It was only supposed to be a salute to Marmot Basin’s 25th anniversary, but the Jasper in January Festival is still going strong after 21 years. The bright spot on the winter schedule includes two weeks of live musical performances, a chance to ski Marmot Basin with lift ticket sales, get in on the street party, join in on a cook-off, watch the Chef’s competition and get out into the wonderland that is the Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada.
Jasper in January
The schedule goes something like this:
- Arrive in Jasper, Alberta on Friday evening and head straight to the kick off party.
- Scuttle back to the hotel for the last good sleep of the next two weeks.
- Spend Saturday up on Marmot Basin taking advantage of the new Canadian Rockies Express high speed quad chair, a godsend for skiers who want the most out of their time. (It’s the longest high speed chairlift in the Rockies and largest chairlift development in North America.)
- Head back to the Jasper town site to get changed, get warm and get ready for the evening.
- At 6:00pm, take the kids (or the “inner” kid) to the family street party, where the young ones can mix it up with each other while their parents meet their new friends for the rest of the festival.
- Later in the night, there might even be a Jasper Wolves hockey game at the activity centre, where cheering for the home team is a must.
- Sunday starts with dog sledding tours at Pyramid Lake, followed by a skating party at Mildred Lake.
- Head to a local pub for a jam session in the afternoon and then spend the evening at a neighbourhood haunt (the Jasper Park Brewing Company is highly recommended, 624 Connaught Driver, 780-852-4111.)
- For the ladies, there are a couple of Ladies Night Out events, so make sure to pack those extra stylish outfits.
- Also make sure to take an ice walk through the stunning Maligne Canyon and wander on top of the magnificent Athabasca Glacier at the Columbia Icefield.
- Wash, rinse, repeat for the next two weeks. Weekends are, of course, much more jam packed with activities than weekdays.
Ski Marmot Basin
Getting up to ski at Marmot Basin is a necessity during any winter months in Jasper. Whether it’s taking part in the dual slalom races or taking advantage of the 25% off lift ticket deal, Marmot stays small town and affordable for families, couples and groups of friends.
Not impressed with the 86 trails that snake through the mountain? Then make sure to carve up some of the 1,675 acres of skiing and snowboarding terrain that makes this mountain a favourite with locals.
Always the centre of attention, the excellent Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge doesn’t disappoint. It hosts the skating party on Mildred Lake and sets up a Cabane A Sucre for those with a sweet tooth.
Rates are a hit, too. During Jasper in January, it’s possible to ski for free by booking a two-night stay (includes one free day on Marmot Basin and two lift tickets), or stay three nights (includes two days at Marmot and four lift tickets). Oh, and a brand spanking new spa is being built as this is written, so expect an opening in August 2010. Not a bad way to start the party, eh?
Lori Henry - A travel writer, Lori flits between exploring the world with incessant curiosity and huddling over her laptop writing.
Join the Conversation