8 reasons you must visit Jasper National Park in the winter

There is no doubt that Canada is home to some of the most beautiful natural sights anywhere in the world. Wintertime is an especially beautiful time in Canada and Jasper National Park exemplifies this better than anywhere else. Located on the Albertan side of the Canadian Rockies, Jasper is a short road trip away from Edmonton's International Airport. Below are our 8 top reasons why you simply must visit Jasper in winter.

There are worse views...

Athabasca Glacier on the Icefield's Parkway.

A bull elk in the town of Jasper.

Before we get started on our list of things to do in Jasper, we wanted to give first time travelers a quick guide to winter in the Rockies so you know what to expect:

• Highway 97, also known as the Icefield's Parkway, can close unexpectedly and the conditions can change rapidly.
  
• You will need to purchase a Parks Pass to park your car anywhere outside the town of Jasper. 
  
• It can get exceptionally cold. -20°C is not uncommon. 
  
• Look for rental cars with snow tires. They are a requirement on many Alberta highways in the winter.
  
• The famous turquoise water is usually covered in ice and snow.
  
• Not all of the many hiking trails are open. You might want to try snowshoeing! 
  
• While bears will be hibernating during winter, moose and elk can be aggressive at the start of the season when they are competing for mates.

1. Hiking on frozen rapids

One of the highlights of the winter experience in Jasper has to be hiking atop its famous white water rapids at Maligne Canyon. There is something so surreal knowing only a sheet of ice separates you and rushing freezing cold water below your feet. Maligne's ice walk spoils it's visitors with stunning ice formations every step of the way. Nothing quite compares to watching the brilliant winter sun glimmering on the canyons tall ice walls, topped by cold white cedars.

Be sure to take one of the many guided walks through the canyon and do not attempt the walk on your own. Not only does this make sure you stay safe, but also ensures you see the most beautiful parts of the canyon.

Nick really doesn't want to fall into that water!

Although it seems like Nick is wearing red gloves, it is actually just his very cold hands.

Maligne Canyon is the Rockies deepest canyon.

The beautiful calmness of winter.

2. January in Jasper festival

January in Jasper is a local event that is held every year for a few weeks in January. The festival has just about everything you could ever want from a winter retreat in what has to be one of Canada's most beautiful areas. Snowshoeing the snow-blanketed forest, ice climbing frozen waterfalls, dog-sledding with gorgeous huskies, astronomy classes in Canada's largest 'dark sky preserve' and so many more. The festival is extremely budget friendly too! Many of the events are free and simply need to be signed up for. Be sure to head over to the festivals website to check out what you can do for the upcoming January in Jasper.

Pyramid Lake offers sleigh rides, dogsledding and skating during 'January in Jasper.'

The free curling rink at Pyramid Lake.

Dogsledding on a beautiful winter day in Jasper.

Meeting the doggos before sledding.

3. Skiing and snowboarding

What winter break would be complete without strapping on your skis or snowboard and racing down a gorgeous snowy piste? Jasper is only a 25 minute drive from the beautiful Marmot Basin, which boasts 91 runs over 4 mountain faces and 7 lifts (and a magic carpet too!). Perhaps my favourite part about skiing at Marmot Basin was how quiet it was in comparison to other ski resorts in western Canada (Whistler...).

If you do decide to go skiing or snowboarding around Jasper in winter, try to have your trip coincide with 'National Ski and Snowboard Day', also known as Never Ever Day. Which is a one-day event across Canada where participating ski resorts offer a lesson, lift pass and equipment rental for only $25 which is a phenomenal saving! You might be thinking to yourself 'But, I know how to ski, this isn't applicable to me'. Let's just say it wouldn't hurt to take a few minutes of the lesson to 'brush up' before finding the courage to enjoy the slopes on your own, with your extremely discounted lift pass and rental equipment...

'Never Ever Day' is a chance for new skiiers to try it out on a budget. For $25 you get a lift ticket, equipment rental and lesson.

Skiing or snowboarding is a must in the Rockies!

4. Fewer crowds

Visiting Jasper in the winter means many things; snow, winter festivals and grizzly bears safely asleep among others, but it also means less people. Many people simply don't want to go on holiday somewhere cold, which is awesome for people who do because it means less waiting in line, less people booking ahead of you and more beautiful landscape to yourself. When enjoying one of Jasper national parks many hiking trails in wintertime you can truly take in the scenery as if it's all yours. Slowly wandering the trail with nothing but a camera, a flask of hot tea and people you love.

We had these gorgeous views all to ourselves.

5. Skating on frozen lakes 

Jasper is home to some of the most beautiful lakes and rivers in the world and during the wintertime they are often* transformed into perfect natural ice rinks. Pick up a pair of skates from the rental shop in the town or bring your own and skate outside in some utterly breathtaking scenery. Below you can see Caitlin skating on Pyramid Lake (10 mins away from the town of Jasper) with the gorgeous rocky mountains in the distance.

Another gorgeous place to go skating in Jasper is on Lake Mildred, located next to Fairmont Park Lodge. Although we didn't stay there, we took our rented skates, and a few flasks of hot chocolate, to the lodge and skated their huge figure of 8 lake rink under moonlight.

* Always check with the local tourist information center what lakes are safe to skate on when you visit. Although sometimes a body of water seems iced adequately to skate on, its never worth the risk.

Skating is free at Pyramid Lake in winter.

6. Athabasca Falls is still gorgeous

People from all over the world travel to Jasper National Park to see the stunning Athabasca Falls! In Winter the outer layer of the waterfall freezes solid creating an ice cocoon, giving the impression the waterfall is frozen solid. The narrow gorge around the falls is coated with gorgeous ice formations and really amplifies the sound of the powerful gushing currents under the ice.

Be sure when you visit to wear shoes with good treads if not crampons, as the staircases around the falls can be slippery thanks to compacted snow and ice.
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You can just catch a glimpse of the beautiful turquoise water the Rockies is famous for.

A beautiful view from Athabasca Falls!

7. Winter Wonderland at a discount

Jasper is gorgeous no matter what time of the year you visit, yet there is something so distinctly Canadian about visiting Jasper in the wintertime. Sometimes pictures speak far louder than words, so I'll let our photos here illustrate the beauty of Jasper in the winter months.

Aside from the spectacular winter landscapes, accommodation at this time of year is at its cheapest. With many places offering over half price room rental, winter is the budget friendly season to enjoy Canada's winter wonderland!

Icefield's parkway in Jasper National Park.

8. It's not Banff

Banff is extremely busy, even in the winter, we have been several times and it is always too crowded for us. If you are looking for some true wilderness and not just a quick photo op, Jasper is the place to be. It's also worth mentioning the turquoise water that Banff is so famous for will be covered by ice and snow in the later winter months (see below). While of course Banff is still a beautiful national park to visit we feel strongly that what you can do in Banff, you can do in Jasper also, but with less people and without the expense.

The famous Lake Louise shot, only in winter. What you can't see (as well as 90% of the lake) is the thousands of people behind us, taking the same shot before retreating back to their palatial hotel.

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