Fun winter activities to enjoy in Jasper, Alberta

When it comes to making the most of winter, Jasper National Park is one of the most beloved spots in Alberta to stay and play.

Surrounded by vast forests, ancient glaciers and snow capped peaks, the laid-back alpine town is a perfect base for exploring the great outdoors all year round.

Whether you’re up for some backcountry adventures or just want to unwind at one of the charming lodges or tranquil spas, there’s no shortage of ways to explore the area even during colder months.

Here are some of the best things to do during winter in Jasper.

Quick find

Get adventurous

Jasper is famous for its outdoor excursions, and no matter your skill or comfort level there are plenty of them to keep travellers entertained. Numerous trails can be accessed right from town, which are perfect for cross-country skiing, fat biking and snowshoeing.

In areas like Marmot Meadows, visitors can navigate through the snowdrifts and aspen trees in search of animal tracks, from the likes of rabbit, deer and wolves. Who knows, you might even come across a herd of elk serving as a welcoming committee!

For a quintessentially Canadian experience, book a dog sledding tour through Indigenous-owned Cold Fire Creek Dogsledding. Their Alaskan huskies do all the work during an hour long or half-day tour, while visitors get to sit back and enjoy the exhilarating ride.

SunDog Transportation and Tours is well-known operator in the area, and offers this Winter Wildlife Bus Tour through the park where you might be lucky enough to spot deer, elk, big horn sheep and moose.

Visit frozen waterfalls

Jasper National Park is famous for its scenic spots, including gorgeous waterfalls that tumble out of jagged rock faces. Viewing them in the winter is a completely different experience than any other time of year, as most of them are frozen over, creating a dazzling display.

winter activities in jasper, alberta, canada — Athabasca Falls

Athabasca Falls is always a crowd-pleaser, located about half an hour south of Jasper along the breathtaking Icefields Parkway. While ice crystals form over most of it during the winter, there’s still a churning pool of emerald water that spills out the bottom.

Best of all, very few people go to the falls in winter which means you might have them all to yourself. Another place to explore icy landscapes is Sunwapta Falls, which is a 40 minute drive south of Jasper and 20 minutes from Athabasca Falls.

In Maligne Canyon, visitors can enjoy an ice walk through its 160 million-year-old cave system. Frozen waterfalls are on display along with fossils and ice pillars, making for a spectacular scene. Maligne Canyon is about 10 minutes north of town, and guided tours last about three-hours. Ice cleats are also provided.

Globe Guide note: Maligne Canyon is currently closed due to damage from the 2024 wildfire. Check the Parks Canada site for updates on reopening plans.

Soak up the scenery

Jasper is surrounded by glacier fed lakes, and while you won’t actually be able to see the water once they’ve frozen over you can still enjoy them.

Lac Beauvert and Lake Mildred at the famed Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge turn into massive skating rinks, which have been known to host spirited games of shinny and are also lit up at night.

Over at Pyramid Lake, it’s common to see families skating near the shore, or warming up with a steaming cup of hot chocolate from the nearby Pyramid Lake Resort. Horse-drawn sleigh rides are also available, which is a fun and cozy way to explore the area.

Alternatively, continue a couple minutes down the road past the resort, and you’ll arrive at Pyramid Island. A beautiful wooden bridge leads to the serene, forested island, which is also a fantastic spot for stargazing as it’s classified as a Dark Sky Preserve.

It’s always worth a quick stop at Patricia Lake which is just before Pyramid Lake, which has stunning reflections when the water hasn’t frozen over yet.

Enjoy some R&R during winter in Jasper

The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is a 700-acre luxury resort on the shores of Lac Beauvert, and the ultimate place for rest and relaxation during winter in Jasper.

Boasting cozy, newly-renovated suites and cabins with impressive lakefront views, multiple dining spaces, waterfront walking trails, a health club, playground and Planetarium Dome Theatre, there’s so much for the whole family to enjoy here you won’t even need to leave the property. JPL is also extremely pet-friendly, and even has a resident golden retriever to greet guests.

A suite at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

Seasonal activities pop up in the winter, including an outdoor skating rink, groomed cross-country ski trails, a toboggan park, making s’mores around a crackling outdoor fire pit and visits with Santa himself.

Wellness is a major focus at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, and its heated indoor/outdoor swimming pool and hot tub are open year-round. Find some solace inside the Finnish sauna and eucalyptus-infused steam room, or book in for a massage or body treatment at the spa.

In 2025 the resort unveiled a trio of barrel saunas overlooking Lac Beauvert, which are the perfect spot to warm up after a polar plunge in the lake. Reserve your stay now

Explore the townsite

Jasper is a compact town which makes it simple to explore. The main streets are Patricia and Connaught, which is where you’ll find most of the restaurants, rental shops, stores and cafes.

Drop into the Jasper Brewing Company which is Canada’s first brewery in a national park. Their beers which are brewed in-house (they also offer tours), so if it’s your first time there be sure to order a 6 x 6oz sampler so you can try the different kinds.

Jasper Food Tours offers tours year round, including this Downtown Foodie Tour that visits four eateries in three hours, featuring multiple dishes and drink pairings.

While winter weather means those exploring the town will likely want to stay indoors, there’s one good reason to get outside: Jasper in January.

The annual event takes place over three weekends, with a focus on different themes including adventures, appetites and the arts. Free activities for all ages include pond hockey, an ice bar, snowshoeing, stargazing and art lessons. There’s even a street party to wrap up the event, with an amazing fireworks show in the park serving as the grand finale.

Hit the slopes

Most of Alberta’s ski resorts are located around Banff, which is why Marmot Basin is a popular spot for skiers and snowboarders north of Calgary who make the trip from Edmonton to Jasper.

The mountain has more than 1600 acres of slopes, seven lifts including three high-speed quads, and a terrain park with jumps, rails and boxes. For those who enjoy apres ski, there are also a number of hillside restaurants.

Parking is available on site, and a shuttle goes between Jasper and Marmot Basin multiple times per day.

Drive the Icefields Parkway

The iconic Icefields Parkway linking Lake Louise and Jasper is ranked as one of the world’s most scenic road trips, with absolutely breathtaking views the entire way.

While you won’t be able to see the jewel-toned lakes or hop on an all-terrain Ice Explorer to drive over the Columbia Icefields during winter time, there are still so many jaw-dropping viewpoints it’s well worth making the trip along Highway 93.

Icefields Parkway, Alberta, Canada — The Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre is closed during winter

Walk along the edge of Bow Lake, admire the 10-thousand-year-old Athabasca Glacier across from the Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre, and keep an eye out for wildlife like bighorn sheep which often wander onto the road to lick salt off the highway.

Of course safety is paramount when driving this isolated stretch during winter, especially as there’s no cell phone reception or services so be sure to read these tips for driving along the Icefields Parkway during winter.