Did you know that Jasper is home to one of the largest national parks in the Canadian Rockies? Located in Alberta, Canada, Jasper is a bucket list winter travel destination for adventure seekers. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jasper is widely recognized as one of the most beautiful places on earth. Winter visitors, in particular, will find stunning frozen waterfalls, world class skiing, and fewer crowds than in summer and early fall. In this blog post we share what to do in Jasper over a weekend. This is the ultimate winter weekend itinerary for Jasper! Below we also share what to pack, where to stay in Jasper, and how to get to Jasper National Park.

Travel tip: for those unfamiliar with this region, the town of Jasper is located in Jasper National Park.The town of Jasper is the economic and cultural hub of the area.

Looking for more Canada travel inspiration? Click here for more Canada travel itineraries and guides from Gwyn and Ami!

What to do in Jasper: ultimate winter weekend itinerary 

Below you will find a two day weekend itinerary tailored to winter visitors to the national park and town of Jasper. We share everything you need to know about where to stay, what to pack, and what to expect. We also break down what to do in Jasper National Park by sharing the ultimate winter weekend itinerary.

This content was created in partnership with Destination Canada, Travel Alberta, and Tourism Jasper. All opinions and perspectives are our own.

Everything you need to know about visiting Jasper

Is Jasper still worth visiting after the 2024 fire?

In summer 2024 Jasper experienced a devastating wildfire, and I know many people have questions about visiting in 2025 and beyond. The fire burned 89,000 acres (36,000 hectares), and it’s impossible to ignore the impacts on the town and landscape. You might find yourself asking, ‘Is Jasper still worth visiting?’

I’m happy to report that it is still WELL worth visiting Jasper after the 2024 fire. In fact, Jasper is open and eager for business! Many of the iconic hikes and vistas remain relatively untouched by fire, and the downtown core of Jasper is still open and thriving. As the landscape recovers we can expect stunning wildflowers and the return of wildlife to the area. We saw tons of elk, sheep, and birds during our time in the park!

Now, more than ever, it’s important to support the local Jasper economy and to recreate responsibly. I highly recommend planning a trip to this incredible Canadian national park and iconic alpine town! You can click here to learn more about the fire, the reopening of Jasper, and how to be a safe and respectful visitor.

How to get to Jasper in Alberta, Canada

Jasper National Park is located in the Canadian Rockies, and requires a bit of a drive (or train ride) to get to. The closest big city and airport to Jasper is in Edmonton, which is the capital of Alberta. If you plan to fly to Jasper I recommend flying into Edmonton and spending a day or two there before driving to the national park. The car ride between Jasper and Edmonton is about 4 hours long. For Americans flying into Canada from the west coast, it’s likely you will have layovers in Seattle (and possibly Vancouver, BC). You can also drive from places like Spokane, which is 9 hours away. 

Travel Tip: Flying into Edmonton? Click here for our 1 day itinerary for Alberta’s vibrant capital city.

Another option is to fly into Calgary (second closest major airport) or Vancouver (third closest major airport). Calgary is a great choice for visitors who also want to see Banff, and who want to drive up the famous Icefields Parkway (described below). Vancouver is quite a bit farther, but is a great starting destination for a longer trip. 

Click here for more details for how to get to Jasper National Park.

What’s the weather like in winter in Jasper?

Jasper has four distinct and beautiful seasons. Summer and early fall are the most popular and crowded times to visit. Visitors who travel to Jasper in winter  get to experience a unique time in the park, and far fewer crowds! In winter the park is covered in a layer of snow, and in spring the landscape is starting to thaw from the winter snows and freeze. Visitors in April and beyond may see wildflowers, and spring is the best season for viewing wildlife here. The snowmelt also means that the waterfalls are at their prime.

March average highs are in the 30s, with lows around 10 degrees F. April and May bring highs in the 40s, with lows ranging from about 15 – 25 degrees. Visitors will need to be prepared for the cold, but won’t encounter the more extreme temperatures you will find here from December – February. Winter visitors should prepare for below freezing temperatures and lots of snow!

What to pack for winter in Jasper

Packing for a winter trip to Jasper means preparing for cold weather. See below for our packing list essentials for a trip to Jasper National Park!

• A warm jacket, waterproof shell, and snow pants.
• Waterproof hiking boots.
• Sunglasses. The snow and ice can be bright!
• Baselayers. These add lots of warmth!
• Warm mittens or gloves.
• A warm winter hat.
• Ski and snowboard accessories. If you plan to hit the slopes make sure to bring goggles and any other accessories or equipment you might need!
• Sunscreen.
• Wool socks. 
• Cute clothes and sweaters for in-town adventures.

Lastly, I highly recommend bringing microspikes, aka trail crampons. Our favorites are from Hillsound (a Canadian company). Trails can be slick and icy in the colder months, so it’s best to be prepared! We put our microspikes in our checked bags.

Where to stay in Jasper, Alberta 

During our trip we stayed at Bear Hill Lodge in Jasper, which has cute and cozy cabins walking distance to downtown. The rooms have kitchenettes and fireplaces, making this the perfect getaway spot for relaxing and exploring town.

The grounds of Bear Hill Lodge have lots of trees, and we even spotted some elk on the property upon check-in! You’ll also find your room stocked with local coffee. I really appreciated being so close to everything in town – we only used our rental car when driving into the park! We were able to walk to all the shops and restaurants in Jasper.

What to do in Jasper: the ultimate winter weekend itinerary

Planning a weekend getaway can be hard, especially in the ‘off season.’ Below you will find a comprehensive two day itinerary for what to do in Jasper in winter.

Day 1: winter skiing and hiking in Jasper

On day one you’ll explore the mountains of Jasper with world class skiing and snowboarding, amazing hikes, and a ride on the SkyTram! End your day with locally made whiskey cocktails and a delicious dinner. 

Breakfast at Tim Hortons

Start your first day in Jasper with breakfast at Tim Hortons! This beloved Canadian chain is known for their fresh coffee and grab and go breakfast items. There is a Tim Hortons in the center of downtown Jasper, making this the perfect breakfast spot before hitting the slopes! We enjoyed their cold brew and donuts.

Spend a morning skiing at Marmot Basin

Next, head to Marmot Basin for a morning of skiing or snowboarding. Located in Jasper National Park, Marmot Basin is a world class skiing destination with stunning views of the Canadian Rockies. It’s just a 20 minute drive from downtown Jasper! This ski and snowboarding destination has over 1,700 acres of varied terrain. There’s truly something for everyone – we loved cruising down the green runs, but they also have an impressive lineup of black diamonds.

Although I (Gwyn) am an experienced skier, this trip was Amiana’s first time skiing. Learning how to ski for the first time in Canada sounds intimidating, but the instructors at Marmot Basin made it easy! By the end of the morning she was absolutely crushing it on the greens. I loved not having to wait in long lift lines, and appreciated the full suite of rental gear that Marmot Basin offers. We also enjoyed lunch at the Caribou Chalet, which is located on-site.

Afternoon ride up the Jasper SkyTram

After tiring yourself out on the mountain, drive down the road to the Jasper SkyTram. This is the longest and highest guided aerial tramway in Canada. During the ride up the operator describes the various sights you can see, including the stunning mountains and varied terrain of Jasper National Park. These days the ride up also gives you an interesting perspective on the fire that happened in Jasper in summer 2024. 

Travel tip: The top of the tram can be cold and very windy, so pack lots of warm layers so you can enjoy your time up top! 

At the top of the tram ride you’ll have 360 views of the surrounding mountains and towns. You’ll also be able to grab a meal or a hot beverage at the on-site restaurant. I’m pretty sure this is the best view I’ve ever had while drinking coffee! From March – May you can rent snowshoes at the top, provided conditions allow. During the summer you can hike up top, as well. Between November and Mid-March, the Jasper SkyTram is not open.

Drive the Icefields Parkway and hike to Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls

After riding the SkyTram back to the bottom head out on a scenic drive along the Icefields Parkway. This is commonly considered one of the top drives in the entire world!

Alberta’s Highway 93, also known as the Icefields, links Jasper and Banff. In winter you won’t encounter much traffic, making it easy to stop at the various scenic overlooks along the route. You’ll also find plenty of roadside bathrooms. You can drive as little or as much as you want– we drove about an hour into the Icefields from Jasper.

I recommend doing two short hikes along your drive. Both take you to stunning waterfalls. See below for more details!

Travel tip: Make sure to pack microspikes with you so you can safely navigate any ice or slick snow! We recommend the brand Hillsound, which is based in Canada. 

Hike to Athabasca Falls 

Seeing Athabasca Falls was one of the highlights of our trip to Jasper! The waterfall is just 23 meters tall, but it moves a HUGE amount of water. In winter you’ll see beautiful ice formations on the falls. The hike is just .6 miles, but can be extended by walking farther along the river.

Hike to Sunwapta Falls

The hike to Sunwapta Falls takes you to a stunning waterfall that descends into a deep canyon. If you want to see both lower and upper falls you can do a 2 mile hike. Alternatively, you can just do a short hike to upper falls. The hike is especially popular in summer, when you’ll see water cascading around a beautiful island before it plunges over a fall. The views are a bit different in winter, but they’re still beautiful! 

Dinner at The Maligne Range

End your day with dinner at The Maligne Range, which is located in downtown Jasper. This elevated dining experience is perfect for a date or special occasion. 

Their menu is Canadian-inspired, and I thoroughly enjoyed the vegetarian beetroot wellington, and Amiana had their fuge sausages. Maligne Range is known for their premium Canadian whiskeys, so their cocktails shouldn’t be missed! The Vaux’s Botany was my favorite. It featured rhubarb infused Last Best Fortunella Gin, aloe vera juice, lime acid, basil oil, bitters, and was garnished with exploding essence. The basil oil was especially unique and delicious! They also offer several mocktails, and a full beer and wine menu.

Day 2: ice climbing and exploring the town of Jasper

Spend your second day in Jasper climbing an icy waterfall, visiting one of the most iconic photo spots in the park, and exploring downtown Jasper.

Breakfast at Terra in Jasper

Start your second day in Jasper with a relaxed breakfast at Terra. Prioritizing local ingredients and Canadian flavors, Terra offers an elevated breakfast menu. We both enjoyed their pancakes, which came with maple syrup, saskatoon berry jam, and whipped cream. While you eat you can enjoy stunning views of the mountains outside the restaurant windows!

Go ice climbing with Rockaboo Mountain Adventures

If you’re looking to cross something off your bucket list, now is the perfect time! Spend your second day in Jasper ice climbing on a frozen waterfall in Jasper National Park. This is a fun, safe, and thrilling experience that is great for all experience levels! We went with Rockaboo Mountain Adventures and highly recommend them. The guides are kind, patient, and have some amazing stories from their own adventures in the mountains.

Neither Ami nor I really rock climb (and neither of us have ever ice climbed!), but we found that Rockaboo Mountain Adventures was able to craft the PERFECT beginner ice climbing adventure. Rockaboo Mountain Adventures provides all the gear, and we drove about an hour along the Icefields Parkway to a stunning frozen waterfall. Here we learned the techniques for ice climbing, and got in a few climbs each on the wall. In total, we spent about 6 hours with the Rockaboo Mountain Adventures team.

Travel tip: don’t be like me – make sure to pack some sunglasses for your adventure! 

Enjoy a late lunch at Su Casa

After an exciting day of ice climbing head back into Jasper for a late lunch at Su Casa. This cute downtown eatery offers authentic Mexican food and excellent drinks. We enjoyed their margaritas, fajitas, and enchiladas. They have lots of options for vegetarians and meat eaters alike! I also recommend Lostlands Cafe. They have delicious pastries, coffee, and sandwiches, and are open every day 7 am – 6 pm (as of March 2025).

Travel tip: in winter and early spring Su Casa is only open for lunch on weekends. 

Visit Pyramid Lake, Jasper’s iconic photo spot

After lunch head over to Pyramid Lake, which is about a 10 minute drive from downtown. The iconic pyramid mountain towers over the lake, which in winter is frozen and covered in snow. 

On the lake you’ll find a bridge that leads to Pyramid Island, which is an iconic photography spot in Jasper. This area can be busy in the summer, but in winter you won’t encounter many other people. It’s just a short walk to the island, where you’ll find picnic tables and seating areas. This area was not impacted by the 2024 fire, so you’ll get a good sense of what the forests around Jasper looked like before the fire.

Travel tip: Please make sure to stay on trails when visiting the island! This area is extremely popular, and off-trail travel can damage plants and cause erosion. We all need to work together to protect this special place!

Stroll through town and explore Indigenous artwork

Next, head back into town to do some shopping and exploring! I recommend kicking your time in town off with an Indigenous Cultural Tour of Jasper with Warrior Women. During the tour you’ll learn about indigenous perspectives on Jasper. You’ll also learn the stories behind the incredible Indigenous artwork and murals around town. This is a unique way to experience town, and to familiarize yourself with native perspectives. If you prefer, you can also do a self guided tour of the murals in Jasper.

In downtown you’ll also find lots of shops selling local goods, delicious treats, and restaurants. Close to the train tracks you’ll find a walking path where you’ll frequently see elk in the evenings. Just make sure to give them plenty of space, especially in May and June during calving season. Please do not harass the wildlife.

Dinner at Evil Dave’s 

Finish your day with dinner at Evil Dave’s Grill. They have a delicious, globally inspired menu served with a smile in a light and bright restaurant overlooking the mountains. We especially enjoyed their ‘daily bread’ and Thai-inspired curry, as well as their selection of Canadian wines.

I hope you found our guide for what to do in Jasper helpful! You can find more Canada travel guides here. Make sure to follow along on Instagram and TikTok for more travel inspiration!