About the author: Mayuri is the founder & editor of ToSomePlaceNew and CanadaCrossroads. An Indian Canadian globetrotter, she has traveled to over 100 cities and 25 countries. She currently resides in Edmonton, Canada.
───────────────────────────────────────────────
Although the Marmot Ski resort is one of the national park's most celebrated winter destinations, it is far from the only (or depending on your preferences, even the best) way to spend the chillier months in Jasper. Winters here are much more than that!
Whether you are looking for a weekend escape, or to celebrate the holiday season with your loved ones, here are 10 fantastic things to do in Jasper National Park in winter, that are perfect for non-skiers!
Pyramid Lake is my favorite in Jasper. In the winters, it is a scenic spot for morning strolls, snowshoeing, and even ice skating. I absolutely recommend visiting Pyramid Island for amazing winter photos, so don’t forget to bring a camera to capture the beautiful landscape.
Too cold to venture outside? No problem! Wrap up in a cozy environment - at the Pyramid Lake Resort restaurant (The Pines) for a nice meal with a great view.
For a romantic getaway, or a weekend of cozy self-care, book a cute cabin in the Canadian Rockies. In Jasper National Park, there are a lots of year-round options to choose from. They are perfect for long term stays as well (welcome to your new work-from-home space!). Log cabins are beautiful and spacious, with a living room area, bedroom and often a fireplace – what's not to like!
A little outside of the Jasper town, are the stunning Sunwapta Falls along the Icefield Parkway drive. If you have visited this spot in the summers, it deserves a winter trip! Sunwapta Falls looks so magical, amidst all the snow! To get to the falls viewing area, there is a short walk from the parking lot. Ensure you are wearing proper snow boots (preferably with cleats!).
Jasper is home to the historical and luxurious Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, and it is wonderful place to spend a day of pond hockey, star gazing, or just to relax and enjoy fine dining!
Winters are particularly special here. Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge welcomes the festive season each year by seasonal menus, and by inviting Santa Claus into snowy wonderland.
Every year Jasper Fairmont offers reservations for Christmas Vacation Packages. Guests are given a deluxe suite for their stay and are welcomed to celebrate the holiday season in their stunning Emerald Lounge. You can sit back and enjoy hot chocolate or mountain coffee by the fireplace, and also get to meet with Santa!
The cabins and the restaurants are wonderfully decorated with red and green Christmas cheer. Every Christmas tree, chandelier, columns are wrapped in stunning lights. There is also a giant gingerbread house in the lobby (and you are allowed to walk through it!)
If guests are staying over on December 24th, there is in-suite decorations and ornaments too - to feel at home!
Christmas Eve is a great time to head there for events, and dining. Children can put stockings, and they are usually filled by the hotel ‘elves’ with gifts to take back home. There are Christmas carols, dancing, and rejoicing!
Inside the property, there are options for a romantic spa or pond hockey (one of the fun things to do in Canada in winter) at Lake Mildred.
Jasper is a haven for those who love to snowshoe. Head over to the Maligne Lake Area and enjoy some of the picturesque trails, as you snowshoe.
There are so many to choose from - like the Moose Lake Loop, Medicine Lake, or Beaver Lake.
Want to embrace the cold in a fun way (no skiing or snowboarding, I promise)? How about a cool ice walk into a Narnia-like winter wonderland?
Join an expert local guide on a Maligne Canyon Ice Walk. These are conducted by SunDog Tour Co. or Jasper Hikes & Tours, in small groups. The Maligne Canyon Icewalk Tour covers about 3.5 kms (2.1 miles) of trail, and is mostly downhill.
You get to explore the deepest accessible canyon in Jasper National Park, of frozen waterfalls, ice caves, and incredible ice formations. The tour operator will provide you with warm boots with ice cleats, and you can also arrange for pick-ups and drop-offs.
Jasper town is quaint and fun to explore. But its small town charm comes with a side of big flavours! Try out some of the local restaurants with a holiday menu, and order a beer sampler!
It is easy to spend a winter weekend in Jasper checking out wildlife! The answer: a winter wildlife discovery tour.
You can check out elks, deer, sheep, goats, coyotes, wolves, and moose en-route as they enjoy the winter themselves. On a guided tour, you get to learn about Jasper’s unique bio-diversity.
Did you know that Jasper is the world's second-largest Dark Sky Preserve? The Jasper Dark Sky Festival takes place in October, but you do have a good chance of viewing the aurora borealis from September through mid-May, when the hours of darkness are longer.
Just make sure you are in town, stay up for bit, and look north to capture the gorgeous green dancing lights!
Medicine Lake and Pyramid Lake & Pyramid Lake Island are my top picks for stargazing in Jasper.
Snowy landscapes are breathtaking, and imagine a road trip through the stunning Rockies.
Embark on the Icefield Parkway drive, considered one of the most scenic in the world, and soak in those wintery views. Icefield Parkway connects Jasper National Park to Lake Louise (in Banff National Park).
For a shorter drive, head down the Maligne Lake Road.
in Winter
