3 Days in Jasper Winter Itinerary: Things to See & Do (2024)

Q: How Many Days Do You Need In Jasper National Park In The Winter?

You need at least 2 days in Jasper National Park in winter. However, if you want to enjoy more than one snow activity, you’ll want to plan for 3 days in Jasper. It takes more time to get around in winter due to winter conditions on the roads, and most activities can take up a whole day.

Q: Is It Worth Staying In Jasper In Winter?

Yes, it’s worth staying in Jasper in winter . Jasper National Park comes alive in wintertime. It is a hot spot for winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.

Q: How Many Days Do You Need To See Banff And Jasper?

You need at least 5 days to see Banff and Jasper . With 3 days in Jasper National Park, you’ll see all the main attractions, and then you’d need 2-3 days in Banff. Ideally, you’d spend a week in the region and add a trip to the nearby Yoho National Park too.

If you want to make the most of 3 days in Jasper during winter, this is the itinerary for you!

Jasper National Park is one of Canada’s most beautiful national parks and it’s even more picturesque covered in snow.

As a Canadian who loves exploring my country, Jasper in winter has been one of my favourite local trips.

Whether you like skiing and snowboarding, enjoy winter hikes and ice skating, or want to soak in a hot tub with mountain views there is something for you here.

Let’s get right into this 3 day Jasper winter itinerary for an unforgettable getaway!

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A street in Downtown Jasper, a small town located near Jasper National Park in Alberta. There are some shops and cars on both side of the street, overlooking snowcapped mountains of Jasper National Park on a sunny day.

Table of Contents

Day 1 in Jasper

As you arrive in Jasper and settle into your accommodations, start your Jasper getaway by exploring Downtown Jasper.

Being a small town, you can easily see all the best things in Jasper on foot.

The city is home to several national heritage sites, and they are all located within walking distance of each other.

Here’s what to see while walking in Jasper:

This historic train, CN Mountain Locomotive 6015, is fenced in the Jasper station. There's some benches in front of the train, with a building right next to and behind. There is a view of the snowcapped mountains of Jasper National Park at a distance with some light clouds on a suny day.

Jasper Train Station

Start your walking tour of Jasper by visiting the train station.

You can admire the artwork on the walls and see the historic train cart, dating back to the golden years of Jasper Railways in the 1930s.

Two Brothers Totem Pole

Right next to the train station stands the Two Brothers Totem Pole. This intricate totem tells the story of two Haida brothers who travelled from Haida Gwaii to the Rocky Mountains.

The totem was raised in 2011 to replace the Raven Totem Pole which was repatriated to Haida Gwaii, so it is one of the newer Jasper landmarks.

Jasper The Bear Statue

Jasper the Bear is a black and white bear, that’s been the mascot of Jasper National Park since 1962.

The original statue is at the top of the Jasper Skytram, but you’ll find the replica in front of the Jasper Information Centre across the Two Brothers Totem Pole.

Old Jasper Firehall

Make your way to the next Jasper tourist attraction, the Old Jasper Firehall.

This rustic building dates back to the early 20th century, and it is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building for its historical associations and architectural value.

Jasper Municipal Library

Next up is the Jasper Municipal Library. It is not only a library but the social hub of the city, with regular art shows and events.

A plate of rustic elk meatlof topped with mushroom gravy and gaufrettes. It comes with a side of mashed potatoes, 2 green beans and a pint of beer. This dish is located in Jasper Brewing Co. in Canada.

Downtown Jasper Pubs

If you’re spending a weekend in Jasper, grab a drink in one of the pubs and enjoy the local nightlife.

Some of the best pubs in Jasper are Jasper Brewing Company, Downstream Bar, and Whistle Stop Pub.

A group of four people wearing thick jackets walking towards towards a train in the town of Jasper. They are in between some snow on the ground. At a distance, there are snowcapped mountains of Jasper National Park. There are clouds in the sky but overall is a bright and sunny day during wintertime. The people walking are on a walking tour of Jasper which is a fun activity to add to a Jasper winter itinerary to get some time indor and some outdoor.

Go On the Jasper Food Tour

A fun activity to add to your Jasper winter itinerary is a food tour!

Jasper offers several food tours, but the classic walking food tour of downtown Jasper is the best choice for winter days as they run year-round.

The tour is a 2km walking tour to many of the stops listed in today’s activities and includes 4 restaurant stops. At each of the stops, you’ll get a local dish paired with a beverage.

The serving sizes are about ¼ of the regular portion, but as you get 4 dishes it will make for a perfect dinner serving!

I loved the tour as I got to try some unusual dishes that I wouldn’t have gone for otherwise!

🤩 Discover Jasper’s best & most unique restaurants on this food tour!

Woman wearing a thick jacket, snow pants, and beanie ice skating on Mildred Lake, which has frozen over since it's wintertime. The frozen lake is wedged in between some snow. The woman is looking at the treeline and snowcapped mountains at a distance, and there are some clouds covering the sky.

Try Ice Skating

Some of the lakes in Jasper freeze over in winter, making for a picture-perfect ice skating opportunity.

Ice skating is a classic winter activity in Canada, and two of the best spots to skate in the area are Pyramid Lake and Mildred Lake.

Both lakes are about a 10-minute drive from downtown Jasper and offer stunning mountain views while skating.

These two lakes are maintained by Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Pyramid Lake Resort, ensuring the best conditions.

However, other lakes, including Maligne Lake and Medicine Lake, can also be a good choice if the conditions are right!

Or if you want to take a day trip down the Icefields Parkway, you can skate on Abraham Lake to see ice bubbles.

When I visited Jasper in winter, I skated at Mildred Lake. The ice skating area is massive, with a 1-kilometre round-the-lake oval.

You can rent skates from the hotel or bring your own like I did!

Day 2 in Jasper National Park

Woman wearing a thick jacket and snow pants looking up at a frozen waterfall in Maligne Canyon, located in Jasper National Park. The frozen waterfall has layers of icicles wedged between rock formations dotted with snow. The woman is standing on snow in the shade, although it's a sunny day. Above the canyon, there are some trees.

Maligne Canyon Ice Walk

Start your next day in Jasper bright and early with a Maligne Canyon Ice Walk, one of the best day hikes in Jasper in winter.

As the snow covers the usual hiking trails in the Park, making them harder to enjoy, the Maligne Canyon Ice Walk tour is a perfect alternative!

On the walk, you’ll see frozen waterfalls, ice caves, and empty whirlpool rapids. The water hides deep underground in winter.

The walk is 3.5km long, with a 50m elevation gain, so it’s great for travellers of all ages.

As you are walking on a frozen surface, you’ll want to be careful and move slowly, so it takes about 3h to complete.

You can do the walk on your own or with a guide. Either way, you’ll need to wear ice cleats and a safety helmet.

Tours provide gear, but if you are going on your own, you can rent gear from local shops in town before you go hiking.

I bought ice cleats in town and rented a helmet, as the tours were already fully booked when I went, and I didn’t want to miss out.

🤩 Safely hike Maligne Canyon with a guide on this tour!

Snowcapped mountains in Jasper National Park, with a treeline right in front. In front of the trees, there is a lake with a reflection of the trees and mountains. Right above the mountains, there are some lights shining with a green reflection with the dark night sky and stars. These green and blue lights during the night time are called the "Northern Lights" and can be usually seen in the winter in locations near the Arctic Circle. — Unsplash photo by Priscilla Du Preez

Jasper Dark Sky Preserve

One of the best things to do in Jasper at night is visit the Dark Sky Preserve.

A Dark Sky Preserve is an area where no artificial lighting is visible. Jasper is one of 17 Dark Sky Preserves in Canada and the second-largest Dark Sky Preserve in the World, covering over 11000 km2!

Jasper National Park is a fantastic spot for stargazing and night photography on a clear night.

Winter is also a great time to enjoy the starry skies since days are shorter, and sunset is around 4 PM.

And if you’re lucky, you can see aurora borealis as they are more frequent in the winter. It was a full moon on my trip, so the sky wasn’t dark enough.

🤩 Too cold? Enjoy the night sky through a telescope on this Planetarium tour!

Day 3 in Jasper National Park

The final day of your Jasper trip is for winter sports! Whether you prefer skiing or snowboarding, you can do both in Jasper.

A woman wearing snow gear holding a snowboard in Jasper National Park during winter. She is standing on some snow, about to snowboard. In both sides of the photo, there are some trees, with a ski lift to her left. There are snow-capped mountains at distance, with a sunny bright sky.

Snowboarding and Skiing in Jasper

As winter sports are one of the reasons why Jasper is so popular in winter, you’ll be spoilt for views from the slopes within the National Park.

Marmot Basin Resort is only a 20-minute drive from downtown Jasper, and you can enjoy 91 km of slopes for all levels!

You don’t need to stay at the Resort to use the slopes, as you can get a single or multi-day ski pass.

This is also a beginner-friendly activity, as you can sign up for lessons if you never skied before or if you need a refresher. Get the beginner lift pass if you don’t plan to use the harder slopes.

You don’t have to bring your own equipment as the Resort offers high-quality rentals of ski and snowboard equipment.

I went snowboarding at Marmot Basin Ski Resort and had a fun time soaking in the mountain views!

Once done, you have finished this 3-day Jasper itinerary. Or if you don’t feel like skiing or snowboarding today, here are more ideas for what to do in Jasper:

Other Things to Do in Jasper

Snowshoe at Pyramid Lake
Stop by Bubble Lake while driving to Calgary
Go on a winter wildlife tour

Whatever activity you choose for today, leave plenty of time to get to the airport. Remember you have a long drive back to Edmonton or Calgary to fly out.

Is 3 Days in Jasper Enough?

3 days in Jasper is enough time for first-time visitors who want to get a taste of Jasper National Park, try some winter activities, and see the main tourist attractions.

However, you won’t get to enjoy everything Jasper has to offer in 3 days. You’ll have to pick 5-6 activities and save the rest for another time. I can’t wait to go back.

Melissa wearing a blue winter coat standing while learning on a metal barrier between her and a waterfall in front of her. It's a waterfall seen while on a snowy winter hike in Jasper at Maligne Canyon

Best Time to Visit Jasper National Park

The best time to visit Jasper National Park is either summer or winter, depending on the adventure activities you are looking to try.

Winter in Jasper is a fantastic time to enjoy activities like skiing, snowboarding, or ice skating.

Once the snow has melted in the summer, you can enjoy hiking, wildlife discovery tours, and mountain biking.

I visited in early March, near the end of the winter season. It was a great time to visit as you could still enjoy all the winter activities, with fewer crowds.

A winding road leading to Jasper National Park. On the right, there are trees with an exit sign that indicates that one is in Jasper. Right below, there are arrows pointing to the right leading to the town of Jasper and Hazel Avenue, with some rest stops. There are snowcapped mountains of the Jasper National Park at a distance with a sunny bright sky above.

Where to Stay in Jasper in Winter

For your Jasper winter getaway, plan to stay in Jasper town to be close to most of the attractions and restaurants. Here are the best Jasper hotels in winter:

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge – a 4-star luxury hotel with a spa and outdoor skating rink

Forest Park Hotel – a 4-star hotel with a hot tub, gym, and spa

Pyramid Lake Resort – a 3-star hotel with sleigh rides, skating, and cross-country skiing

Part of the front part of a car on a winding road to the snowcapped mountains of Jasper National Park. There appears to be rainclouds covering the sky.

How to Get Around Jasper National Park in Winter

The best way to get around Jasper National Park in winter is by car.

While it is not impossible to get around with public transport, it can be challenging if you only have 3 days in Jasper.

Public transit in Jasper is seasonal, so different bus lines operate during the summer season and others in winter.

For shorter distances, you can grab a taxi, but it can get pricey quickly.

I rented a car, so I planned my Jasper itinerary without relying on public transport.

With a car, you can do multiple activities in a day, as you are not dependent on the bus schedule. There aren’t any car rental places in Jasper so you will need to rent a car in Edmonton or Calgary.

But, if all you are coming to do in Jasper is ski, certain hotels offer shuttles to the ski hill.

How to Get to Jasper, Alberta

Jasper doesn’t have an international airport, so you’ll want to fly into Edmonton, Calgary, or Vancouver.

Once you reach one of the airports, you can rent a car, take a bus or train into Jasper National Park.

I flew into Edmonton and then rented a car to get to Jasper. It was a scenic ride via Highway 16 and the easiest way to reach Jasper.

a red helicopter sitting on the ground ready to fly away over the Canadian Rockies from Jasper National Park. There is a tree line behind the helicopter and mountains in the further distance on a snowy winter day — Unsplash photo by Miles Loewen

3 Best Winter Tours in Jasper

If you prefer joining an organized tour, there are many fun winter Jasper tours to consider!

Canadian Rockies: Scenic Winter Helicopter & Snowshoe Tour – 20 or 30-minute helicopter ride and 1-hour guided snowshoe adventure

Tread Lightly Glacier Hikes – guided hike across the Athabasca Glacier with all necessary gear

Maligne Canyon Ice Walk Tour – 3.5 h hike exploring ice caves, frozen waterfalls, and ice formations along Maligne Canyon

A woman wearing a blue winter jacket and snow pants hiking in the snow on the Maligne Canyon Trail, located in Jasper National Park. There are trees all around her, with a lake to her left. Right behind the trees, there are snowcapped mountains. The sky has a bit of clouds, but otherwise is a bright and sunny day.

Tips for Visiting Jasper National Park in the Winter

Dress in layers and wear waterproof shoes, as it gets freezing in Jasper in winter. You won’t enjoy your time if you don’t dress for the weather.
Be aware of daylight hours if you want to make the most of your time, as the sunset is already around 4 PM.
If you rent a car in Jasper, ensure your rental is equipped for winter road conditions.
Plan for indoor activities, as the weather can be unpredictable in the mountains. For example, you can go on a food tour in Downtown Jasper!
Book in advance! Winter is a popular time to visit Jasper National Park, and the best places can get fully booked days in advance.

FAQs: Planning a Jasper Winter Itinerary

How Many Days Do You Need In Jasper National Park In The Winter?

You need at least 2 days in Jasper National Park in winter. However, if you want to enjoy more than one snow activity, you’ll want to plan for 3 days in Jasper. It takes more time to get around in winter due to winter conditions on the roads, and most activities can take up a whole day.

Is It Worth Staying In Jasper In Winter?

Yes, it’s worth staying in Jasper in winter. Jasper National Park comes alive in wintertime. It is a hot spot for winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.

How Many Days Do You Need To See Banff And Jasper?

You need at least 5 days to see Banff and Jasper. With 3 days in Jasper National Park, you’ll see all the main attractions, and then you’d need 2-3 days in Banff. Ideally, you’d spend a week in the region and add a trip to the nearby Yoho National Park too.

3 Day Jasper Itinerary: Final Thoughts

Jasper National Park is one of the most popular winter destinations in Canada.

As the temperature drops and the snow starts to cover the mountain tops, the region transforms into a winter wonderland.

There are many things to do at Jasper National Park! With this Jasper 3-day itinerary, you’ll get to try several winter activities and see the main attractions at a comfortable pace.

Whether you’re looking for a scenic destination for skiing or snowboarding or want to disconnect while discovering frozen lakes, waterfalls, and glaciers, a weekend in Jasper National Park is a perfect winter getaway!

Now that your itinerary is sorted, it’s time to pick the best place to stay in Jasper to make the most of your time here!

3 Days in Jasper Winter Itinerary: Things to See & Do (2024)