Marmot Basin Ski Area Opening Day

It’s late October and there’s snow on the ground at Jasper’s ski resort, Marmot Basin. A quick look at their webcams shows white stuff down to the bottom of the Canadian Rockies Express chairlift, and you can be sure that skiers and snowboarders are chomping at the bit to get their first turns of the season.

Luckily the wait is almost over, as the opening day for skiing in Jasper Alberta may be just a couple of weeks away.

Marmot Basin ski resort has a tentative opening day of November 9 2012 for the 2012-2013 ski season. This opening date is subject to snow conditions and it is recommended that you confirm the date directly with Marmot Basin in early November.

With season passes already on sale, it’s certainly not too early to get excited about skiing and snowboarding again!

Thanksgiving Weekend in Jasper

With Thanksgiving now just a few days away, now is a good time to make your hotel reservation if you are planning to spend your 2012 Thanksgiving weekend in Jasper Alberta.
To check rates and availability for several Jasper hotels at one time, click here and enter your travel dates.
Many hotels will be offering special menus for Thanksgiving dinner and some will have activities and family entertainment on offer.
Here are a few suggestions of places to spend your Thanksgiving holiday:

The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge promises a fun filled weekend for the whole family during the Thanksgiving holiday with a selection of activities and events which are sure to entertain both the children and adults alike, including pumpkin carving, scavenger hunts, movies & karaoke.
The Thanksgiving Package at the Jasper Park Lodge is available from October 5 to October 8 2012 with rates starting at $329 plus tax per room per night based on single or double occupancy with a 2 night minimum stay. For further information about this package, and for reservations, click here.
In true Fairmont tradition there will also be some excellent options for festive dining at the Jasper Park Lodge.

Anthony’s Restaurant at Amethyst Lodge is offering a Thanksgiving dinner buffet from 5pm-9pm on October 7 2012 for just $23 which includes a selection of salads, cheeses and cold cuts to start, with entrees of roasted turkey with herb stuffing, glazed maple ham, garlic mashed potatoes, and sweet potato mash, plus a dessert table with pumpkin pie as well as other treats, coffee & tea.
To check room availability and rates for Amethyst Lodge, click here.

Silverwater Grill & Lounge at Chateau Jasper will host a Thanksgiving Dinner buffet on October 7 for $28. For the main event there will be slow roasted turkey breast with pecan bacon stuffing, baked ham with honey dijon glaze, a squash medley, plus mashed regular and sweet potatoes. With a selection of salads to start, this decadent dinner will be rounded off with bread pudding, English trifle, pumpkin pie, coffee and tea.
To check room availability and rates for Chateau Jasper, click here

Ember’s Steakhouse at Marmot Lodge is also offering a $25 three course Thanksgiving dinner on October 5, 6 and 7 2012 which includes either a pumpkin sage bisque or a roasted mushroom & butternut squash salad to start, followed by an oven roasted turkey breast main course and pumpkin ice cream for dessert, and includes coffee & tea.
To check room availability and rates for Marmot Lodge, click here.

Lobstick Lodge is offering a Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet at its Country Inn Restaurant on Sunday October 7. On the menu you will find a variety of salads, cheese, shrimp, roast turkey with herb stuffing and gravy, glazed maple ham, roasted garlic mash, maple sweet potato mash, a selection of desserts including pumpkin pie and rice pudding, plus coffee and tea. The cost is $28 for adults, and $10 for children 6-12 yrs.
To check room availability and rates for Lobstick Lodge, click here.

Many other Jasper National Park hotels are likely to have special dinner menus for Thanksgiving weekend, and at the time of writing (Sept 30) there are rooms available at many hotels in Jasper for Friday October 5 and Sunday October 7 2012, however availability for Saturday October 6 is becoming limited. Being a holiday weekend, availability is likely to become limited and early reservations are recommended. To view a selection of hotels and to check rates and availability, please visit our Jasper hotel reservations page by clicking here and entering your dates of travel.

*The above Thanksgiving dinner prices are subject to tax and tip.

Victoria Day Weekend in Jasper

May long weekend is almost upon us, and in 2013 the holiday falls on Monday May 20. Victoria Day weekend, for many, signals the start of summer, and it’s always a busy few days in Jasper. As the weekend approaches there will be fewer and fewer vacancies in Jasper hotels, with the busiest time likely to be the night of Saturday May 18 2013. Needless to say, reservations ahead of time are strongly recommended to guarantee yourself a place to stay.

To check availability and rates for several Jasper accommodations click here and enter your dates.

If you are visiting Jasper between May 17-20 and have not yet booked your accommodation, you may wish to browse the JasperHotels.com website.
To see a list of recommended hotels and motels in Jasper, click here.
To see a list of recommended cabins and chalets in Jasper, click here.

Jasper Park Lodge at Christmas

There is no doubt that the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is a magical place to be during the Christmas and New Year holidays, in no small part due to the wonderful events taking place at the hotel throughout the holiday period.

The perfect way to enjoy Christmas 2012 at the Jasper Park Lodge is through the Festival of Christmas Package which includes accommodation in a Fairmont Room, in-room Christmas tree and decorations kit, plus a range of fun-filled Christmas activities taking place at the hotel throughout the holiday period. The package is available from December 23 to 27 2012 and rates start at $399 per night based on double occupancy.
Click here for details of this package and to check availability.

Throughout the holiday period there is wonderful range of festive activities taking place at the Jasper Park Lodge which both adults and children are sure to enjoy, including Santa’s Stocking Workshop, Ice Skating, Caroling by the Fire, Christmas Cookie Decorating, Holiday Bingo, and Christmas Movies.

Of course, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without an amazing Christmas dinner to enjoy.

Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet – Dec 24 2012
Outstanding dinner buffet in the Beauvert Dining Room.
5.30pm – 9pm, $70 adults $35 kids 6-12 yrs

Christmas Day Brunch – Dec 25 2012
Christmas day brunch with a wide selection of breakfast items as well as mouth watering lunch dishes!
9am – 2pm, $44 adults $21.50 kids 6-12 yrs

Christmas Dinner – Dec 25 2012
Plated Christmas dinner in the Beauvert Dining Room.
5.30pm – 9pm, $70 adults $35 kids 6-12 yrs

Both the Moose’s Nook and Cavell’s Restaurant will also be open during the holiday period, and reservations are recommended for all Christmas dining.

Full details for Christmas activities can be found in the Jasper Park Lodge Festival of Christmas brochure which you will be given when you check in.

*The Festival of Christmas Package is subject to availability, subject to change and does not include meals.
For other Jasper Christmas packages for 2012, click here.

Couples Getaway at Mount Robson Inn

Whether travelling from Alberta or further afield, a romantic break with your loved one surrounded by the majestic Canadian Rockies in Jasper National Park can be the perfect way to relax and rejuvenate with your significant other. Some couples visit Jasper because of the abundant peace and quiet while others enjoy exciting winter activities together such as skiing at Marmot Basin or hiking the Maligne Canyon Icewalk.
If you are looking for a special dinner, there are several excellent restaurants in Jasper to suit any occasion, and strolling through the quaint streets of downtown, visiting cafes and browsing in shops is a great way to laze away a few hours.

To help you make the most of your winter visit to Jasper, Mount Robson Inn is offering a Suite & Sparkling Package which includes one night’s accommodation in their Sunwapta Suite with Jacuzzi tub plus sparkling wine in your room when you arrive.
If you are skiing or riding at Marmot Basin, buying ski shuttle tickets along with your hotel accommodation at Mount Robson Inn will allow you to enjoy apres ski cocktails while somebody else takes care of driving.

Starting at the discounted rate of $169 per night in April (reg $215) and $180 per night in May (reg $255), Mount Robson Inn’s Suite & Sparkling Package includes a one night stay in a Jacuzzi suite and a bottle of bubbly, as well as breakfast for two for all stays in May. This makes an ideal couple’s getaway package whether you are visiting Jasper for a romantic getaway, a special occasion or just because you both deserve it.

Easter Weekend 2012 in Jasper

Easter is a wonderful time to visit Jasper Alberta, with the skiing at Marmot Basin still wide open and a hint of spring in the air downtown. In 2012 Easter Sunday falls on April 8, and with record snowfall this winter, the skiing and snowboarding conditions are sure to be still excellent for the Easter holiday weekend.

Hotel Reservations for Easter

You can expect Jasper hotels to be busy for Easter 2012, particularly for the night of Saturday April 7, so if you are planning an Easter ski trip, or just a weekend taking in the beauty of Jasper National Park, you should book your lodging early to avoid disappointment.
To check rates & availability for several hotels in Jasper, click here.

Luxury Easter Hotel Package

To celebrate this special weekend in style, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is offering a fun filled Easter Weekend Package which includes luxury accommodation, plus a whole array of family activities throughout Easter weekend.
The Easter activities include Easter egg hunt, family movies, scavenger hunts, crafts, Easter egg decorating, and lots more.
The package is valid for a minimum 2 night stay from April 6-8 2012, with rates starting at $349 per night in a deluxe room.
For further information and to book this package, click here.

As usual, dining at the Jasper Park Lodge during Easter will be first class, with a Good Friday Buffet being served on the evening of April 6 (adults $58, kids 6-12yrs $29), an Easter Feast on Saturday April 7 (adults $58, kids 6-12yrs $29), and an Easter Sunday Brunch from 10am to 1pm on April 8 (adults $38, kids 6-12yrs $19).

Ski Packages at Jasper Hotels

With Jasper’s 2012-2013 ski season well underway, now is a good time to start thinking about a skiing or snowboarding trip to Jasper Alberta. Several hotels in Jasper have put together some attractive ski and stay packages to give you the best value for money when combining your Jasper hotel with lift tickets for Marmot Basin ski resort.
Here are some of the best Jasper ski deals we could find:

Cheap Room Only Deals

If you already have a ski pass, or perhaps you would like to leave your ski plans open, you may prefer to get a hotel on a room only basis rather than a ski and hotel package. For many dates throughout the winter, rooms at some Jasper hotels can be found for as low as $90 per night.
To check room-only rates and availability click here.

Ski & Hotel Packages

One of our favourite ski packages in Jasper is at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge which includes free ski passes for Marmot Basin with your hotel room. The Ski for Free package includes 1 free day of skiing (2 lift tickets) for a 2 night stay, 2 free days of skiing (4 lift tickets) for a 3 night stay and 3 free days of skiing (6 lift tickets) for a 4 night stay. Transportation to and from the ski hill is also included.
Rates start at $249 per room per night (less than $125 per person), which is very reasonable considering the luxury standard of the hotel.
The offer is valid for a minimum 2 night stay from the opening day of Marmot Basin, November 9 2012 until April 12 2013.
For further details of this package and to check availability, Click Here.

Mount Robson Inn has ski packages available for the 2012-13 winter season which include 2 nights of accommodations with daily breakfast plus ski passes for 2 days of skiing. Rates vary depending on dates, for example the early bird rate from November 9 to December 26 2012 starts at $261 per person, the Jasper in January rate from January 11 to 27 starts at $227.00 per person, and the regular season rate from January 28 to closing day starts at $270.00 per person. All rates are based on double occupancy in a standard room and are inclusive of taxes.

Early Season Ski & Stay

For early season skiing and riding, the Scrooge Ski Package at the Amethyst Lodge is valid from November 9 2012 to December 16 2012 and includes 1 night’s lodging including breakfast and dinner, a lift pass for Marmot Basin, plus lunch at Marmot Basin. Rates start at $149 per person per night.

*The above rates are generally based on double occupancy, and are subject to availability, subject to applicable taxes, subject to change, and certain date restrictions may apply. To confirm full details and for reservations, please visit the Jasper hotel websites using the links provided.

For more great skiing in the Canadian Rockies, be sure to check out the Banff ski packages at BanffHotels.org featuring hotel and lift ticket deals in the Banff and Lake Louise area.

Family Activities & Hotel Packages

Jasper Alberta has plenty to offer for children of all ages, so if you are looking for a quick family friendly getaway before the kids go back to school, why not pay a visit to Jasper National Park and find out just how much fun you and your family can have in the stunning surroundings of the Canadian Rockies.

The Jasper Tramway is an excellent way to bring young children into the high alpine without having to hike up a mountain! The 7 minute guided journey in the aerial tramway involves an elevation gain of almost 1000m, allowing you to experience spectacular lake and mountain views normally reserved for mountaineers. The kids will also love spotting wildlife which can include hoary marmots, ptarmigan, ground squirrels, pikas, and big horn sheep. Washrooms and food are available at both the lower and upper stations.

Rafting on the Athabasca River is an activity the whole family can enjoy. Rocky Mountain River Guides offer 2 hour class II rafting trips which are suitable for all ages while still involving some exciting rapids, as well as 3 hour trips suitable for ages 6 and over.

According to Parks Canada, Jasper has what might be one of the world’s best bike trail systems, which includes a good range of short and easy bike routes, suitable for families with children. The Jasper Discovery Trail for instance is a smooth paved ride along Jasper’s historic rail corridor for 2.5 km one way with minimal elevation gain, and kids will love the undulating Athabasca River Trail which runs for 3 km one way from Old Fort Point to Jasper Park Lodge on the shores of Lac Beauvert. If you don’t bring your own bikes, they can be rented in town, and be sure to download the Jasper National Park Mountain Biking Guide before you head off!

All kids love to swim and splash around in water and there are two great places in Jasper where they can do just that! The Jasper Aquatic Centre has a 25m indoor pool plus a waterslide, as well as a shallow wading pool for the young kids, and if you prefer the outdoors, you can bathe in the naturally heated waters of Miette Hot Springs, suitable for all ages.

If you are looking for a family hotel package which includes your Jasper hotel plus one or more family activities, there are several options available on the new Jasper4Kids website, where you will also find more ideas and recommendations for having fun with your family in Jasper National Park.
For further information, visit www.Jasper4Kids.com.

David Thompson Bicentennial

Two hundred years ago, in 1811, the explorer, cartographer, fur trader, and naturalist David Thompson travelled through the Athabasca Pass, essentially putting the Jasper area on the map and paving the way for millions of visitors and tourists who would visit Jasper National Park over the following 2 centuries.
To commemorate the David Thompson Bi-Centennial, throughout 2011 there are various events taking place in the Jasper area, some of which we have featured below:

From May 6 to September 25 2011, the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum and Archives will be hosting the exhibition David Thompson: A Legacy of Art, featuring works of various artists, including sketches and a map by David Thompson himself.

From June 24 to September 4 2011, interpretations of David Thompson’s explorations will be shown as part of the Theatre Program at Whistlers Campground each Tuesday at 9pm.

On Thursday August 18 2011 the Pelts and Paddles Rendezvous is an all day festival taking place at the Jasper Airfield Picnic Site from 11am to 6pm. Take the free shuttle from the Jasper Information Centre and enjoy a whole host of fun and interesting activities on offer throughout the day, including hay wagon rides, trappers’ activities and games, David Thompson’s Amazing Race, horse packing demonstrations, barbecue and beer garden.

Friday August 19 2011 sees the Watch the Brigade! event at Jasper Airfield at 8am, where several crews will be departing in traditional canoes on a historial 3 day voyage on the Athabasca River.

Visit Jasper for Spring Break

Whether you prefer the term March Break or Spring Break, it would be difficult to find a better place to spend your well earned vacation than Jasper Alberta. With fantastic snow conditions at Marmot Basin, the skiing and snowboarding is sure to be awesome throughout March and well into April, giving you the perfect excuse to hit the slopes with family and friends.

If you are looking for a family hotel package for your March Break, the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is offering a Family Spring Break Getaway package which is valid from March 18 to April 10 2011. The package has been designed with families in mind and includes hotel accommodation plus a full weekly program of family activities which includes trivia quizzes, soccer, yoga, fun family games, billiards, table tennis, movies, and even a Kids Late Night Party Zone!
Also included in this package is a $99 resort credit per room per night, which can be used for food and beverage, Marmot Basin lift tickets, spa treatments, and other winter activities.
The March Break package is valid from March 18 to April 10 2011 with rates starting at $279 per night for a deluxe room, based on double occupancy.
Click here for further details and for reservations.

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