Exploring Jasper in the winter is truly incredible, there are so many amazing outdoor winter activities to do. The town isn’t flooding with people like it is in the summertime, but instead, Jasper is filled with ski bums and wintertime adventurers. I live 4 hours from Jasper National Park and visit frequently each year! These are the best things to do in Jasper in the winter!
In this article, I will cover things to know and the best things to do in Jasper during winter, as well as as well as other information like where to eat, where to stay, and frequently asked questions!
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Winter in Jasper: Things to Know
- Snow usually falls in late September and snow can stick around as late as June.
- The best time to do these amazing winter activities in Jasper is after everything has had a chance to freeze over, so I would plan to visit between early December and late February.
- If you’re planning to book a tour, double check when the tour runs before solidifying all details of your trip.
- Make sure to dress warm and be prepared for cold weather. Mountain temperatures can fluctuate between -2 C and -40 C in the winter. The key to warmth is layers!!!
Jasper Activities in Winter
1. Maligne Canyon Ice Walk
The Maligne Canyon icewalk is an incredible and jaw-dropping activity to do in Jasper during the winter. Located about 15 minutes out of town, Maligne Canyon freezes over and allows visitors to explore in a way that is only possible during winter. Explore Maligne Canyon on a guided tour, or explore on your own with the right equipment.
Tip: Rent or bring a pair of ice cleats/crampons to wear
After exploring frozen Maligne Canyon, grab a bite to eat at the Maligne Canyon Wilderness Kitchen in the same parking lot!
2. Dog Sledding in the Rocky Mountains
A truly Canadian experience, dog sledding is the perfect wintertime activity in the Canadian Rockies. Surrounded by mountains and snow covered pine trees, this is a bucket list worthy activity you can’t miss in Jasper during winter. Cold Fire Creek Dogsledding is an Indigenous tour company ready to show you the mountain landscapes by sleddog. I went dog sledding in Canmore, which is closer to Banff but still amazing!
3. Christmas in Jasper!
Christmas time is during the winter months in Alberta, and Jasper is a great place to spend the holidays! The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge usually holds an event called “Christmas in November” each year (18+ event and runs in November), and there are typically sleigh rides at Pyramid Lake as well.
4. Jasper Brewing Company
Jasper in the wintertime can be chilly and the sun sets pretty early, meaning enjoying a beer at the Jasper Brewing Company is one of the best things to do! Located right in Downtown Jasper, spend your evening here and try a local beer, like the Jasper the Bear Ale.
5. Winter Fat Biking
Winter and snowy conditions doesn’t stop the locals from getting out on their bikes, and it shouldn’t stop you either! Rent a fat bike (a bike with really thick tires that can get through snow) to explore some popular winter trails in nature. Just make sure you’re not biking on the cross country ski trails!
6. Ice Skating on Jasper’s Frozen Lakes
Jasper is home to stunning lakes that are perfect to skate on after everything freezes. Ice skating is one of my favourite Jasper winter activities. Some of my favourite lakes to skate on are:
- Pyramid Lake – 12 minutes from town and regularly maintained by Pyramid Lake Resort, this lake allows visitors to skate with Pyramid Mountain as a backdrop. In 2022, this rink was cleared in a circle shape.
- Mildred Lake – 10 minutes out of town, this lake is located at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and offers incredible views as well. In 2022, this was more of an ice path around the lake, with inlets of little rinks with hockey nets. (Mildred Lake is pictured above)
7. Bring a Hockey Stick and Play Hockey!
What better way to spend winter in Jasper than to ice skate on a frozen alpine lake and play hockey surrounded by the mountains! Bring your own hockey sticks and puck and play at Pyramid Lake, or check out Mildred Lake where they actually clear off different areas of the lake for hockey.
8. Enjoy a Winter Hike in Jasper
A lot of roads close around Jasper in the wintertime, so hikes can be limited when you’re in the dead of winter. It can be hard to find sweeping views because of heavy snow on high incline trails, but some nice winter hikes with less of an incline to check out are Lake Annette and Valley of the Five Lakes.
Tip: Check trail conditions before heading out, snowshoes or crampons may be useful!
9. Cross Country Skiing
Spending an afternoon cross country skiing is the perfect option to get outdoors and explore Jasper National Park. You can rent a pair of skis for the day from Totem Jasper Ski Shop and find information on recommended trails and current trail conditions at Parks Canada.
10. Day Trip to Abraham Lake Ice Bubbles
Abraham Lake is around 2.5 hours from Jasper by car, and is a great addition to your Icefields Parkway itinerary. The lake is a unique Alberta gem because frozen bubbles of methane are trapped below the ice surface, creating a very cool effect. Before heading out, check the road conditions of the Parkway. Winter tires are required and there can be a risk of an avalanche during the winter. If you’re not a confident winter driver, I wouldn’t recommend adding this to the itinerary.
Check out my experience visiting Abraham Lake’s frozen ice bubbles!
11. Frozen Athabasca Falls
Another great winter activity in Jasper is seeing the frozen waterfalls. My two favorites (Athabasca and Sunwapta) are located on the Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Banff and are just a short walk from their parking lots. Athabasca Falls is a 30 minute drive from town and is absolutely beautiful in the winter! The waterfall itself may be partially or fully frozen, surrounded by snow covered trees and mountain tops dusted with snow.
12. Sunwapta Falls
Sunwapta Falls is a 45 minute drive from Jasper town, but only about 17 minutes further down the Icefields Parkway from Athabasca Falls. Because there is a little island of trees right before the actual waterfall, Sunwapta Falls provides slightly different scenery, but is still stunning when surrounded by snow covered mountains and trees.
I would highly recommend checking out both waterfalls if you can and exploring some of the walking trails in the area around them as well!
13. Marmot Basin Skiing/Snowboarding
Marmot Basin is the only ski hill around Jasper, but it’s a skier’s dream. If you’ve ever dreamed of skiing on a mountain, this is your chance to check it off the bucket list!
Discounted rates are offered for visiting Marmot Basin midweek and booking your tickets online. Make sure to budget the price of rentals into your cost as well.
14. Ice Climbing in Jasper in Winter
If you’re really after a winter adventure in Jasper, look into climbing up a frozen waterfall! Rockaboo Mountain Adventures will help you with everything you need to check this activity off the bucket list – no experience needed.
Tip: If visiting in January, they usually offer a discount while the “Jasper in January” festival is on.
15. Snowshoe Around Maligne Lake
Maligne Lake in the winter is the perfect place to visit in Jasper National Park. There are quite a few snowshoeing trails along Maligne Lake, so you can easily spend a lot of time exploring the area here. Check out the Mary Shäffer Loop, Moose Lake Loop, or the 8 km journey to Hidden Cove, which is a backcountry campsite you can canoe to in the summertime.
If you’re going to be on the lake itself, make sure to check ice conditions beforehand.
16. Relax in a Hot Tub or Heated Pool
Some hotels have outdoor hot tubs available to their guests (like the Mount Robson Inn), and I definitely think it is worth spending the money for a hotel with a hot tub in the wintertime – it’s the absolute best!
Another great option though is booking your stay at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, which has an indoor/outdoor heated pool and hot tub. If you can’t actually stay at the hotel (it’s expensive) but still want to enjoy the amenities, you can get a day pass from the hotel’s wellness centre to access the pool and hot tub.
Note: The road to the hot springs in Jasper (Miette Hot springs) is closed in the winter time, meaning you cannot visit Jasper’s hot springs in the winter!
17. Jasper in January Winter Festival
The annual winter festival, Jasper in January celebrates the winter time and has something for everybody! There are pond hockey tournaments at Mildred Lake, outdoor market stalls, fireworks, and more. If you’re planning to visit Jasper in January, make sure to check the days different activities are happening and plan accordingly!
18. Stop at Frozen Medicine Lake
On your way to Maligne Lake, make sure to stop at Medicine Lake as you drive Maligne Road. The ice here is not monitored so be careful walking on the ice, as it can get snowy and be difficult to tell the thickness of it!
19. Look for Wildlife on a Wildlife Tour
Jasper is an amazing place to see wildlife, and signing up for a wildlife tour will increase your chances of seeing some incredible animals! Keep in mind, bears are hibernating throughout the winter, but moose, elk, and goats are still out in Jasper National Park during the winter time.
20. Watch for the Aurora or Stargaze
Jasper National Park is a dark sky preserve, which means there is barely any light pollution and it is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights. Sign up for Northern Lights alerts or join a Facebook group about Alberta Auroras and head outside! Even if you don’t catch the Aurora, the stars in Jasper are amazing.
One of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Jasper during winter is Pyramid Lake.
Another option is to head to the Jasper Planetarium and the Planetarium Dome Theater.
21. Head to the Local Theatre
The Chaba Theatre is located in Downtown Jasper, and is the local movie theatre! If it’s super chilly out and you’re looking for an indoor activity, head to the Chaba Theatre and catch whatever movies playing that day.
Unfortunately, the Chaba Theatre has since closed in Jasper National Park.
22. Grab Some Coffee & a Scone at the Bear’s Paw Bakery
My absolute favourite cafe in Jasper is the Bear’s Paw Bakery, and I can never resist getting a white chocolate and raspberry scone whenever I visit. It is so good!!! Make sure to set aside some time to stop in and pick up a coffee and scone (or other treat of your choice) to go, or eat in and spend some time in their cute seating area!
23. Winter at Pyramid Lake
Pyramid Lake in the wintertime has a lot to offer visitors – from ice skating and hockey, to seasonal sleigh rides, make sure to stop at this amazing lake! Exploring the lake itself is also a great winter activity – make sure to check out Pyramid Island and cross the famous bridge to get there (and snap a photo!).
24. Explore Downtown Jasper in Winter
Downtown Jasper has some great little shops to go into where you can buy souvenirs or candy, or pop into a cafe for a drink to warm up. Jasper has some great restaurants as well, a favourite being the Jasper Brewing Company. Another option for exploring Jasper this winter is stopping at the Friends of Jasper gift shop in town, for a sticker or other fun souvenir while supporting programs that run in the National Park.
25. Go for a Scenic Helicopter Tour
A bucketlist activity in Jasper is definitely exploring the Rockies from above by signing up for a helicopter tour. There are a few options, but the two most popular tours seem to be an Abraham Lake Ice Bubbles Helicopter Tour or this Helicopter & Snowshoes Tour. Make sure your cameras are charged for this incredible experience!
26. Or, Sign up for a Food Tour!
If you’re looking for a tour that isn’t as expensive as the helicopter tour above, something fun to try would be signing up for a Jasper Food Tour. This particular tours run in the afternoons and includes great food in Jasper’s downtown, but you will also learn about the history of Jasper itself!
Other Information on Jasper in the Winter Time
Where to eat and where to stay in Jasper!
Eating in Jasper
Where to get breakfast in Jasper:
- Sunhouse Cafe: I think this is one of the prettiest places for breakfast in Jasper – because the roof is basically a glass sunroof! Stop here for a delicious start to your morning.
- Bears Paw Bakery or The Other Paw: Mentioned above, you cannot miss this cafe! Grab a breakfast sandwich here or a special morning treat like the raspberry white chocolate scone.
- Papa George’s: Eating at Papa George’s for breakfast will give you a classic, yummy breakfast for a decent price. I like to eat here when I’m looking for a tasty meal that’s still budget friendly.
- Coco’s Cafe: Another super cute cafe on Patricia St, Coco’s has quick breakfasts like bagels, wraps, and overnight oats. It’s so good I would definitely recommend Coco’s for breakfast in Jasper!
Where to get dinner in Jasper:
- Jasper Pizza Place: A super cute place to grab pizza in Jasper – split one with a friend to save money!
- Jasper Brewing Company: One of the most popular places to eat in Jasper, stop at the Jasper Brewing Company for beer and a great meal.
- Famoso: I love to eat at Famoso for pizza and their prosciutto wrapped mozza balls. The atmosphere is cozy and it’s a great place for dinner!
For lunch in Jasper, you can grab sandwiches from one of the local bakeries or cafes in the morning and save it for later, pop in for soup and salad at lunch, or stop at one of the many restaurants Jasper has to offer (a few listed in the dinner section).
Where to Stay in Jasper During Winter
- HI Jasper or Jasper Downtown Hostel: There are 2 hostels located in downtown Jasper and both are great options for the budget-minded traveller. HI Jasper is newer, with an onsite cafe and a sauna. Jasper Downtown Hostel usually has promotions for ski hill tickets.
- Astoria Hotel: The Astoria Hotel is mid-budget – the rooms are nice and clean, but there isn’t really a front lobby/sitting area and breakfast isn’t included in your stay. It is located in a nice spot beside Papa George’s restaurant and walking distance to downtown, and has great options for parking.
- Forest Park Hotel: Formerly called the Sawridge Inn, the Forest Park Hotel is located in Downtown Jasper and is absolutely beautiful. There are 2 onsite restaurants, an indoor pool and hot tub, it’s pet-friendly, and has free parking for guests.
- Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge: A luxury stay, the Fairmont JPL is surrounded by mountains, lakes, and gorgeous scenery. Stay here for access to the heated pool and hot tubs, and be right by Mildred Lake for winter ice skating.
- Pyramid Lake Lodge Resort: Another luxury stay, Pyramid Lake Resort is also located in a stunning area (on Pyramid Lake) and has so much to offer their guests right at the hotel. Guests get access to complimentary rentals like ice skates, fat bikes, and snowshoes (make sure to book directly with the resort).
Jasper in Winter Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! There are so many things to do in Jasper in winter. A few of the best things you cannot miss include ice skating, dog sledding, and visiting the frozen waterfalls (Athabasca Falls, Sunwapta Falls, and Maligne Canyon).
Yes, Jasper is open in the wintertime! Some popular roads/attractions such as the Miette Hot Springs and Mount Edith Cavell are not open though, so make sure to plan ahead!
Yes, you can definitely see the Northern Lights in Jasper, but it is never guaranteed! Jasper is a Dark Sky Preserve so there is very limited light pollution, making it a great spot to see the Aurora. Head to Pyramid Lake for a nice spot to view them if they’re expected to come out!
Overall it is safe to drive to Jasper in the winter, as long as the road conditions on the highway are good. Depending on the road conditions, sometimes it can be smarter to delay the drive or wait for conditions to be better, as it can be dangerous to drive on icy roads during winter in Alberta.
There are bears in the Jasper area during winter, but they are hibernating, so it is incredibly rare to actually see a bear in Jasper in winter!
Generally, it is safe as long as you drive to the conditions and are prepared. Sometimes the road will close if there is a large risk, and keep in mind the road can be quite windy and has no cell phone service. Snow chains or tires are required to drive the Icefields Parkway in the wintertime because of changing road conditions, the road is not salted, and there is always a chance of ice and snow. Always drive with care and be prepared for any emergency when driving in the Rockies in winter!
If you’re wanting to visit Lake Louise during your trip to Jasper, you’ll have to drive Highway 93, The Icefields Parkway, to get there as this is the road that connects Jasper to Banff!
Winter in Jasper Summary
Jasper in winter is a stunning destination offering a bunch of outdoor adventures and cozy experiences! With fewer crowds and a walkable downtown, Jasper is a great spot for ski enthusiasts and nature lovers.
There are a ton of winter activities like dog sledding, ice climbing, and skiing at Marmot Basin, as well as ice skating on frozen lakes or trying to see the aurora borealis!
There is something for everyone here, I hope this guide helped you to plan your winter trip!
Thanks for reading! What are your favourite things to do in Jasper in winter?
Looking for more ideas? Check out our Jasper Bucket List or our Guide to Visiting Alberta.
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Hey! I’m Kat. Based in Alberta, Canada I love to travel to the Rockies and explore new places around the world. Follow along on my adventures and find inspiration and tips for your own travels.
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