Ski Jasper at Marmot Basin

One of the main reasons for people to visit Jasper during the winter is to take advantage of the fantastic skiing and snowboarding at Jasper’s own ski resort, Marmot Basin, just 20 minutes from downtown.
Although not quite as well known as the ski resorts in Banff National Park, Marmot Basin holds its own on the international stage, and has a loyal following of skiers and snowboarders who return year after year to take advantage of the uncrowded slopes, varied terrain, and the pristine wilderness of Jasper National Park.
Marmot Basin’s 86 trails offer an even distribution of beginner, intermediate and advanced terrain, making it a perfect ski destination for a mixed ability family or group of friends who may wish to ski different runs but still easily meet for coffee, lunch or even ride the same chairlifts.

Beginner to novice skiers and boarders will enjoy the gentle wide green runs from the School House T Bar or the longer green runs from the top of the Eagle Express Quad Chair.
Intermediates may head straight for the new Canadian Rockies Express Quad Chair which in just eight minutes will give you 2000 vertical feet of mostly blue and green runs back down to the base, or find more blue terrain from the Caribou Chair, the Eagle Ridge Quad Chair, and even the Knob Chair.
Advanced skiers and snowboarders will not be disappointed with the selection of black diamond bump runs, chutes and ungroomed bowls found throughout the upper mountain, and the steep treed terrain in the Eagle East area will be challenging even for the experts.
The Terrain Park is conveniently located so that it can be accessed by skiers and riders of all ability levels, and the selection of jumps and rails is better than ever.
Anyone requiring tuition will be impressed by the range of lessons and the quality of instruction offered by the ski and snowboard school, and if you need to rent equipment there is a well equipped rental shop at the base of the ski area.
If you don’t have a car, there is a ski shuttle from all the major hotels, and for a great deal on a hotel in Jasper including ski pass, you may wish to consider a discounted ski package.
Whether you visit for one day or one week, once you’ve been to ski Jasper there’s a very good chance you’ll be back for more!

Jasper Winter Pride Weekend

From February 5 to 7 2010, Mountain Park Lodges and Jasper Tourism will be hosting the first annual Jasper Winter Pride Weekend.
The Chateau Jasper and the Lobstick Lodge are offering $74 room rates for the event, where you will receive a welcome kit detailing the many discounts available throughout the weekend. The Welcome Reception takes place in the Skyline Room at the Lobstick Lodge from 7pm to 10pm on Friday February 5, and on Saturday February 6 there is live music from Linkomatics from 8pm to 1am in the Downstream Bar ($5 cover).
At Marmot Basin there will be a 25% discount on lift tickets and 15% off lessons and rentals, and several Jasper activities companies are offering discounts on some of their tours. Sun Dog Tours are offering 10% off dogsled and snowmobile excursions and 15% off half day rail tours and wildlife discovery tours. Walks and Talks Jasper are offering 10% off guided walking tours, and the Jasper Adventure Centre are offering a 25% discount off their Maligne Canyon Ice Walk.
Further discounts on rentals are available at Freewheel where you can save 25% on ski or board rentals and demos, and Edge Control Ski and Outdoor Store are offering a $4 saving on adult cross country ski rental packages.
Further discounts can be found at several stores in downtown Jasper, and for dining there is a variety of discounts and specials offered by a number of Jasper restaurants.
To book your room for this event, call 1-888-852-7737 and use reference #56005 for Chateau Jasper, or #673529 for the Lobstick Lodge. For more details about these Jasper hotels, visit the Mountain Park Lodges website by clicking here.
For details of other Jasper accommodation options, click here.

Rick Mercer Report Visits Jasper

The Rick Mercer Report recently visited Jasper Alberta and was hosted by the Jasper National Park Public Safety Specialist, Steve Blake, who put Rick through a staged avalanche dog rescue, as well as some avalanche control work.
Watch this entertaining video to see the fun Rick Mercer has launching missiles from the road and dropping bombs from a helicopter.
The show aired Jan 19 on CBC.

Jasper in January

Find discounted Jasper hotels and cheap lift tickets at Marmot Basin ski resort from Jan 15th to 31st 2010 at the 21st annual Jasper in January event.
If you are looking for a Jasper hotel and ski pass, Marmot Lodge has a keenly priced Jasper in January Ski Package including 1 night’s lodging, a ski pass for Marmot Basin and daily hot breakfast for $114 per person based on double occupancy. Also, both Tonquin Inn and Maligne Lodge are advertising a Jasper in January Eat Sleep and Ski Package which includes accommodation for 1 night, dinner and a Marmot Basin lift ticket starting at $116.79 person based on double occupancy.*
If you just need a lift ticket, day passes for Marmot Basin will cost $54.29 + GST during Jasper in January, which is a 25% discount off normal rates.
The Jasper in January 2010 schedule promises an exciting range of fun events taking place throughout the town, including street parties, skating parties, terrific food and wine, and lots of live music.
On the first weekend, to get the festival started, the Whistle Stop Pub is hosting a Kick Off Party from 6pm on Friday Jan 15th (no cover), and on Saturday 16th a Dual Slalom race will be taking place all day at Marmot Basin. On the evening of the 16th, choose between the Ducks Unlimited auction with wine and cheese at the Sawridge Inn from 6pm ($20) and the Family Street Party on the 600 block of Patricia St between 6pm and 9pm (free). On Sunday 17th, why not take part in the Skating Party & Cabane a Sucre at 1pm on Mildred Lake ($5), and then in the evening go and see the local ice hockey team, the Jasper Wolves, play at the Jasper Activity Centre at 8.30pm ($6/$3).
On Friday Jan 22nd, the ever popular Annual Chilli Cook Off takes place at the Jasper Activity Centre from 6pm, including DJ and dancing ($15, adult only event), and on Saturday 23rd the Whistle Stop Pub hosts Tastes with Ale at 7pm, where retired Parks Canada wardens share some of their interesting experiences over a pint (no cover). The Bear’s Paw Polar Dip sounds like a sobering way to round off the weekend, taking place at 1pm on Sunday Jan 24th at Lake Edith ($15, pre-registration 12pm).
On the final festival weekend our pick for Friday 29th is the Wine in Winter Tasting at the Fairmont Chateau Jasper at 7pm ($25), while on Saturday 30th, the Evening of French Canadian Food starting at 8pm at the Jasper Inn looks like a great way to round off Jasper in January 2010 in style ($24.95).
Above is just a brief selection of the events taking place during Jasper in January 2010. To view the full schedule published by Jasper Tourism in pdf format, click here.

*The hotel rates shown above are subject to change without notice.
To confirm packages and for reservations, please contact your Jasper hotel directly.

Jasper in the News

In recent weeks we have come across a few articles and blog posts about Jasper which you may find interesting…

First off, DH Wall from the informative Jasper National Park Journal puts forward a couple of alternatives to driving from Edmonton to Jasper during the winter. He suggests either taking the snow train or the bus, both of which would save you the cost of renting a car and the hassle of driving 4 hours each way in winter conditions. I would add that even if you are from Edmonton and don’t need to rent a car, it might be a welcome break to let someone else take the wheel for a weekend! Also at Jasper Journal, there is an entertaining video of riding the new Canadian Rockies Express high speed chair at Marmot Basin.
Next, travel writer Lori Henry gives an interesting description of her trip to Jasper for Ukrainian New Year, which the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge has been hosting for many years in partnership with local Ukrainian organizations. You’ll also find videos of several Ukrainian cultural dances. Lori also gives a very favorable review of her ice walk in Maligne Canyon, which is worth reading if you are considering that popular excursion.
And finally, if you haven’t been to Marmot Basin yet this winter, you might like to have a read of Terry Farrell’s report in the Grande Prairie Daily Herald Tribune, where he raves about the virtues of the new Canadian Rockies Express chair lift.
Enjoy!

Winter Sightseeing Tours

Jasper National Park is a magical place during the winter months and once you’ve made the journey to Jasper it’s well worth taking the extra step to get out and about and discover the Canadian Rockies, while taking part in fun winter activities along the way.
Sundog Tours offer a variety of winter excursions to suit all levels of adventure. Their Half Day Train Tour includes a one way train journey to Harvey, BC, followed by a guided journey back to Jasper by road on the Yellowhead Highway, and the Wildlife Tour will take you in search of Canadian Rockies fauna while viewing spectacular scenery in Maligne Valley. Active visitors will enjoy viewing stunning Maligne River ice formations on the Canyon Ice Walk, or mushing your own team of dogs on a Dog Sled Tour near Valemount, BC, and the Jasper to Banff Tour is a fantastic way to view all the major sights along the Icefields Parkway, where you can choose to be dropped in Lake Louise, Banff, or return to Jasper.
To find out more about these tours and for reservations, visit www.sundogtours.com.