1. Fly into Edmonton, Alberta, the nearest airport (a 4 hour drive away from Jasper).
2. Instead of driving, hop on the Via Rail Snow Train to Jasper National Park.
3. Chill aboard the train.
4. Arrive at Jasper train station. Catch a ride to your hotel (some are in walking distance, others have shuttles).
5. Chill.
6. In the morning, take a free shuttle to Marmot Basin.
7. Snowboard or ski until your legs feel like chopped meat.
8. Catch the shuttle back to your hotel.
9. Chill in the pool or hot tub.
10. Repeat as much as you can (Go back to step 6).
11. Do a side trip like the Maligne Canyon Ice Walk.
12. Head back home.

This video by RideGuide introduces some of the concepts above and does a nice job of showing riding at Marmot:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBosE5LIIUY

Have a nice trip.

This first video is a Marmot Basin official promotional video.  Well, it’s not really promotional…it just shows some good skiing and snowboarding action.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=byi8HgFzGTY

OK, now for some unofficial stuff, some good healthy shredding down the mountain.

This next one is all helmet cam, all the time, and lots of jumps.  Look for random skier in a bunny suit near the end.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfaXUNWO5v4

Here’s more helmet cam on a faster run down Marmot.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zISd3KLTUd8

This clip shows snowboarding at Marmot with a few epic FAILs thrown in.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=spkY2qp5fQg

For good measure, this helmet cam clip shows skiing down Marmot without wiping out.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2Csv4GtlHA

And finally, here’s one last ski run down Marmot.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJd2XuNjzGI

Happy skiing.

The Canadian Rockies Express, the longest quad chairlift in the Canadian Rockies, opened for the 09/10 ski season.  Now you can experience it virtually through a 4 minute 29 seconds video taken from in a lift chair.  The fast motion video shows going up to the top and then back down again.  Normally it takes about 7 1/2 minutes to get to the top.

Riding the new lift looks like fun.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=43QVeG1rMrA

The ride travels 2,300 meters (1.5 mi). As shown on the latest Marmot Basin trail map, the new lift covers a lot of ground fast.

Happy skiing.

All I can say is “Wow”.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g4GPEXcawQ

While Marmot Basin ski area is only open during winter, an equally spectacular view can be had from nearby Whistlers mountain. Take the Jasper Tramway up Whistlers mountain during summer and then there’s a short hike to the top.

Marmot Basin has web cams hooked up around the ski area so that people like us, surfing on the web, can look and dream about visiting, skiing and snowboarding.

Take a look.

See what’s happening at Marmot Basin this very minute.  See the skiers and snowboarders and the weather conditions.  Wish you were there.

That’s what I’m doing.

Marmot Basin has 86 named trails for a variety of skill levels. Check out the trail map.

Jasper Marmot Basin Ski Trail Map

Learn more about skiing at Marmot Basin in Jasper National Park

Many skiers from far away fly into the nearest major airport in Edmonton, Alberta, and then drive the 4-5 hours to Jasper National Park.  That’s a long drive.

If you want to avoid driving a rental car in the snow, consider taking a bus.

Daily bus services run from Edmonton to Jasper in the winter.  SunDog Tours, MagicBus and Greyhound Bus can get you from Edmonton to Jasper National Park so you can go skiing without worrying about driving.

SunDog is in the $100-130 range each way per person from Edmonton to Jasper during ski season. MagicBus is similar but has several lift ticket and hotel package options.  Greyhound is around $100 roundtrip in winter, depending on options and dates.  Either way, you can take in the scenery and maybe even take a nap.

Once at your Jasper hotel, a free shuttle runs 3 times a day in winter to take you from the Jasper hotels to Marmot Basin.

If you do want a rental car in Jasper, the Jasper train station has car rental places in it and a few other places are in town.

There is a solution.  Marmot Basin offers a free shuttle to several Jasper hotels.

During ski season, Marmot Basin offers the shuttle 3 times a day from Sawridge Inn, Marmot Lodge, Tonquin Inn, Lobstick Lodge, Chateau Jasper, Jasper Inn, Amethyst Lodge, Astoria Hotel, Athabasca Hotel, Whistler’s Inn, Mount Robson Inn,  Maligne Lodge and Jasper Park Lodge.

The total trip will take from 25-50 minutes on the shuttle…time to relax before a day of skiing in Jasper National Park.  Ya, it is longer than driving yourself.  That’s the downside.  The upside is you can relax in the shuttle, take in the scenes and maybe meet a few people.

Before you book your hotel, check its website for specials.  Some of the hotels also have ski specials where a lift ticket is part of the package.  It might just save you some money.

View the latest shuttle schedule on Marmot Basin’s website.

Some reviews would help.

I’ve compiled the good bits and pieces from a whole bunch of Marmot Basin reviews to give you a better idea.

“The snow is great – amazing is more like it. The people on the mountain and in the town are open, friendly, and real. That’s actually a very good word not only to describe Marmot Basin but Jasper as well, REAL. No bull, no hype, just real.” (via Yahoo Travel)

That “friendliness” is what I like about Jasper National Park versus other destinations around the world.

Lake Louise ski area in Banff draws the crowds, but visitors to Marmot Basin seem to be having a fine time as well.

“After skiing in seven counries on three continents, Marmot is still amongst my favorite resorts.” (KO via OutdoorReviews)

This person was so impressed by the scenery, the ability to spell correctly was lost.

“The Senery when you get to the Top of the Paradise Chair or T bar Is amazing and very Beatuiful. The Senery going up the Knob Chair is Spactacular.” (rysfamily via TripAdvisor)

Most of the comments about Marmot Basin conditions are favorable and some contain good advice.

“If you’re new to boarding looking for a friendly place to begin Marmot is it. You may get a little bored if your already good and you want to spend more than a couple of days there.” (Chris via OutdoorReview)

“Great resort!! Not as big as the other Alberta resorts but enough to keep you going for a few days.” (Ray via Snow-Forecast)

“There was tons of powder when we first arrived on the Saturday, by Sunday most of it was groomed but it was still a blast.” (monbon via TripAdvisor)

“I’ve only been to Marmot Basin a few times. Each time, I was greeted with pleasing powder, friendly faces, and excellent new runs to test my skills behind the board.” (Chad W via Yelp)

“This resort is my all time personal favorite! Not only are the runs always impeccably maintained they are also incredibly diverse in terrain and skill level. The staff go above and beyond to ensure you have an amazing time there no matter what area of the resort you are at.” (Kim via SkiSite)

“My husband went down the blues and blacks and they compared favourably to the European resorts which are very busy.” (londonfussytraveller via TripAdvisor)

“Like every other resort, snow is the key! When Marmot has good snow…the whole experience at Jasper is hard to beat.” (via TripAdvisor)

“Excellent snow but tends to get very icy and bumpy during dry spells.” (Nick via Outdoor Review)

If you are local, you can plan for the weather accordingly.  If you are flying in for 1 day expecting perfect snow, it may not happen.  Spending a week in Jasper in winter will increase your odds.

When thinking about skiing and snowboarding in the Canadian Rockies, also consider skiing at Lake Louise, Sunshine and Mt Norquay in Banff National Park.

What do you think about Marmot Basin?

Marmot Basin ski area has plenty of space for everyone on the slopes.  With a balanced mix of 86 named trails of easy, intermediate and advanced levels, skiers can warm up on the easy trails and then cut loose on the harder trails.

While not as well-known as skiing in Banff National Park nearby, skiers visiting Jasper National Park have a delightful way to get downhill on the snow while taking in stunning Canadian Rockies views – without waiting in long lift lines.

This is a view of Paradise (Trail #29) at Marmot Basin ski area in Jasper National Park.

The Marmot Basin trail map shows the trails and lifts.

Jasper Marmot Basin Ski Trail Map

December 2009 brought with it the addition of the Canadian Rockies Express, the longest quad chairlift in the Canadian Rockies. The 7.5 minute ride travels 2,300 meters (1.5 mi) and greatly increases the capacity of Marmot Basin.

Marmot Basin has the facilities one would expect: ski rentals, instruction, shops, and lots of dining options.  A coffee bar serves coffee and light fare if you need a pick-me-up and a snack.

After a meal, hop on the lift and head up the mountain. The view of the Canadian Rockies from the mountain makes you want to sing “I can see for miles and miles and miles and miiillllleeesss….oh, yaaahh” (which, if you need to hear right now, you can on YouTube here).

Don’t believe me?  Take at look at these views from atop Marmot Basin:

Now you just need to book a room, a flight, pack your suitcase and hope the snow gods dump plenty of good snow.