Ski the change in Jasper: expert terrain tips, spring skiing events & deals for skiing Marmot Basin

For Bartko, that expert terrain continues to draw her back, year after year. And it’s why you should have Jasper on your list for high alpine, expert terrain.

"Over the past 20 years, Marmot has continually tried to revamp and open up more and more terrain… it's really turned into this world-class resort."

Ski & ride Marmot Basin this spring

Shred wide-open, save with spring deals and celebrate at spring events

Spring is one of the best times to ski it all, too, since Marmot's snow pack is at its deepest and fresh refills tend to hit through March and April. 

And let's talk skier math a sec: with almost non-existent lift lines and 50% off via the Escape Card, Marmot offers one of the highest returns on ski runs to dollars.   

And here’s your guide to getting after it, with tips from Bartko, Marmot park crew’s Jordan Steeds and one crusty old patroller (yours truly).

Ski Marmot's top runs 

Big picture: in the last 15 years, the hill has grown to 91 ski runs across the mountain, much of that new advanced terrain. 

In that time, Bartko points out, the hill added/replaced three new quad chairs: 

• the Canadian Rockies Express (which propels you into the alpine faster)
• the Paradise (extending the length of runs off the Paradise face)
• and most recently, the new Knob Chair (increasing overall lift-accessed vertical by 200 metres!).

Those lifts and the new terrain they serve—including Tres Hombres and the new Cirque—have transformed the ski experience in Jasper. 

Not to mention, the increase in lift capacity and terrain options helps keep Marmot Basin liftlines short or non-existent (another perk). 

Ready to hit the big stuff? Here are six expert terrain/run recommendations.

Emilie Bartko's picks 

As a freestyle coach, Bartko looks for technical terrain with clean fall lines and big air features, like spines, cliffs, bumps and lips.

1) Tres Hombres: "I have a few athletes I'm training for an all-mountain event in Revelstoke, and that is the perfect place for us to train… finding different cliffs, some super-technical terrain." Bartko suggests Holy Guacamole (skier's left) for those seeking big mountain lines. 

2) Knob "Ballroom": the Ballroom, as it's known, drops directly below the chair (skiers' left), and makes previously hike-only terrain accessible right from the lift. "The new lift has done wonders," says Bartko. "I have skiers who go off Molly's [the cliffs under the lift line] again and again… now that they don't have to hike it. The new chair has opened up more challenging lines." 

Bottom line for Bartko: "the fact that Marmot Basin can offer terrain that backcountry skiers will hike hours and hours to obtain is pretty amazing."

Jordan Steeds' picks 

Steeds does double-duty as a terrain park attendant and ski instructor, through which he gets lots of time on the mountain.

Playful is the name of the game for Steeds and he encourages skiers and riders to get out of the park and explore: "We hike in the park, go hike out there on the big mountain." 

1) Paradise: "for air time outside the park, the Canadian Rockies Express chair is my go-to. You've got Dip Jump (off Basin Run), then Surfer's and into Punch Bowl there's some really great side hits." 

2) Hike-to areas: "park riders can relate to hiking; at Marmot there's some great terrain outside the park you can hike to. 

Cornice [off the Eagle Ridge chair] is the biggest bang for your buck. For a shorter hike, T-bar Ridge [off CRE] is really easy, takes five minutes and it's some fun turns usually with some fresh tracks.  

And you've gotta hike the Peak—it's super easy now with the new Knob chair and you can get an awesome Peak to bottom run."

My picks

Having spent 20 years on ski patrol here myself, I have a few more recommendations to amp your shred. 

1) Chutes: head for Stinson's (pictured above), the High Targets or No Fear for chutes that rival any you'll find in the West, at places like Kicking Horse or Revy. Just beautiful funnels. 

2) Eagle East: maybe not as new, but still some of the best expert skiing in Western Canada on a powder day. Drop in via the cliffs at Drop Zone (gate 2), or bomb one of the chutes like Morning Glory (gate 4) and then into some of the best glade skiing in the Rockies. 

Check out Terminator (below Drop Zone) for tight tree turns, or Hour Glass or Rock Gardens for playful bumps and jumps.

Spring events in Jasper 

Not only does Steeds know the mountain, he knows the scene at Marmot—daylighting as one of the DJ trio Park Crew Hates You. 

His take on the Marmot spring events scene: "They put a lot of effort into making sure there's always a lot going on on weekends.

"Bars at mid and lower, DJs, outdoor seating at both chalets—on my lunch breaks I love to sit out on the terrace and enjoy a burrito, or just chill at mid chalet by the fire." 

There's a big slate of events coming for spring too:

March 8   Coca-Cola Live Sessions  
featuring music by Marie-Pierre Flipo-Bergeron, at lower chalet

March 15  Coca-Cola Live Sessions 
feat. live music (artist tbd), at lower chalet

April 5 *  Neon Party (date to be confirmed) 
feat. DJ, BBQ at mid-mountain, Flag Run for Jasper Pride Festival 

Apr 4-13  Jasper Pride & Ski Festival
Events at Marmot Basin and around Jasper, get details here.

April 19  Corona Freeride (in conjunction with Labatt) 
feat. music in the Caribou Lounge, DJs at mid-mountain, BBQs, and drink specials, shuttles from town to the hill (first come first serve), and since it's also Easter weekend, Jasper the Bear and the Easter Bunny will be out handing out some treats! 

April 26  Mid-Mountain Party 
feat. DJs, BBQ, shuttle to/from the hill

May 4  Closing Weekend, events TBA

Check the Marmot Basin website more details on all spring events.

Jasper wildfire recovery 

One more good reason to visit Jasper? Fire may bring renewal to the landscape, but it's you who can help bring renewal to Jasper's community and local economy by skiing and travelling Canadian.

There's enough room for visitors, at local hotels and restaurants, without affecting the community's recovery efforts. In fact, by spending your ski dollars there, you're helping turn things around.

Losing several months of summer and fall revenue hurt in a big way, and the town needs your support now more than ever. 

Let's show the love to Jasper this spring.

Jasper spring skiing deals

And Marmot Basin is showing the love right back, with deals designed to make skiing and riding in Jasper more affordable (in the face of the nascent trade war with the US).

Here's how to save on spring skiing in Jasper, check out these spring deals:

• 20% off midweek tickets, Monday-Friday, 
  many Jasper hotels also offer discounts on room stays during the week, (e.g. Jasper Inn currently offering 30% off)
• 50% off with the Marmot Escape Card
• Family Package: $329+tax for two adult and two child (17 and under) lift tickets, valid any day without blackouts, and available online only
• Season passholders from other resorts receive 20% off until April 21st, and then 30% off from April 21st until the end of the season, any day of the week

Ski and travel Canadian this spring, in Jasper's Canadian Rockies, and you'll get the trifecta: awesome spring skiing, savings and events all rolled into one.

Marmot Basin's last day for the 2024-25 season is May 4 (*weather pending) and you now have all you need to know to make the most of it.  

Share your Marmot stoke and adventures by including the hashtags #skimarmot and #snowseekers, for a chance to be featured.