Escape to Jasper this winter for mountain adventures, good eats, and fun festivals. From the Canadian Rockies’ deepest canyon to the highest ski resort base in Canada (at Marmot Basin Ski Resort), you can venture beyond the ordinary every day, then enjoy Jasper’s awesome après-ski scene. Here are the top twelve things to do this winter in Jasper.
1. Maligne Canyon Ice Walk
Maligne Canyon is home to the Canadian Rockies’ most spectacular ice walk. Descend to the frozen creek bed and be dazzled by natural ice sculptures and 30+ metre high ice falls. For your safety, Parks Canada recommends going on a guided hike. Pursuit or SunDog Tour Company will outfit you with warm boots, helmets, and traction devices; provide transportation; and your knowledgeable guide can tell you all about the terrain, flora, and fauna.
For more information, please read our story: Hike and dine at Maligne Canyon.
2. Ski at Marmot Basin
For fantastic views, snow, and varied terrain without lift lines, head to Marmot Basin. While half the terrain is advanced (black runs) and expert (double black), there is still plenty of terrain novice and intermediate skiers. I like that runs from different chairs converge at Mid-Mountain Lodge so it’s easy to meet up if you get split up (make sure the kids have their walkie talkies on!).
With 6 lifts, a magic carpet, and 3 terrain parks, there is fun for everyone at Marmot Basin! Advanced skiers should check out the latest addition to the hill, Tres Hombres, a large mostly treeless bowl on the north side of the resort.
Visit Marmot Basin for more information.
3. Snowshoe & hike in a winter wonderland
Snowshoeing in Jasper: The Canadian Rockies’ largest national park has endless snow to play in, but two of the most popular snowshoeing destinations in Jasper are Medicine Lake (3 km lakeshore trail) and Maligne Lake (3.2 km Mary Schaffer Loop is pretty). For more information and trails, visit Parks Canada | Jasper Snowshoeing.
Hiking in Jasper:
- If you’re short on time, walk to scenic Pyramid Lake Island (200 metres from the parking lot) and get a photo on the bridge with Pyramid Mountain in the background.
- Hike Lac Beauvert Loop (3.5 km) at Jasper Park Lodge, then go ice skating at Lac Mildred/Mildred Lake!
- Valley of the Five Lakes (4.6 km loop) is another popular winter hike with minimal elevation gain.
- Old Fort Point Loop (3.8 km) is a short, but steep hike with great views of the Athabasca River. Microspikes recommended.
- Athabasca Falls (800 metres), half an hour south of Jasper on Highway 93N, is gorgeous year-round. To save on driving, plan to visit on your way to or from Jasper.
Know Before You Go: Trail conditions change as quickly as the weather, so wear warm layers and check the trail report before you go. Traction devices are recommended during the winter months.
4. Dogsled
Go dashing through the snow in a six-dog open sled (sometimes eight.. depends on the conditions/terrain)! You can even try driving the sled; a unique Canadian adventure. Tours are located about an hour west of Jasper. Contact Cold Fire Creek Dogsledding for more information.
5. Cross Country Ski
Jasper National Park has several beautiful cross country ski trails that are typically groomed for classic and skate skiing from December 15 – March 15, conditions permitting. Ski at:
- Whirlpool Winter Hub (easy and intermediate trails)
- Marmot Meadows (easy and intermediate)
- Athabasca Falls (easy)
- Pyramid (easy and intermediate)
- Wabasso Campground (easy)
Get current trail conditions from Parks Canada | Jasper Trail Report.
6. Jasper Food Tours
The Downtown Foodie Tour promised “Four eats, four drinks, one awesome experience” and it did exactly that. I loved hearing stories told by our lively guide (who is also the company’s founder), Estelle, and visiting some of Jasper’s best restaurants. Be prepared to walk 1.5 kilometres and enjoy a delicious drink and dish at each stop. If you book in advance, the hosting restaurants can accommodate most allergies and intolerances; they made all my courses gluten-free and dairy-free. Book your tour at https://jasperfoodtours.com/.
7. Ice Skate
Pyramid Lake and Mildred Lake (at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge) are cleared for ice skating! Skate rentals are available at Pyramid Lake Resort and Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge respectively.
8. Pyramid Lake Sleigh Ride
Get cozy in a horse-drawn sleigh (blankets on board) and enjoy the scenery at Pyramid Lake. Allow 40 minutes for the sleigh ride. Pricing and schedule available from Pursuit | Pyramid Lake Resort. Kids 5 & under ride free!
9. Jasper Winter Festivals & Events
Jasper doesn’t slow down in the winter. On any weekend, no matter the weather, you can catch live music, beer / wine tastings, festivals, and other special events. Visit Jasper Tourism for upcoming events!
January 13 – January 29, 2023 | Jasper in January: When it cools down, Jasper heats up with Jasper in January. Head to Pyramid Lake on Saturdays for ice skating, hot chocolate, and sleigh rides; learn to ice climb; enter a fun bonspiel; watch the Jasper Cup Pond Hockey Tournament (January 27-29, 2023); try fatbiking or snowshoeing; and more!
There are several culinary and wine & spirits events including Whiskey, Wine, and Hops at Forest Park Hotel (January 14), Brewery Tours at Jasper Brewing Company (January 19 & 26), and Sunday Supper Club: Share the Taste of the Alpine at Terra (January 15, 22, and 29). The Street Party + Fireworks, loved by locals and visitors alike, returns on January 28, 2023. For more information, visit Tourism Jasper | Jasper in January.
February 10-12, 2023 | Jasper Beer and Spirits Festival: Savor craft beers and spirits – and stories – at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
February 26-27, 2023: Jasper Nordicfest features two days of cross country ski, snowshoe, and trail running races.
For more information on the above and more upcoming events, please visit Jasper Travel.
10. Watch Wildlife
You can see lots of wildlife in Jasper pretty much any time of year, but the cold season is the only time you can see critters with their fluffy winter coats. Look for elk and bighorn sheep on Maligne Canyon Road – there is often a herd near the turnoff – or take a wildlife tour.
11. Stargaze and look for northern lights
In winter you don’t have to stay up late to the see the night sky, so there’s no excuse to miss out when you get an aurora alert! Did you know Jasper National Park is the second largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world? Head to one of the many lakes near town for awesome aurora and star viewing, or visit the Jasper Planetarium at Jasper Park Lodge. Pyramid Lake, Lake Annette, Lac Beauvert, and Maligne Lake are great stargazing spots.
12. Fat Bike
Not a skier? Try fatbiking! There are several trails near town that are perfect for beginners. Maligne Lake and Medicine Lake are close by and beautiful too. Go to Jasper National Park | Fatbiking for more information.
Getting Here
The Icefields Parkway (Hwy 93N) is one of the world’s most scenic drives, so if you’re coming from Calgary, this is the way to go. Allow time to stop at Peyto Lake Viewpoint, Tangle Falls, the Columbia Icefield, Sunwapta Falls, and Athabasca Falls. For tips on what to see along this route, please read our story: The Best Stops on the Icefields Parkway.
Where to Stay
Pyramid Lake Resort offers spacious, well-appointed rooms on the shore of Pyramid Lake. Equipment rentals (snowshoes, ice skates, fat bikes, and more) are available onsite so you can make the most of the lovely location. They also have an outdoor hot tub to relax in after a day of adventuring. I love staying there and dining at The Pines Restaurant! Book your room at Pursuit Banff Jasper Collection | Pyramid Lake Resort or Expedia (affiliate link).
Know Before You Go
A Parks Canada Discovery Pass / daily admission fee is required to stop in Jasper National Park. Get your park pass at the park gates, or online.
What to Bring
Disclosure: This section includes affiliate links through which I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our small family business!
For winter hiking, we recommend traction devices such as Kahtoola Microspikes (Available from Amazon and MEC), or Hillsound Trail Crampons (Available at Amazon and Sport Chek) and trekking poles with snow baskets. Base layers, insulated winter boots, a down jacket and windproof/waterproof shell (or insulated ski jacket/parka), gloves or mittens, and toque are cold weather must-haves.
- See our fall/winter hiking gear guide for product recommendations.
- For snowshoeing, see our Snowshoeing Gear List.
You should also carry The Ten Essentials including: water, extra food, extra clothes, a headlamp, a GPS/satellite communicator (or compass) and map of the area, sunscreen (this one is safe for babies), and bear spray. Carry bear spray in a Frontiersman Bear Spray Holster or Scat Belt.
Partnership Disclosure
Thank you to Tourism Jasper for hosting us! As always, all words and opinions are my own.
Related Posts
- 10 Things to do in Banff this winter
- 9 Things to do in Lake Louise this winter
- 14 Things to do in Canmore this winter
- 10 Things to do in Golden this winter
