Jasper’s Marmot Basin is near the British Columbian border in the southwest of Alberta and offers a wide variety of terrain over two mountain peaks. All slopes are open to snowboarders, who also have a terrain park featuring rails, a permanent sound system and a boarder cross-course, plus a quarter-pipe and natural pipe.

Jasper is the resort town and supplies the lodgings, while facilities at the resort are fairly comprehensive, consisting of three mountain day lodges, a reputable ski school, childcare services, and a state-of-the-art ski/sports shop. Accommodation is in 15 lodges in Jasper, with space for over 18,000 people.

Marmot Basin’s 84 trails feature tree-lined beginner and intermediate runs, and open bowls and chutes for the experienced. Thirty per cent of runs are for beginners, 30 per cent for intermediates, 20 per cent advanced and 20 per cent for expert level boarders and skiers. The longest run is 5.6kms and nine lifts feed all pistes. Snowboarders also have the terrain park, while 19kms of cross-country trails are also on offer for skiers.

Other winter, non-skiing activities and facilities at Jasper’s Marmot Basin include: telemarking, snowshoeing, ice-climbing, ice-skating, ice-fishing, horse drawn sleigh riding, and back country touring. In addition, swimming, tobogganing and tubing are offered nearby. Après-ski is a laid-back affair with quality restaurants and a range of bars.

The ski season at Marmot Basin extends from late November to late April and has its best conditions throughout February, while reduced rates are available at the beginning of the season. A combination of flying to Edmonton International Airport and transferring by shuttle bus or hire car is the preferred method of travel to Marmot Basin ski resort; trains also run between Edmonton and Jasper.