Marmot Basin's biggest opening day ever? Winter brings hope to Jasper

Nov 25, 2024

Kicking off its 60th season on Friday, November 22, 2024, Marmot Basin celebrated what may be the most significant first day in its history since opening in 1964. With the wildfires of summer 2024 still a fresh wound, ski season came as a welcome respite for many.

More importantly, it brought with it a new season of tourism and opportunity to a town in recovery.

It also came with a weekend of continued snow, adding 10cm to the hill in three days to bring its base up to 50cm, resulting in some very good skiing across the Paradise, Ridge and lower mountain areas.

For the last couple weeks prior, ski resort staff worked all out to get the hill ready, putting the mountain well ahead of the same time last year. For opening weekend, Marmot Basin had three lifts operating including the Eagle Express in the lower, and the CRE and Ridge Chairs in the upper part of the mountain.

The vibe, in a word: JOYOUS.

Is Jasper open?

Again and again, I've been asked the question: is Marmot Basin open for the season? Can we go to Jasper? And what is it like there?

And I have one answer: YES. Yes, and go see for yourself. Both Marmot and Jasper are waiting to welcome back visitors, especially skiers and snowboarders. Marmot Basin is an anchor business in this small mountain town, and provides employment for many residents.

In addition, winter visits support restaurants, hotels and shops that need your patronage. And while the fire did its damage, much of the local businesses remain standing, open and ready to welcome you.

In the above post, local Manu Loir-Mongazon describes the frantic pace of skiing Jasper opening day, then turning around to work the local Moonlight Madness event that ran all weekend (a long running Jasper shopping tradition where stores stay open late and offer sales).

The town is ready and waiting.

Tips for your Jasper visit this winter

Some Jasperites may be a little raw still, having suffered such a shock, so approach your visit with patience and empathy.

Be prepared that things will look different, especially on the west end of town and your drive up to the ski area.

And it goes without saying, but don't go poking around for disaster tourism, or dredging up personal trauma with poorly chosen questions.

What's open in Jasper

You can check out the Jasper business guide in this Marmot Basin post to see all the businesses open now.

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Now is the time to show Jasper the love. While government and insurance dollars will help in the rebuilding of infrastructure, it's your presence as customers that will give Jasperites the ability to rebuild their economy and community. To independently push forward their own recovery.

So go ski and snowboard at Marmot, enjoy some après in town and love Jasper the way you always have, but maybe—considering what was lost, how much more was nearly lost and how much work there is yet to do to recover—maybe love it just a little bit more.