Extended Spring Skiing
When the town of Jasper is starting to bloom and the lower valley hiking and biking trails are open, Marmot Basin is still being enjoyed by skiers soaking up the warm weather on the slopes. Open all the way until May 5th, Marmot Basin’s ski season is longer than most thanks to its consistent snow conditions year after year. Being positioned at a high elevation and with tall peaks casting shadows on key areas, the snow base gets preserved during the lengthy season. Additionally, snow making capabilities located at the lower mountain areas allow the ability to supplement shortages as needed, providing peace of mind for those looking for a spring ski destination with promising snow conditions.
Highest Base Elevation of Major Canadian Ski Areas
Want good snow? Go up, go way up. Having a high base elevation has a few benefits that Marmot Basin gets to enjoy including great snow, long season, and incredible panoramic views of surrounding mountain ranges. With an entire chairlift dedicated to above-treeline terrain, skiers and boarders get a chance to experience the feeling of carving through wide open runs with limitless views. For those looking to feel like they are standing on the top of the world, all it takes is a 20-minute hike from the Knob Chairlift to the 8570 ft. tall Marmot Peak.
Longest High-Speed Quad Chair
The signature chairlift at Marmot Basin is the Canadian Rockies Express (CRE). Since being built for the 2009/10 season, this giant lift stretching 2.3 kilometers has earned itself the title as the longest high-speed quad chair in the Canadian Rockies. In under 8 minutes, riders get shuttled to a zone that provides centralized access to all the hot spots of the mountain.
Frequent Temperature Inversions
We won’t get into the scientific definition and details behind what a temperature inversion is, all you need to know is that it helps moderate Marmot Basin’s temperatures on some of the colder days of the year. For instance, it’s not uncommon to experience temperatures that are 10-15°C warmer at mid-mountain than in the town of Jasper. This is caused by a layer of cool air being trapped at lower elevations while a layer of warmer air floats on top (the inversion layer) in higher elevations. Thanks to the position of Marmot Basin within the mountain ranges, we are situated in a very favourable location and commonly experience inversions.
Tres Hombres: Inspired by 1970's Ski Bums
Marmot Basin’s newest terrain, Tres Hombres, is an expert skiers’ dream – steep, long, and wide open. However, despite being “new” terrain, this section has a bit of a mischievous history. Back in the 1970’s right around the time ZZ Top released their album, Tres Hombres, this mountain area was gaining attention from ski bums looking to push the boundaries. These three rebel skiers had illegally snuck into the area now known as Tres Hombres, and the run was so good, they had to ski it for a second time! Rumor has it that the ZZ Top album was their favourite album of the season, and it became their code name for the favourite run of the season as well.
