The beauty of Jasper can only be matched by its charm and hospitality

Article content

There’s no question, I’m a very lucky guy to ski around the world. I’ve been to some pretty cool places, but I have to admit that Jasper was a total surprise. The mountain scenery, the beauty, the history, the value, and of course the people are all very unique. Blend all that with a world-class ski resort in Marmot Basin and you’ve got an unbeatable combination.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

The beauty of Jasper can only be matched by its charm and hospitality Back to video

When I first pulled into Jasper after a four-hour highway drive from Edmonton I was a little surprised at its smaller size, but I didn’t realize it has a much bigger heart. It doesn’t have the busy glitz and glam of some of the bigger resorts and that’s perfect. It’s a laid back intimate town that prides itself in the past, present and bright future ahead. I’ve never seen a tighter knit community of outdoor lovers, multi-millionaires and blue-collar workers living together in harmony, in one of the most beautiful parts of the world.

Jasper’s roots run deep, starting as a blue-collar railway town for loggers and rail workers back in the early 1900’s. Its heritage is evident throughout the town as locals have preserved the town’s glorious past in buildings such as the Fire Hall, the visitors centre and old town post office. Dating back to 1920, the historic Athabasca Hotel still stands tall and proud.

There’s plenty of accommodation in Jasper, from the world-famous Jasper Park Lodge to many hotels, motels, a mountain hostel and cabins which are very popular in the Park. I highly recommend the Mount Robson Inn, a short walk to downtown on Connaught Drive, a preferred choice in Jasper with a free full breakfast and is ranked top 10 on Tripadvisor.

My first start on the hills was a spectacular Bluebird, the ones you see in photos.  As you drive out of Jasper to Marmot Basin, you will enter Jasper National Park, where you’ll need to buy a park pass at the gate –  buy online at jasper.travel – and then enjoy a scenic 20 minutes up the mountain to the Caribou Chalet at base mountain.

I immediately checked in for my lift pass, rental skis and then met my guide, George Andrew. George is a cool, friendly guy and more than a ski instructor but a legend from a famous legendary Jasper family. Both his grandfather and father were pioneers and visionaries basically building Jasper. George continues the family tradition today, owning the historic Astoria Hotel plus two trendy hangouts, the De’d Dog Bar & Grill with great wings along with Papa George’s family restaurant

Jasper is an unpretentious jewel tucked away in the Canadian Rockies with a small-town charm that the locals hold dearly. The people are so passionate about ‘local’, they ran McDonald’s out-of-town due to a lack of support because it was owned by an McDonalds. There’s actually a few chain restaurants such as Earls and Montanas, but they’re strategically placed to blend in with the Jasper feel and vibe. Check out Patricia St and Connaught Ave, the two main streets, one small block off main street for some really cool shops and restaurants. Nobody cares who you are, what you do or how much money you make because there’s one main theme that keeps people connected in Jasper, its beauty and grandeur of nature.

That vibe blends beautifully with the incredibly magnificent surroundings of Jasper National Park. It is Canada’s largest park in the Rockies at 4,355 square miles 11,228 square kilometers and boasts a world-class ski resort that makes for a delightful ski vacation smorgasbord.

Marmot Basin is big and really surprised me with its size and beauty. It is one of the crown jewel resorts in the Canadian Rockies with scenery that will rival anything you’ve seen before. It has highest base elevation of all resorts in the Canadian Rockies at 5,570 feet and a summit of 8,570 ft. It’s massive with four mountain faces and 1,720 acres of skiable terrain on 91 runs, three terrain parks and a vertical drop of an impressive 3,000 ft. Marmot Basin boasts snow-filled bowls averaging 173 inches of dry mountain powder a season. There’s a run for every member in the family with 60% beginner to intermediate and what I really like, all trails lead to the bottom at Caribou Chalet, so it’s perfect for family skiing. We enjoyed some runs cut through the trees on Paradise to mid-mountain Paradise Chalet, Punch Bowl and the black, Milk Run. There’s even a day care, Little Rascals Nursery for ages 19 months to six years-old with lessons and their own magic carpet along with an impressive School House Chair for beginners.

The beauty of Marmot Basin is small lift lines and easy parking. There’s seven chairs lifts and something very unique I’ve never seen before: Two, side-by-side chair lifts with The Canadian Rockies Express Quad and the Eagle Express Quad Chair. There’s also a new lift, the Knob Quad that takes you to the Marmot Peak. It was a picture-perfect day for my new Arc’teryx light and comfortable spring suit along with my Oakley Hollbrook Prizm shades. Our lunch was enjoyed at the Caribou Chalet Bar and Grill with a Budha Power Bowl overlooking the mountains then dinner at the popular Jasper Pizza Place, a family restaurant with wood fired pizzas.

The next morning, I woke to another Bluebird day on the slopes then took an afternoon drive into the stunning Park along the Icefields Parkway. It’s described as one of the most beautiful drives in the world, winding through forests, beautiful lakes, frozen falls, lookouts and an ancient glacier leading to the famous Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier. The Athabasca River gracefully winds through the valley leading to the famous Athabasca Falls. Don’t miss spectacular Maligne Lake with one of the most photographed islands in North America, serene Spirit Island and it’s magnificent crystalline colours.

Closing date for Marmot Basin May 5.

Dinner was another treat at the busy Jasper Brewing Co. for its fries and Rustic Elk Meatloaf, and the rest of the night was spent with George and his buddies swapping stories at the De’d Dog Bar & Grill for perfectly grilled, seasoned chicken wings. I can also recommend a really cool restaurant at the south end of town called Evil Dave’s Grill. Their “Sinful Starters” include the Vicious Hippies, which are dumplings filled with fresh veggies, while entrées include Malicious Salmon, Hells Chicken and my favourite, steak filled Cowboy Sushi. To top it all off, I had WTF for my deadly desert of fried banana spring rolls with chocolate and caramel sauce.

Another fun attraction in Jasper is the Jasper Sky Tram, just a 10-minute drive from downtown. It’s Canada’s highest and longest guided aerial tour at seven minutes, reaching an impressive 2,263 meters with Flight Attendants explaining your panoramic views.

You won’t need a vehicle in Jasper. Sundog shuttle offers return service from the Edmonton airport plus another shuttle getting you to and from Marmot Basin.

My Jasper adventure was more than just a trip, but rather a wonderful experience full of amazing scenery, no lift lines, fantastic value, friendly and proud people, incredible dining, and a world-class ski resort. Jasper is a place you need to experience yourself and you too, will leave with the famous, Rocky Mountain high.

My next trip will be heading further west to snowy Whistler Blackcomb.

Glenn Crouter is ski reporter for 640 Toronto and Ambassador for the Canadian Ski Council.

Check out our sports section for the latest news and analysis.