Marmot Basin has been the setting for epic ski trips since the late 1920s when Swiss skier Joe Weiss stumbled across Marmot Mountain's winter wonderland. Marmot Basin (as he later called it) is in an unbeatable location in Alberta's Jasper National Park -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Canadian Rockies. The resort's Rocky Mountain scenery and close proximity to the laid-back town of Jasper make it an ideal destination for riders who want to maximize their mountain time.


It's not just the setting at Marmot Basin that makes riding there special. The resort offers 1,675 acres and 3,000 vertical feet of rideable terrain, a state-of-the-art grooming fleet, and plenty of snow-filled bowls to please the powder junkies. Marmot Basin also has the highest base elevation in all of Canada.

The diversity of terrain at Marmot Basin makes it easy to please an entire family of riders. The resort provides 30-percent novice, 30-percent intermediate, 20-percent advanced, and 20-percent expert terrain with chutes, groomers, bowls, bumps, trees, and plenty of other thrills. Park junkies can also get their kicks in the Rogers Terrain Park while the little rippers hone their skills in the Mini Terrain Park with simple rails and boxes.

Marmot Basin makes it easy to fall in love with the Canadian Rockies. Alberta's dry powder, 160 inches of annual snowfall, and a six-month-long ski season make multiple snowboard trips possible every year. The resort's relaxed atmosphere and yearly events, including barbecues, concerts, competitions, and themed parties, draw riders back year after year.

Marmot Basin Resort Location/Directions:

Marmot Basin is minutes from downtown Jasper, Alberta, in Jasper National Park. It is 192 miles west of Edmonton and 256 miles northwest of Calgary. The Edmonton International Airport is the closest airport to Marmot Basin, and airport transfers are offered by Greyhound Bus Service, Brewster Travel, and Sundog Transportation and Tours. A day bus from Edmonton to Marmot Basin is offered by Magic Bus Tours.

Travelers accessing Marmot Basin by car must ensure their vehicle is equipped for varying mountain conditions and stay up-to-date on the Jasper area road conditions. Visitors can rent vehicles once they reach Jasper with Budget Rent-a-Car, National, and Avis.

Marmot Basin Resort Statistics:

• Trails: 86
• Beginner Terrain: 30%
• Intermediate Terrain: 30%
• Advanced Terrain: 20%
• Expert Terrain: 20%
• Longest Run: 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometres)
• Lifts: 7
• Uphill Capacity: 12,060 people per hour
• Acres: 1,675
• Summit Elevation: 3,000 feet (914 meters)
• Base Elevation: 5,570 feet (1,698 meters)
• Vertical Drop: 2,998 feet (914 meters)
• Superpipe: No
• Terrain Parks: 2
• Average Snowfall: 160 inches (400 centimeters)
• Night Skiing: No

Marmot Basin Resort Reservations:

Marmot Basin is open roughly half of the year. The main lifts are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and pass deals can be found on SkiMarmot.com. Marmot Basin offers the My Marmot Card, Marmot Express Lift Tickets, Sunshine-Marmot Card, and Jasper-Marmot Family Card as ways for you to cut your snowboarding costs.

Two-day adult lift tickets are sold at Costco stores in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Grand Prairie, Red Deer, Regina, Saskatoon, Prince George, Winnipeg, and Calgary. Riders can save more by purchasing lodging and lift ticket specials and packages through the Marmot Basin website.

Marmot Basin Resort Accommodations:

Jasper offers an array of lodging options minutes from Marmot Basin and in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. The historic Astoria Hotel is a famous Jasper getaway with a popular pub for après–ski fun, an esteemed restaurant, and a cozy, boutique-hotel feel.

Riders looking for a quiet refuge within walking distance of Jasper's shops and dining will enjoy the tranquility of the Bear Hill Lodge. The hotel offers traditional rooms, small cottages, deluxe suites, and roomy cabins to suit everyone from solo riders to families of rippers.

Jasper hosts accommodations ranging from chain hotels to luxury resorts and rustic cabins. Log onto the Marmot Basin website to see a full list of hotels near the resort.

Marmot Basin Resort Alternative Activities

There's no shortage of things to do at Marmot Basin when your legs are feeling the burn from hours of riding. The resort offers three dining areas and an espresso bar for dining and drinking when you're taking a break from riding. The Outer Limits retail store is also available for picking up Marmot Basin souvenirs and snowboard gear you left behind.

Riders looking for more off-mountain activities can find everything they're seeking in Jasper and Jasper National Park. Fat bike riding, cross country skiing, pond skating, canyon ice walks, snowshoeing, and wildlife watching are just steps away from the Marmot Basin resort. The town of Jasper also has trendy bars, restaurants, shopping, the Jasper Tramway, and countless other activities for those who want to dive deeper into the area.