Marmot Basin

The Jasper National Park is the largest in Alberta's Rocky Mountains, and it is home to the Marmot Basin ski area. Five mountain faces, unique vehicle access, and the nation's highest base elevation are just some of the reasons skiers and snowboarders flock to this winter destination.

The Yellowhead Highway (Trans-Canada Highway 16) moves motorists west from Edmonton, Alberta, to Jasper. From there, drivers take Highway 93 south. Those flying here will likely land at the Edmonton International Airport (almost 242 miles away) before renting ground transport. Jasper has its local airport, but it does not handle large planes/international flights.

Rocky Mountain Park & Ski

During the day, skiers and snowboarders will enjoy the powder at the Marmot Basin ski area, and by night they will enjoy the hospitality of Jasper. The town is only a few miles up the road, and it offers hostels, hotels, and lodges. Children between 19 months and six years of age can stay at the Little Rascals Nursery while mom and dad hit the slopes, though. Dining options on the mountain include the Caribou Chalet and the Paradise Chalet & Eagle Alpine Lodge, with plenty of other off-site dining locations in Jasper.

The Outer Limits store has things to make time on the snow enjoyable and has branded items and souvenirs to help guests remember their trip. Marmot Basin rents quality gear to visitors, with a trained staff that can match equipment to the size and ability of the customer. Believe it or not, parking might be one of the Marmot Basin ski area's best features. Four parking areas sit next to the slopes at various elevations, allowing visitors to park and ski from several locations.

Canada's Highest Base Elevation for Major Resorts

The Marmot Basin ski area sits in Alberta's Rocky Mountain range, meaning that everything starts at a higher elevation. Its base elevation of 5,570 feet advertises as the "highest base elevation of any major Canadian ski area." A summit reaching 8,570 feet helps create the 3,000-foot vertical drop that skiers and snowboarders enjoy riding down.

Marmot Basin sits across five mountain faces and offers visitors 1,720 acres of skiable terrain to work across. The mountain terrain at the winter venue includes alpine bowls, chutes, groomed runs, moguls, and tree skiing. A Lower Terrain Park and the Mini Rail Park provide guests a chance to work features on skis and boards, with terrain that beginners and advanced ski bums will enjoy.

A long winter gives visitors a chance to play in the snow from the middle of November through the beginning of May most years. Over 177 inches of snowfall here annually, with snowmaking found on the lower portions of the slopes. It tends to be the light powder that any skiers and riders dream of plowing through, which is another reason Marmot Basin is a popular ski resort.

There are 91 runs across the venue, with 60-percent of the mountain divided equally between green/beginner and blue/intermediate trails. The remaining 40-percent is divided equally between black diamond/advanced and double black diamond/expert-rated runs. Marmot Basin uses seven lifts to move guests around.