Things to do in Jasper in Winter
Jasper is the largest National Park in the Canadian Rockies and a beautiful destination year-round. There are so many incredible experiences throughout the year, but Jasper in winter might just be the best time to visit. Winter activities in Jasper are a gratifying reward for those who choose not to hibernate, but instead embrace winter’s wonders. Read on to learn how we embrace the winter season with our favourite “Won’t Miss, Don’t Miss, Can’t Miss” Jasper winter activities.
Won’t Miss
The Crowds
Wide open spaces and less visitors are bound to make you fall in love with Jasper National Park in the winter. Whether you arrive on the SunDog Tours Connector, enjoy the shops and dining in Jasper, or ski the slopes of Marmot Basin, you sure won’t miss the crowds found in other destinations. Where else can you share the highway with only Big Horn Sheep, Elk and Mountain Goat? Where else can you ski all day without ever waiting more than five minutes for a chairlift? After the excitement of long, hot summers, we really do love the calmness found during a Jasper winter.
The High Season Prices
Jasper National Park embraces it’s natural tranquility in the winter, but that doesn’t mean there are a lack of Jasper winter activities! Highlights include the chance to see an aurora borealis in the second largest dark sky preserve in the world, or walking on ice at the bottom of Jasper National Park’s deepest canyon. With dog sledding, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing among the many other things to do in Jasper in winter, there is always a lot to discover.
With amazing deals on hotel packages in the winter (on average half the cost of summer), there is more left over to sample Jasper’s great dining or shopping. SunDog Tours also offers a fantastic deal – when you book 2 different experiences, you’ll save 15%! Explore, enjoy, and experience all the best winter activities Jasper has to offer – you certainly won’t miss the high season prices.
Don’t Miss
Don’t miss out on seeing the wonderful wildlife Jasper has to offer. There is a chance to meet wildlife on a drive to Pyramid Lake, Maligne Lake, or along the Icefields Parkway. For the best chance at seeing some of the more unique animals that call Jasper home, be sure to book a wildlife discovery adventure with SunDog Tours. Their expert guides will take you to the best animal viewing locations the park has to offer. From the comfort of one of SunDog’s luxury coaches, moose sightings are frequent and awe-inspiring in winter.
To embrace the season, relax on a one-of-a-kind winter train tour through the heart of the Rockies. Leave Jasper on Via Rail’s Skeena train, for a guided trip through the majestic winter and mountain landscapes, on your way into the Robson Valley. Wildlife sightings and photo opportunities abound on this spectacular daytrip. You will then return to Jasper on a luxury coach, with sightseeing stops, including Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies.
“Maligne Canyon Icewalk with SunDog Tours is well worth it for the family and something unique. The guides are excellent and very informative and professional.”
Can’t Miss
Make sure you take the time to enjoy a guided tour through the frozen Maligne Canyon. This is at the top of most ‘things to do in Jasper in winter’ lists, for a very good reason. Imagine incredible ice formations surrounding you, as your knowledgeable and experienced SunDog Tours guide shares interesting information and guides you safely through the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park. Stand on ice shelves, gaze up at frozen waterfalls, and explore hidden ice caves safely on this locally run tour.
Skiing at Marmot Basin
If you’re in Jasper in winter, the quintessential activity is to hit the slopes at Marmot Basin. Spend your day skiing and snowboarding the wide open mountain, with rarely a lift line to be found. The Marmot Basin weather is some of the best in the Rockies, with bluebird days that offer clear views down the valley or snowy days with dry & light powder (not wet and soggy). Not to mention that Marmot Basin Lift Tickets are half price every day with a Marmot Escape Card. You can’t miss the opportunity to discover what keeps bringing people back to Marmot Basin time and again.
