SKI MARMOT BASIN

When it’s not charming people with its stunning views and uncrowded slopes, this beloved skier’s heaven (known by local Jasperites as ‘the hill’) is winning accolades far and wide. It was recently ranked as the most affordable ski resort in North America and helped establish Jasper as the friendliest ski town on the continent.

7 Things To Love About Marmot Basin

1 Highest Base Elevation Of Any Major Canadian Ski Area

At 1,698 metres, the ski chalet at the base of Marmot Basin offers incredible views of surrounding mountain ranges, to say nothing of the panoramic extravaganza that awaits from the upper areas.

2 Extended Ski Season

Partly thanks to its high elevation, Marmot Basin enjoys a longer season than most ski resorts. Open from mid-November to May, the mountain averages over 440 centimetres of dry Alberta snow every year.

Travel Tip Marmot Basin is now part of The Mountain Collective! This pass gets you free lift tickets at dream ski destinations around the world with no blackout dates.

3 USER-FRIENDLY LAYOUT

When your base is built on the side of a mountain, good design is crucial. Marmot’s parking lots are tiered up the slope, meaning you can ski to and from your car. With no long approach walk, zipping back for lunch or forgotten mittens is easy. Also, all ski routes eventually converge, making it easy for groups to arrange meet-ups.

4 Uncrowded Atmosphere

Spend more time skiing, less time standing around. Marmot Basin has plenty of room to breathe, and waiting in lift lines is usually minimal (and sometimes non-existent). Chalets at both the base and at mid-mountain offer multiple options to relax, refuel, go to the bathroom and plan your next runs over a pint.

STATS

Elevation at summit 2,612 metres 8,570 feet

Elevation at base 1,698 metres 5,570 feet

Size 696 hectares 1,720 acres

Longest run 5.6 kilometres skimarmot.com

780-852-3816

5 Temperature Inversions

Usually, the higher elevation you are, the colder it is. But thanks to a fun scientific effect wherein cool air can get trapped beneath a layer of warmer air (the inversion layer) then Marmot Basin can experience temperatures that are 10-15°C warmer at mid-mountain than in the much lower town of Jasper.

6 GREAT FOR FAMILIES

Need childcare while you shred? No problem. Marmot Basin’s on-mountain Little Rascals Nursery entertains tots from 19 months to 6 years old. If your kids want to hit the slopes, programs like Marmot Mites or Tiny Tracks are great options.

7 Variety Of Runs

Of the mountain’s 91 runs, there’s a nice split of all skill levels spread over the mountain, so beginners aren’t stuck to one area. For expert shredders, “Tres Hombres” is a steep, long, and wide-open bowl that sits on the north face of the mountain. It only opened to the public in 2018, but has quickly become legendary.