When temperatures drop, Jasper's abundance of glacier-fed lakes become the perfect canvas for memorable adventures. Here's how to make the most of them.
Jasper's landscape is dotted with the blue and green of its many lakes — at least in summer. In winter, these natural jewels transform into exquisite frozen plains tucked among the national park's choppy sea of snowy peaks. They become the perfect sites for adventures big and small, sweaty and serene. Try one (or all!) of the following activities — you won't regret it.
1 Cross-Country Skiing
Once the lakes freeze over, they provide the perfect surface for easy, scenic cross-country skiing. Choose between short, flat loops or longer, more challenging routes. There are more than 100 kilometres of groomed trails within one hour of Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, and the hotel's Winter Activity Centre has cross-country ski rentals from about December to April. In downtown Jasper, Edge Control also offers rentals.
2 Snowshoeing
Jasper’s lakes have plenty of room for this increasingly popular winter activity. If conditions are right, snowshoeing grants access to terrain that even cross-country skiers have trouble reaching. Pyramid Lake Resort is a short drive from town and provides snowshoe rentals.
3 Ice Skating
Take part in a classic winter pastime and feel yourself glide over a frozen Rocky Mountain lake. Popular places to skate include Lake Mildred and Pyramid Lake. The former has a groomed skating rink offering a round-the-lake oval and hockey rinks for pick-up games; skate rentals are available at the Fairmont’s nearby winter rental shop.
4 Fat Biking
Experience Jasper’s awe-inspiring winter cycling terrain by fat biking along frozen paths and ice-covered lakes. With tires that are almost twice the size of regular mountain biking tires, this fast-growing sport allows cyclists to stay on top of the snow rather than fighting against it. Ride along the marked trail towards Lake Annette, returning by way of Trefoil Lake, to see the different forests and mountains along the way. Don't have your own? Try out this addictive sport by renting a fat bike from The Bench Bike Shop.
5 Sleigh Ride
Make some horse friends with Jasper Park Riding Stables! On Pyramid Lake, their matched teams of horses pull old-fashioned Western sleighs decked out with bells and outfitted with comfortable seats and warm throw blankets, making for a fun and family-friendly winter experience. The rides last at least a half an hour, and are available at select times on weekends until March.
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