14 Things to do in Jasper during Winter
Jasper National Park is one of the most gorgeous places in all of Canada. Right in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, this pristine landscape is worthy of being on everyone's bucket list.
Jasper is a stunning location in the summer but winter brings a special calm, stillness and beauty to the area. There are so many incredible ways to spend your time in this national park so let's walk through 14 of my favourite things!
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Maligne Canyon Icewalk Tour
The Maligne Canyon Ice Walk Tour is one of the most popular and impressive ice walk adventures in the Canadian Rockies! During my time living in Canada, this tour was one of my favourite guided adventures. Guided by experienced professionals at SunDog Tours, the ice walk offers a unique perspective of Maligne Canyon that is entirely different from the warmer months. Frozen waterfalls, shimmering blue ice, and the quiet of winter create an otherworldly atmosphere that is just magical.
Your guide will take you to the bottom of the Maligne Canyon – the deepest accessible canyon in Jasper National Park – where you will explore frozen waterfalls, ice caves, and incredible ice formations. You will also learn about Jasper’s Maligne Valley, Karst topography, and the mystery of the “disappearing” Medicine Lake.
Tour Facts:
Approximately 3.5km of walking
Mostly downhill
One way experience
Boots and ice cleats are provided
Must dress for the weather
Pick-ups and drop-offs available from all Jasper accommodations
Ice Skate on Pyramid Lake
A visit to Pyramid Lake is a worthwhile inclusion on any Jasper itinerary, winter or summer!
Just 10 minutes from Jasper's townsite, this picturesque lake is known for its stunning views and the prominent pyramid shaped mountain which serves as the lake's backdrop. During winter this lake freezes and makes for the perfect location to ice skate outdoors.
Pyramid Lake Lodge maintain a groomed skating rink, offer skate rentals on site and even have space to grab a hot chocolate or warm up by the fire after your spin around the rink. This stop is a perfect half day activity or even a great place to stay during your time in Jasper!
Pyramid Lake, Jasper
Visit Pyramid Island
While you are visiting Pyramid Lake, make sure to venture out to Pyramid Island.
This small island is located in the middle of Pyramid Lake, made accessible by a causeway. This area offers walking trails, beautiful picnic spots and panoramic views. This is just a short stop but a beautiful photo location and one that features in many Jasper advertisements.
Stop for lunch at Coco’s Cafe
Located in the Jasper townsite, Coco’s Cafe is a place we return to every time we are in the area!
This incredible cafe offers comfort food, incredible vegetarian options and amazing coffee in its eclectic and inclusive space. This humble, small space is worth a stop for breakfast or lunch and if you don't have time to say, definitely grab some food for the road later.
They also have a fantastic range of baked goods which have often sold out when we have been visiting. Our favourite is the cinnamon buns, if they have them, get them - you won’t regret it!
Enjoy Sunrise at the Edge Of The World
The Edge of the World trail is my favourite ‘hidden gem’ in Jasper National Park.
This very short trail may not be the easiest to find but it offers some of the best views of Jasper. This special spot is remote, tucked behind the trees and offers breathtaking views you don't need to compete for. Sunrise is the best time to visit and each time I have been there, we have had the space to ourselves so it's worth the early wake-up call!
Read my full guide to this trail here.
Ski or Snowboard at Marmot Basin
It wouldn't be a winter trip to Jasper without a visit to Marmot Basin!
Marmot Basin is a popular ski resort in Jasper National. It’s known for its stunning mountain surroundings and reliable snow conditions. If you are a seasoned rider, Marmot Basin has a great variety of terrain! Alternatively, if you are new to snow sports, book a lesson and explore the mountain scenery with a guide as you learn.
Elk in Jasper
Go Wildlife Spotting
Jasper is an absolute hub of wildlife activity and one of the best places to spot a moose!
While the bears may hibernate during the winter, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t a lot of wildlife still around. Thanks to the slow in tourism during the winter months, animal sightings become more frequent. Maligne Lake road is my personal favourite spot to go for a scenic drive in the hopes of spotting something unique.
There are such a range of animals roaming around that you may be lucky enough to see elk, deer, big horned sheep, goats, coyotes, wolves, moose, foxes or even a lynx! You can choose to either take a scenic drive yourself or go on a guided tour with SunDog.
Jasper Planetarium
The Jasper Planetarium is located at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and is a must-do when visiting the area!
Jasper is in a recognised dark sky preserve and with 11,000 square kilometres of preserved darkness, it's guaranteed that on a clear night, there's a spot to see all its glory.
The planetarium offers a range of planetarium and telescope tours which will take you on a journey through the stars and the first nations history. The Planetarium and Telescope Combo Tour is wonderful and watching the show from the 35-seat dome has you wondering if you're experiencing the real thing! If it's a clear night, the Dark Sky Telescope Experience would be an amazing experience but if it's a rainy day or overcast evening, the inside show is worthy of your time.
Enjoy a flight of local beer at Jasper Brewing Co
If you’re anything like me, travelling to a new place often means immersing myself in the local food and drink scene just as much as the nature and activities.
Jasper Brewing Co is a local brewery where they craft six distinctive beers right on the premises. They have a large amount of seating, both indoor and outdoor, making it the perfect spot for a drink. As any good brewery should, they offer flights of beer so you can sample the ones that catch your eye. My favourite was the tangerine dream, otherwise known as a mimosa in beer form!
Visit Sunhouse Cafe for Brunch
The Sunhouse Cafe was established in 2018 and brings a touch of Australian cafe culture to Jasper. If you aren't Australian, let me just say that brunch is something we do well and this cafe embraces that fully.
With a beautiful glass dome ceiling, this cafe has fantastic fresh produce, punchy flavours and unique dishes that make for the perfect start to your day.
Jasper Food Tour
If you are looking to fully experience the food and beverage offerings in Jasper, a food tour may be the way to go!
The Jasper Food Tour has won awards for its offerings. On this short 2 km guided walking tour, you'll be visiting four local restaurants and tasting four carefully handpicked dishes, each paired with an alcoholic beverage while listening to Jasper's top tales along the way. You may even make some new friends during the experience.
Spend an evening hot tubbing!
Unfortunately the hot springs nearest to Jasper close over the winter but since you’ll still need somewhere to warm up I would recommend booking accommodation with a hot tub!
As the sun sets early, wind down for the day in the hot tub or sauna if you are lucky. When we visited in the winter we stayed at Pyramid Lake Resort. This is a beautiful accommodation option right on the shore of Pyramid Lake. The outdoor hot tub is huge and great for a group.
If you are looking for something more budget, the HI Jasper is another great accommodation option and they have an onsite sauna!
Visit Maligne Lake and Medicine Lake
Maligne Lake and Maligne Lake Road are some of the best spots in Jasper National Park for uninterrupted views, scenic drives and wildlife spotting.
Starting from Jasper, the scenic road to the lake is 43 km long. As you drive along, the scenery is regularly changing offering spectacular views. Medicine Lake is located approximately halfway along the drive and the interesting story behind this lake is worth a stop. Medicine Lake is known as the disappearing lake due to the complex underground system that drains and refills the lake each year. Stop here for a look and read about the area!
As you continue, you will reach Maligne Lake which will most likely be a frozen masterpiece. Here you can explore the area, snowshoe or go for a hike provided you are prepared for the winter conditions. All the restaurants and amenities at the lake are closed over winter so make sure to pack enough food. Finally, keep an eye out for wildlife!
Go for a helicopter ride
If you are looking for a unique way to see Jasper, why not see it from above?
A helicopter tour around the Canadian Rockies will truly offer a perspective on this landscape you will never forget. Jasper Hinton Air is the only locally owned and operated helicopter company in the Jasper area and with their 20 years of local experience, they are sure to take you via the best routes! You can view the variety of tour options here or if you are looking for a specific option, check these out:
Still deciding on accommodation?
Jasper has an amazing variety of hotels, lakefront properties and hostels. I have personally stayed at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Pyramid Lake Lodge and the HI Jasper. All of which were excellent properties. I use booking.com to find the best deals, check availability here:
