Queer introverts rejoice! The Jasper Pride & Ski Festival—which has long been a top event for 2SLGBTQIA+ people who love the mountains—is returning April 10 to 19 with a line-up of more accessible and low-key experiences.
With new events like aquafit, craft nights, drag brunches, fireside storytelling and more, the 2026 festival schedule focuses on inclusion, connection, and community healing. Even the annual pride gala (this year's theme: Wonderland!!) will have a dedicated "sensory sanctuary" as a quiet refuge for those who need it while out on the dance floor, partiers follow Alice down the rabbit hole.
What makes the Jasper Pride & Ski Festival special?
The Jasper Pride & Ski Festival is one of the most unique Pride events in Canada. It's the only gay ski week in the Canadian Rockies and was the first Pride festival to be held in a national park. Combining mountain scenery and recreation with the warm acceptance Jasper is known for, the Jasper Pride & Ski Festival is intentionally different from the large parties and high-energy celebrations more common during city Pride festivals.
"We are a really safe, welcoming, inclusive place"
Alisen Charlten, executive director of the Jasper Pride Festival Society.
As the festival's new executive director and a longtime local, Alisen Charlten has witnessed first-hand the overwhelming support Jasper has shown for the Pride festival. "The municipality is Rainbow Registered... multiple businesses have gone out of their way to be Rainbow Registered," she says.
Especially post-fire, Charlten says creating intimate gathering spaces for queer people and allies (both locals and visitors) to connect and celebrate is important and healing.
What's new in 2026: More neurodivergent-friendly and sober events
The Jasper Pride & Ski Festival has always been a destination for—in lesbian comedian Hannah Gadsby's words—"the quiet gays." But the 2026 festival is simultaneously turning up the vibes even as they turn down the volume. Charlten says the goal is to “round out the events for a broad spectrum of people and interests,” including those who may feel excluded from traditional nightlife-focused Pride celebrations.
New and returning events include:
- A sober open mic night at Andromeda Coffee
- Queer craft nights, trivia, and bingo
- Audacious Aquafit (with universal change rooms*)
- Family-friendly programming
- A Wonderland themed Pride Gala
- Performances by Indigenous and non-binary artists
- Flag parade at Marmot Basin
See the full schedule here.
One of the notable additions this year is a Sensory Sanctuary lounge, where people who want to be included in the party but may struggle in a loud, high-stimulation environment can go to recharge in a low-light, music-free setting. The decision reflects a growing awareness of the overlap between LGBTQ+ communities and neurodivergent experiences.
“The Venn diagram of queerness and neurodivergence… is very overlapping,” says Charlten.
* New universal change rooms at the Jasper Fitness & Aquatic Centre are inclusive spaces designed to ensure accessibility and comfort for all users. With private change cubicles, showers, and washrooms, they offer a safe, personal space that prioritizes privacy and a welcoming environment for everyone.
Planning Your Trip to Jasper Pride
Coming to Jasper for the Jasper Pride & Ski Festival means travelling to the Canadian Rockies during spring—aka one of the best times to visit. April brings variable weather, with usually mild days but also a chance of snow.
Where to Stay
Jasper offers a range of accommodations, from boutique hotels to mountain lodges and budget-friendly options. Here are a few promotions to be aware of:
- Spring stay promotion: Earn up to $175 in gift cards on select dates when you book your accommodation via Tourism Jasper.
- Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is offering 20% off rooms & suites as a special Pride offer until April 18
- Stay longer, save more at select hotels: Enjoy 15% off when you stay 3 nights or save 20% on stays of 4 nights or more at select Jasper hotels, subject to availability and stay dates. (Offer valid at Forest Park Hotel, The Crimson, Lobstick Lodge, Chateau Jasper, Marmot Lodge, Pyramid Lake Lodge and Miette Mountain Cabins.)
Where to Eat
There are tons of great places to dine in Jasper, but a few restaurants have gone the extra step to become Rainbow Registered (this nationally recognized accreditation program helps build and prove trust within the 2SLGBTQI+ communities). Interested in more events that blend food and culture? Taste of Spring begins in Jasper April 24, 2026!
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