Ten Ways to Make Winter Magical in Jasper

Friend stand in the middle of Maligne canyon taking in the views while ice walking and winter hiking in Jasper National Park

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Winter in the Canadian Rockies is the stuff dreams are made of. Jasper National Park is just the spot to live out your winter wonderland fantasies.

Stroll beside a frozen waterfall or learn how to climb one.
Spot elk, moose and mountain goats on wildlife safari tours.
Take a dog sled or helicopter tour to view the Rockies in a new way.

There’s nothing quite like winter in the  Canadian Rockies. With endless snowy adventures and cozy cabins to recharge in, Jasper National Park is especially enchanting this time of year. Here are 10 ways to have a magical winter in Jasper.

Get ready to shred it

You can’t come to the heart of the Canadian Rockies and not hit the slopes! Jasper’s  Marmot Basin is a powder haven, with the highest base elevation of any ski area in Canada. With close to 100 runs, almost equally divided between novice, intermediate, advanced and expert level, there’s something for everyone.

Three skiers front-on, skiing a groomed run at Marmot Basin in Jasper National Park — There’s skiing for all levels at this Rocky Mountain resort.

Step into an ice-walking adventure

Have you ever wondered what it’d be like to walk through a canyon, surrounded by waterfalls frozen in time? Ice walking is made possible with special footwear to walk on frozen surfaces. And Jasper National Park offers the most stunningly beautiful form of ice walking you might ever see. Maligne Canyon Icewalks by Pursuit guides you through an incredibly smooth-walled canyon. Not just any canyon. This is the deepest one in Jasper National Park. Walking along the frozen Maligne River, you’ll pass frozen waterfalls, ice caves and ice formations. It’s an unforgettable experience.

A distant shot of a group touring Maligne Canyon, surrounded by cool canyon formations, while ice walking in Jasper National Park — Experience the wonder of Maligne Canyon in winter.

Climb to new heights

If you’re feeling more adventurous after walking on a frozen river, why not try climbing a frozen waterfall?  Rockaboo Mountain Adventures’ introduction to ice-climbing will have you going from newbie to conquering a frozen waterfall within hours. You’ll be kitted out with crampons on your feet and an axe in your hand. All this plus a secure rope system to prevent falls, and you’ll discover it isn’t so scary after all.

An ice climber ascending with other climbers at the base, while ice climbing at Tangle Falls in Jasper National Park — If you can climb stairs, you can learn to ice climb. Seriously.

A winter wildlife safari

In Jasper, many of the locals have four legs, thick fur and a big set of antlers. It might be more common in some areas to see elk, a moose or even a mountain goat than a real-life human. Book a  wildlife tour and explore with a guide who knows the ins and outs of Jasper National Park. Even during winter, it's possible to view Rocky Mountain wildlife. Tours follow migration patterns and common sighting locations and share all about the wildlife who make this park home.

Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife in Jasper. Your chance of spotting cute critters is high.

Time to indulge

After a long day outdoors, it’s time to refuel. Satisfy your appetite and quench your thirst at Jasper Brewing Company, where you can find a wide range of craft beers, snacks and elevated pub food. The warm buttered soft pretzel comes highly recommended.

Friends enjoying craft beer and food at Jasper Brewing Company — Relax with a bite and a brew after a day of exploring.

A night under the stars

Did you know Jasper National Park is also a Dark Sky Preserve? It’s the second largest in the world, actually. And it’s the perfect place to see the night sky in all its glory. The sky comes alive in the winter, so get cozy with some hot chocolate and see what you can spot. Take a  Winter Dark Sky Astronomy Tour and view the milky way from the largest telescope in the Rockies. Or, if you’d rather stay indoors, visit the  Jasper Planetarium at the  Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. You can’t beat these star-studded views.

Woman looking at the stars through a telescope — The night sky in Jasper puts on an unforgettable show.

Explore by dog sled

Glide through a winter wonderland on a tried-and-true Canadian Rockies transportation method. Sit back and relax under cozy blankets while a team of seriously strong – and seriously adorable – sled dogs lead the way. The team (along with an expert guide) knows exactly where to go for the most stunning winter scenery.

A family dog sledding on an open trail, mountains in the background, in Jasper National Park — Sit back and relax while the team shows you the best scenery around.

Enjoy the view from above

Jasper is surrounded by picture-perfect views, but have you ever seen the Canadian Rockies from above? A  helicopter tour combines jaw-dropping views paired with unforgettable experiences. A heli snowshoe tour means navigating untouched powder while feeling like you’re on top of the world – literally.

Couple going Heli snowshoeing Nordegg Rockies Heli — Take in the Canadian Rockies in a way few people have ever experienced.

Glide across a frozen lake

Taking a twirl on a frozen mountain lake is a quintessentially Canadian experience that deserves a spot on any bucket list. No skates? No problem. The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge rents equipment so you can practice your footwork on the cleared rinks on Mildred Lake. Or head to Pyramid Lake and have some fun on the cleared oval track. When you’re ready for a break, pull up a spot around one of the outdoor fire pits.

Practice your footwork in a picturesque mountain setting.

Winter on two wheels

Who says you can’t bike in the snow? The extra-large, spongy tires on fat bikes grip the snow, granting year-round access to Jasper’s extensive trail network. You don’t need to be a cycling pro to fat bike, either. Rent a bike from  Pyramid Lake Lodge and take it for a spin. You may just find your new favourite winter pastime

A wide angle shot of two people fatbiking on a frozen Maligne Lake at sunset in Jasper National Park — Thanks to fat bikes, you can explore the trails year-round.