Ski and Explore Banff & Jasper National Parks

Banff National Park is ranked as the #1 Outdoor and Adventure Destination in Canada, and #4 in the world by the annual TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Best Destinations Awards. It’s unique and authentic in extraordinary natural beauty, boasting thousands of acres of protected wilderness.

Unlike purpose built ski resorts, Banff National Park boasts two unique Rocky Mountain town sites with quaint Lake Louise, and the cosmopolitan lure of Banff itself; where visitors will enjoy a wide range of shopping, restaurants, après ski bars, boutique hotels, rustic lodges, and iconic luxury resorts like the Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Three ski areas being Mt. Norquay, The Lake Louise Ski Area, and Sunshine Village make up this multi-ski area playground, and they’re all accessible on one convenient tri-area lift ticket.
Stunning mountain backdrops, lack of lift lines, light dry snow, and friendly local hospitality are true trademarks to a ski holiday in Banff National Park. Not to mention the mixture of winter wonderland activities that compliment a Rocky Mountain ski experience including ice walks, a visit to the hot springs, and wildlife interpretive tours highlighting the natural habitat of elk, moose, deer and big horn sheep who all call Banff National Park home.

The unique inland location guarantees metres of Canadian Rockies dry, light snow, and there’s a science in this snow as the density of the water in the snow is lower compared to other winter destinations around the world, meaning a drier snow experience for visiting skiers and boarders.

Nestled in the heart of Canada’s largest national park, the town of Jasper offers visitors unparalled access to one of the most breathtaking and pristine wilderness areas. Jasper National Park is listed as one of only 15 UNESCO extraordinary sites in Canada.  It’s shimmering glaciers, abundant wildlife, crystal clear lakes, thundering waterfalls, deep canyons and evergreen forest, all surrounded by towering, rugged
mountain peaks  are some of the reasons you will find it on the UNESCO’s
World Heritage List – deemed by the World Heritage Committee to number among the most significant sights on earth.

World-class skiing on awe-inspiring mountain terrain is another draw card to Jasper National Park in winter, with local mountain Marmot Basin offering 3,000 vertical feet of superb skiing and snowboarding spread over 1,675 acres.  2010 freestyle Olympic mogul medalist Jenn Heil got her start on Marmot’s slopes and with 86 runs that deliver all altitude and no attitude. After only a few runs, visitors start to appreciate Marmot’s mellow, un-crowded, unpretentious vibe.

The winter activities in Jasper don’t stop at 2600 vertical metres: visitors can experience snowshoeing, cross country skiing, wildlife tours where Elk, Deer, Big Horn Sheep and Mountain Goat are commonly seen, and the famed Maligne Canyon Icewalk tour.

Wander into the town of Jasper to meet the eclectic mix of locals who are happy to share their historical tall tales and their not-so-best-kept secrets of unforgettable local and international cuisine, lively night haunts, quirky shops, quaint inns, rustic cabins, luxurious lodges and endless opportunities for adrenaline seekers and relaxers alike.

Remote yet easily accessible, all roads in the province of Alberta lead visitors to ski and explore Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies. The closest international airport to Jasper is Edmonton at 3.5 hours.  Alternate access points are Calgary International Airport via the spectacular Icefield Parkway or on the VIA Rail Snowtrain from Vancouver or Edmonton.