The Jasper winter activities aren’t quite as prolific as things to do in Jasper during the green season, but there are still plenty of opportunities to explore the beauty of the Jasper National Park. And of course the first thing to tick off your list of things to do in Jasper, is to go downhill skiing or snowboarding at Marmot Basin.

If you haven’t driven along the spectacular Icefields Parkway on your way to Jasper, then also put this activity very high on your Jasper bucket list.

Maligne Canyon Ice Walks

The next must-do Jasper winter activity is a hike along the Maligne Canyon with Sundog Tours. The tour duration is 3 to 3.5 hours, so you can either head there in the morning, or you can get a full morning of skiing in at Marmot Basin and then head out on the afternoon tour of Maligne Canyon. The tour includes transport to/from your Jasper hotel, the guided tour of the canyon, use of ice cleats to go over your boots, and use of warm boots if you don’t have any.

The Maligne Canyon walk along the bottom of the frozen canyon is a spectacular one, and with the cleats, it’s amazing that it’s possible to walk safely along the ice. The experience is rather unique and there are lots of ice formations such as frozen rapids and frozen waterfalls, and the scenery is rather beautiful.

Cross Country Skiing

The Jasper National Park offers lots of trails so that you can get out and enjoy the stunning scenery. Examples of trails include Whistlers Campground, Maligne Lake, Athabasca Falls, Whirlpool Valley and The Pyramid Bench. The Fairmont Hotel also has 26km of cross country ski trails.

Trail information and cross country ski rental information is available at the Parks Canada Information Centre and some of the Jasper ski shops.

Other Jasper Activities

Snowshoeing is another way to get out to explore the winter beauty. A few of the Jasper shops rent showshoe equipment if you want to DIY, or you can go on a snowshoe tour with Sundog Tours.

Or ice skating on the frozen lakes around Jasper is a nice winter activity. Adjacent to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge on Lake Mildred, there are a couple of cleared ice skating rinks or you can make a loop.

Sleigh rides are also available from the Fairmont Hotel or at Jasper Park Stables along the shores of Pyramid Lake.

Dog sledding isn’t permitted in the Jasper National Park but Cold Fire Dog Sledding offers tours in Valemount and Sundog Tours can transfer you there.

Relaxation

If you just need to stay inside and escape the cold and have some complete chill-out time, head to the day spa at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.