The Peacock Cork and Fork. It’s a hosted dining experience consisting of four set courses with wine pairings. There is no set menu, but rather an expectation of seafood and game meat as dinner staples.
All lodging options are available in the nearby town of Jasper. Accommodation types range from standard hotels and Airbnb to extravagant chalet rentals. There are even a few hostels in town. Jasper is enclosed in a National Park, so expect to pay above average for nightly accommodation in this town.
Jasper’s most extravagant and luxurious accommodation will be the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. This property sits on its own 700-acre resort just outside of town. There’s even a frozen lake that gets groomed for ice skating. Expect to pay several hundred dollars a night at the peak of winter.
The most affordable options in town are the HI Hostel or Jasper Downtown Hostel. Although these are hostels, you’ll pay close to $100 a night.
The Après-ski scene at Marmot Basin is mixed and mostly low-key. This changes quickly in spring, as warmer weather allows skiers to flock to the resort's several outdoor patios to enjoy cold drinks, sunshine, and live DJs. On the resort, the previously mentioned chalets each offer decent food and drink options. Unfortunately, they do close around 4:30 p.m., so it’s short and sweet until you get back to Jasper and tour the town.
The town of Jasper is home to over a dozen bars and a few late-night clubs. Don’t expect this to be like Whistler or Banff; nightlife is just a bit more relaxed here. Jasper Brewing Company is the town's only brewery restaurant. The D’ed Dog is a funky old-school bar with pool, games, and live music. Atha-B is the town's largest dance club and a great place to hang out past midnight.
Jasper in January is the town's annual winter festival. This two-week festival combines outdoor adventure, special culinary experiences, cinema nights, and pub events. There is a huge emphasis on winter activities: downhill skiing, Nordic skiing, Fat Biking, ice climbing, canyon walking tours, and more. Jasper in January usually happens in the second half of the month and entices guests with great deals on accommodation and activities.
The town of Jasper is exceptionally isolated, with the nearest town of Hinton about an hour's drive away. Hinton is just on the edge of the Rockies, so outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, and whitewater kayaking are plentiful.
Banff and Lake Louise are a few hours down the road. Although both offer scenic ski resorts, the area is a major tourist attraction in summer. Between Jasper and Banff, over four million guests annually come to explore steep mountains, glacier fields, turquoise lakes, and jagged peaks of the Canadian Rockies.
The true beauty of the Canadian Rockies is something I would recommend people experience. There’s something powerful about standing at the foot of giants. Whether it’s the stunning beauty of nature or the inner peace you may find, this Canadian jewel is worth the visit.
