The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Marmot Basin's summit reaches 2,612 metres, dropping 914 vertical metres to a base at 1,698 metres across 91 runs spread over roughly 696 hectares within Jasper National Park, Alberta. Terrain splits 30 per cent each for beginner and intermediate, 20 per cent each for advanced and expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 4.5 metres. The resort carries Indy and Mountain Collective affiliation. Seven lifts, including four quad chairs, one double chair and one triple chair, serve the mountain alongside one surface lift.
Marmot Basin holds a genuinely distinctive place among Canadian Rockies resorts as Jasper National Park's sole ski area, sitting among the highest base elevations of any resort in Canada. This considerable elevation, combined with comparatively light crowds relative to the busier Banff-area resorts, has built Marmot's reputation as an uncrowded, high-alpine alternative within the Rockies.
Joe Weiss first guided cross-country skiers into Marmot Basin via Whistlers Creek in the 1920s, and the first trail was blazed from the Athabasca Valley the following decade. The British Army used the basin for alpine training manoeuvres in 1942, before operator Toby Rayner built the first tow rope in 1961 out of spare parts salvaged from an old British Army truck.
Marmot Basin Ski-Lifts Ltd officially launched operations in Jasper National Park in 1964. The ski area remains owned and operated today by Rocky Mountain Skiing Incorporated, on land leased from the federal government of Canada. Adult daily tickets run at a flat 149 Canadian dollars.
914m
Vertical
91
Runs
1,720 acres
Skiable
5m
Annual snow
Indy / Mountain Collective
Pass
The Terrain
91 runs across 1,720 acres skiable
Marmot Basin in Jasper National Park is a compact, well-balanced mountain with 91 runs across about 696 hectares. It drops 914 metres from the 2,612-metre summit to a base at 1,698 metres, and the grading is unusually even: 30% beginner, 30% intermediate, 20% advanced and 20% expert. With about 4.5 metres of snowfall a year it is not the deepest of the Rockies resorts, but the layout is easy to read and the steeper terrain is a larger share than most skiers expect. Families can ski together here without anyone getting bored or out of their depth.
The Knob Chair reaches the highest terrain, with Charlie's Bowl, Party Slope and several steep chutes. The Paradise Chair covers black runs that are best on powder days, while Eagle Ridge opens the Chalet Slope trees and leads across to Eagle East, a small pocket of double black runs with rocky features and tight trees. Caribou Ridge adds bumps and natural hits for freeriders. Beginners have their own gentle slopes below. Marmot suits families, progressing intermediates and advanced skiers wanting steep, uncrowded lines, and its mix is hard to match among Alberta's mid-size mountains.
Terrain split
91
runs
91 runs across 4 grades
Beginner27 runs · 30%
Intermediate27 runs · 30%
Advanced18 runs · 20%
Expert18 runs · 20%
Time it right
When to visit Marmot Basin
The 2025-26 season at Marmot Basin ran from 21 November 2025 to 5 April 2026, a roughly nineteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 4.5 metres at the resort's considerable elevation. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather in Jasper National Park.
Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to Marmot's evenly balanced terrain. As an Indy and Mountain Collective resort, Marmot draws pass-holding visitors alongside travellers seeking Jasper National Park's comparatively uncrowded alpine scenery relative to the busier Banff corridor.
Marmot's considerable elevation and family-friendly terrain mix continue to support strong visitation throughout the season from across Alberta and beyond. School holiday periods bring family visitation given the resort's evenly split terrain across all ability levels.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Marmot Basin continues to build on more than six decades of history since its 1964 founding as Marmot Basin Ski-Lifts Ltd, itself following decades of informal skiing dating to Joe Weiss's 1920s guided tours. The resort's high elevation and Jasper National Park setting remain central to its enduring appeal.
Season 2026 - 2027
25 Nov 2026
Opens
2 May 2027
Closes
158
Days open
5 m
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Marmot Basin, and where to stay
Marmot Basin sits within Jasper National Park, Alberta, with a base elevation of 1,698 metres and a summit at 2,612 metres across a 914-metre vertical drop over roughly 696 hectares. This considerable base elevation places Marmot among the highest-base ski areas in Canada.
The town of Jasper, a genuine national park community, offers extensive lodging, dining and services within a short drive of the resort, providing a considerably quieter alternative to the busier Banff townsite further south.
Alberta Highway 93A and the Icefields Parkway provide direct access to the resort from Jasper. Winter driving conditions on these routes can include snow and ice, and the resort's location within a remote national park means travellers should carry appropriate equipment.
Edmonton International Airport, roughly a four-hour drive away, is the primary gateway for visitors flying into the region, with Jasper's considerable distance from major population centres drawing a genuinely dedicated visitor base seeking a quieter Rockies experience.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Marmot Basin, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Vermont Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: Few Dates Set, Killington Waits on the Cold
Vermont's season is slow to take shape. Stratton is tentatively targeting 18 November and Sugarbush 21 November, while Pico has Friday 11 December on the calendar. Killington never sets a date and opens when the snowmaking allows, and Vail Resorts has yet to name days for Stowe, Okemo and Mount Snow. The forecasts disagree about snow, and the main El Niño worry for the Green Mountains is warmth.
9 Oct 2026
Crans-Montana 2027 World Championships President Resigns Ahead of Fraud Hearing
Less than four months out from the Crans-Montana 2027 World Championships, the man running the organising committee has stepped down. Claude-Alain Schmidhalter resigned as Swiss-Ski vice president and OC president after being indicted over a business dispute unrelated to skiing. He denies the allegations and faces court on October 27. Interim leaders are in place for the February 1-14 event.
9 Oct 2026
Kelly Canyon, Idaho, Adds Snowmaking, a Bigger Terrain Park and More Parking for 2026-27
Kelly Canyon had a rough 2025-26, and the Idaho resort has spent the summer making sure it doesn’t repeat. Snowmaking now reaches the top of Goldrush, the terrain park is doubling in size with a stereo system, lights and a snack shack, and the car park is getting bigger. Grooming is stepping up too. Target opening is December 4, conditions permitting.
9 Oct 2026
Valle Nevado Extends Season to November 8 After 108 cm in 48 Hours
Winter was meant to be winding down in Chile. Then Valle Nevado took 108 cm in 48 hours in early October, and the resort has pushed its closing date out to November 8 - its latest in 38 years of operation. That makes 143 days of skiing since opening day on June 19, with 690 cm banked for the season. Only part of the mountain is running while the storm settles, so check the mountain report before you plan a trip.
9 Oct 2026
Alps Snow Forecast: Cold Front Brings Thursday Snow to the High Alps
The Alps look a lot more like winter today, for a day or so. A cold front is moving west to east, dropping up to 35 cm on high glaciers and peaks, with snow levels falling to around 1,500-1,800 m at times. Don’t plan a trip around it: mid-elevation snow will be thin and wet, every area is closed bar a limited Sölden glacier opening tomorrow, and warmer weather returns by Monday.
8 Oct 2026
California Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: Mammoth Leads, Tahoe Follows
Mammoth Mountain is first up in California, targeting Friday 13 November after a dusting of September snow. Heavenly and Northstar follow on 20 November, Palisades Tahoe on Wednesday 25 November and Sugar Bowl on 27 November, with Kirkwood on 4 December and June Mountain on 19 December. Plenty of smaller areas have no date yet. A super El Niño favours the Sierra, but a warmer storm track is the catch.
7 Oct 2026
Colorado Ski Resort Opening Dates 2026-27: A-Basin and Keystone Race to Be First
Arapahoe Basin, Keystone and Winter Park are all chasing an October start, though none has a firm date yet. The first dated openers are Breckenridge and Copper on Friday 6 November, then Vail on 13 November, with most of the rest bunched around US Thanksgiving. Hesperus did not open at all last season. A super El Niño offers hope but no guarantee, and forecasters say the southern mountains have the better odds.
5 Oct 2026
Dolomiti Superski 2026-27: Four New Gondolas, New Reservoirs and an €89 Peak Day Pass
Dolomiti Superski is spending around €100 million across its 12 areas before winter. Kronplatz gets a new 10-passenger gondola with a middle station, 3 Zinnen gets Helmissimo, and Val di Fassa swaps a chairlift for a gondola above Col Valvacin. New water-storage basins and upgraded snowmaking follow, and construction has started on the San Martino to Passo Rolle link. A peak adult day pass is €89.
4 Oct 2026
Marmot Basin Lift Tickets
Marmot Basin lift tickets & passes
Opening day for the winter 2026 - 2027 season is scheduled for Nov 25, 2026 (subject to change). Lift tickets at Marmot Basin typically go on sale well before the start of the ski season.
Day passes start from CA$52, with peak rates up to CA$149.
Indy / Mountain Collective9 pass options
Single-day passes
Adult 18–64
Adult Full Day Ticket
CA$149
Marmot Basin offers exceptional skiing in Jasper National Park with 91 trails across 1,720 acres. Experience Canada's highest base elevation ski area with uncrowded slopes and stunning mountain views.
Buy passYouth 13–17
Youth Full Day Ticket
CA$120
Marmot Basin youth lift tickets provide access to diverse terrain in Jasper National Park. Perfect for young skiers exploring groomed runs, trees, moguls, and alpine bowls at Canada's highest base elevation.
Buy passChild 6–12
Junior Full Day Ticket
CA$52
Marmot Basin junior tickets for children ages 6-12. Experience family-friendly skiing in the spectacular Jasper National Park setting with 7 lifts serving terrain suitable for all abilities.
Buy passSenior 65–79
Senior Full Day Ticket
CA$120
Marmot Basin senior discounted lift tickets for guests 65-79. Enjoy skiing at Canada's highest base elevation with access to 91 trails and uncrowded slopes in Jasper National Park.
Buy passSenior 80–99
Super Senior Full Day Ticket
Free
Free lift access for guests 80+ at Marmot Basin. Must be issued at ticket window with valid ID. Experience complimentary skiing in the beautiful Jasper National Park setting.
Buy passChild 0–5
Mite Ticket
Free
Free lift access for children 5 and under at Marmot Basin. Must be issued at ticket window. Perfect introduction to skiing in the pristine Jasper National Park environment.
Buy passYouth 18–24
Student Full Day Ticket
CA$120
Marmot Basin student tickets for full-time students ages 18-24 with valid student ID. Must be purchased at ticket window. Access to all 91 trails in Jasper National Park.
Buy passHalf-day passes
Adult 18–64
Adult Afternoon Ticket
CA$118
Marmot Basin afternoon lift tickets starting at 12:30 PM. Experience half-day skiing with full mountain access including access to alpine bowls and chutes in Jasper National Park.
Buy passSeason passes
Adult 18–99
Marmot Escape Card
CA$99
Marmot Basin Escape Card offers 50% off lift tickets every day all season with no blackout dates. Perfect for frequent visitors to Jasper National Park skiing.
Buy passLift tickets FAQ
How much does a Marmot Basin day pass cost?
Marmot Basin day passes range from CA$52 to CA$149 depending on the date and advance booking.
Can I buy Marmot Basin lift tickets online?
Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
Are there discounts for multi-day passes?
Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
What is included with a Marmot Basin lift ticket?
Full access to all lifts and trails at Marmot Basin, including mountain safety and patrol services.
What is the difference between Marmot Basin lift tickets and ski passes?
"Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Marmot Basin - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
When should I buy Marmot Basin lift tickets for the best price?
Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
Does Marmot Basin offer group discounts on lift tickets?
Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Marmot Basin directly for group booking information and rates.
How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?
Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Marmot Basin.
More Marmot Basin intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.