“Winter is a time of beauty. Snow and ice transform the mountains, forests, meadows, riverbanks and lake shores of Jasper National Park. It’s a quiet time. The summer crowds have gone, the leaves have fallen, migratory birds have headed south and the bears have retired to their dens. The pulse of nature does indeed beat slower at this time of year but the park is still very much alive.” – Parks Canada Website
Top 10 Winter Activities in Jasper
1. Tour the park via Automobile. Enjoy light to nonexistent traffic and beautiful, Alberta-blue skies! A top-notch highway maintenance crew makes winter in Jasper National Park a great time for sightseeing. Most scenic pull-offs are plowed and you can look for sheep, wolves and moose, especially along the Maligne Road. Bring a thermos of warm coffee or tea and watch caribou along the Icefields Parkway or elk on the Pyramid Lake Road. Road condition information is updated daily on the Jasper park website. Winter tires are recommended.
2. Go skiing. Winter in Jasper is all about the snow! What better way to enjoy the powder than an exhilarating descent on one of Marmot Basin’s alpine ski runs or a tranquil tour on one of Jasper National Park’s many groomed cross-country ski trails. Rentals and lessons are available.
A snowshoe trip through Jasper National Park. Photo credit: Rich Anderson
3. Snowshoe. Snowshoeing is the traditional way to explore Jasper in the winter – and it is easier to learn than skiing! Follow one of Jasper’s many designated snowshoe trails or, if you are a skilled route-finder, make your own trail. Rentals and guided trips are available. Maps and guidebook are sold at the information center and local outdoor shops.
4. Take a Hike. Jasper is famous for its extensive trail network, and you can hike many of the valley bottom trails year-round. The trail report will tell you which ones are in the best shape. If conditions are slippery, you can buy or rent inexpensive ice cleats at many local shops.
Check back next week for the rest of the list!
Cross-Country Skiing in Jasper National Park
Guided Backcountry Tours of Jasper National Park
Visit the Jasper Yellowhead Museum and Archives!
View the Extraordinary with a Maligne Canyon Icewalk!