Marmot Basin

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Marmot Basin

ski resort

Marmot Basin is an alpine ski area on Marmot Mountain in Jasper National Park, Alberta. Travelers come for extensive terrain across four faces, long vertical drops and a long winter season.

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Marmot Basin essentials

Address: Marmot Basin, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

Marmot Basin sits on Marmot Mountain inside Jasper National Park, about 20 minutes south of the town of Jasper. The area offers 91 named runs spread over four mountain faces and roughly 3,000 vertical feet of drop, with a lift system of seven lifts and a capacity close to 12,000 skiers per hour. The official season runs from mid-November to early May, giving one of the longer ski seasons in the Canadian Rockies.

Facilities are centered on three day lodges: the Caribou Chalet at the base and the Eagle and Paradise Chalets mid-mountain. Rentals for skis and snowboards, a Snow Sports School with lessons and children’s programs, and three terrain parks (lower, mid and upper mountain) make the resort suitable for learners through advanced park riders. There is no overnight lodging on the mountain itself; most visitors stay in town and commute to the hill.

The ski area ranges from cruisers to steeper alpine faces and open bowls, with panoramic mountain scenery typical of the park. Marmot Basin receives roughly two million visitors annually and can be busy on holiday weekends and peak winter dates, with services concentrated at the base facilities.

  • Caribou Chalet (base): The main base lodge where you find rental services, ticketing and the primary guest facilities.
  • Eagle Chalet (mid-mountain): A mid-mountain day lodge offering quick access to intermediate runs and a chance to rest away from the base.
  • Paradise Chalet (mid-mountain): Another mid-mountain lodge serving upper-face terrain and a staging point for longer runs.
  • Terrain parks: Lower, mid and upper mountain parks provide rails, table tops and jumps for freestyle skiers and snowboarders.
  • Upper-mountain runs and alpine faces: Wide faces and alpine bowls on the upper mountain give long descents and open views over the surrounding Rockies.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Marmot Basin#

Marmot Basin's long season means good skiing from early winter into spring; different parts of the season suit different preferences.

Winter (best)
November - February · -16°C - -2°C (3°F - 28°F)
Cold conditions and regular snowfalls make these months best for deep, stable winter skiing and full lift-served terrain.
Spring skiing
March - April · -11°C - 5°C (12°F - 41°F)
Warmer days and longer daylight produce softer snow and pleasant conditions for extended runs and park riding.
Late season (variable)
May · -2°C - 10°C (28°F - 50°F)
The season runs into early May some years; expect variable snow and increasingly spring-like conditions as temperatures rise.

Weather & Climate near Marmot Basin#

Climate

Marmot Basin's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from -16°C to 18°C. Moderate rainfall (680 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 27 Good
Best Time to Visit
AugustJulyMay
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
28°
Warmest Month
-42°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor -16° - -6° -15° 54 mm overcast 94% 2.2 m/s 0.1 low 8.1h
February Poor -14° - -3° -13° 40 mm overcast 93% 2.1 m/s 0.2 low 9.7h
March Poor -11° - 1° -9° 46 mm overcast 90% 2.3 m/s 0.4 low 11.7h
April Poor -6° - 5° -4° 33 mm overcast 83% 2.3 m/s 0.8 moderate 13.8h
May Acceptable -2° - 10° 2° 48 mm overcast 73% 2.3 m/s 1.3 high 15.5h
June Poor 2° - 15° 7° 75 mm overcast 73% 2.3 m/s 1.4 high 16.5h
July Good 5° - 17° 11° 87 mm overcast 73% 2.2 m/s 1.5 very high 16.0h
August Good 4° - 18° 11° 80 mm partly cloudy 74% 2.1 m/s 1.2 high 14.5h
September Acceptable 0° - 12° 5° 58 mm overcast 77% 2.2 m/s 0.7 moderate 12.5h
October Poor -4° - 6° -2° 53 mm overcast 82% 2.3 m/s 0.3 low 10.4h
November Poor -11° - -2° -11° 59 mm overcast 91% 2.3 m/s 0.1 low 8.6h
December Poor -16° - -6° -15° 47 mm overcast 94% 2.1 m/s 0.0 low 7.5h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Marmot Basin#

The nearest town is Jasper, Alberta, about a 20-minute drive north of the resort; most visitors base themselves in Jasper and travel to the hill each day.

Major airports serving the region are in Edmonton and Calgary; from Jasper the final stretch to Marmot Basin is by car or taxi, and seasonal shuttles or local buses may run - check schedules and options locally before you travel.

Tips for Visiting Marmot Basin#

  • The season generally runs mid-November to early May, so check snow reports for variable spring conditions near season end.
  • There is no overnight lodging on the mountain; arrange accommodation in Jasper for evenings.
  • On-site rentals, lessons and children’s programs are available at the base lodges, so you can travel light and hire equipment there.
  • Marmot Basin is inside a national park, so be prepared for wildlife on roads and follow park signage and regulations.
  • Dress in layers and carry sun protection, as cold mornings can give way to strong sun at altitude on clear days.