Cross-country skiing

Jasper National Park

Portions of Jasper National Park remain closed or affected due to impacts from the Jasper Wildfire. Please check for up to date information.

Winter recreation in Jasper National Park will look different this year due to the impacts of the Jasper Wildfire Complex in July 2024. However, several of our beloved cross-country ski trails remain open, offering up something for all skill levels!

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Trail etiquette

Thanks for respecting our trails and keeping them safe so that they can be enjoyed by all.

  • Please respect closures and dog restrictions.
  • Do not walk or snowshoe on ski trails
  • Pack out all your garbage

Learn more about trail etiquette.

1. Pipeline
Difficulty Trail Distance Description Type
Moderate Pipeline 5.1 km one-way The pipeline ski trail between Highway 16 and the Miette River offers a wide open, gentle ski with some rolling terrain. Skate skiing
Classic skiing
2. Pyramid
3. Pyramid
Difficulty Trail Distance Description Type
Various difficulty levels Pyramid Fire Road 13.2 km return Choose your turn-around point: ski the mainly flat, first 1.1 km to Pyramid Creek at the end of Pyramid Lake (green), continue on and gain steady elevation on your way to Pyramid Slough at km 3.1 (blue). Climb steeply to the lookout over the Athabasca Valley shortly before the end of the groomed trail at km 6.6 (black) Skate skiing
Classic skiing
3. Whirlpool cross-country ski hub Currently closed

This area is closed to the public by order of the superintendent. Access is prohibited. Assessments are ongoing. Stay tuned for updates.

3. Whirlpool cross-country ski hub
Difficulty Trail Distance Description Type
Easy Moab Lake trail -
Whirlpool cross-country ski hub to red chairs		 7 km return Ski on the gentle rolling terrain of Moab Lake Road. The red chairs at a viewpoint of the Whirlpool River make a great destination. Skate skiing
Classic skiing
Moderate Moab Lake trail -
Whirlpool cross-country ski hub to Moab Lake viewpoint		 15.2 km return Follow Moab Lake Road past the red chairs and the Whirlpool River. The groomed trail ends at a viewpoint of Moab Lake. Skate skiing
Classic skiing
Moderate Leach Lake trail
No dogs		 13.8 km return This trail brings you to beautiful Leach Lake at 3.5 km followed by views of Mount Hardisty and Mount Kerkeslin at 6.9 km (end of the trail). Skate skiing
Classic skiing

Notice of restriction: Travel on Geraldine Road during construction of the Caribou Conservation Breeding Centre

4. Centennial Park
3. Whirlpool cross-country ski hub
Difficulty Trail Distance Description Type
Easy Centennial Park loop 1 km loop Located in the Municipality of Jasper, Centennial Park offers a small, family-friendly loop when snow permits. Classic skiing

Current conditions

Grooming guidelines

Start of season

We aim to start grooming December 15, conditions permitting.

Needed conditions include:

  • Ground is frozen
  • Sufficient snow on the ground (*Varies based on terrain and type of snow)
  • Favourable weather forecast
  • Snowmobile packing is essential until the initial base is set (can range from 15-30 cm of packed snow depending on ground surface).
End of season

Ski trails are maintained until March 15, or as weather and snow conditions permit.

Temperatures

Temperature has a large impact on snow conditions, grooming quality and our ability to groom. Warm wet snow can be very challenging and hard on equipment and, if followed by a cold spell, the resulting icy surface can be dangerous. In extreme cold, snow does not pack well and can pose a safety concern for groomers.

Temperatures
Temperature range Impact
> 5°C No grooming takes place. Equipment is likely to bog down and damage trail. Snow chunks and poor corduroy are likely.
5°C to 0°C Grooming is avoided when possible.
0°C to -10°C Generally, best temperature range for good packing and grooming results .
-10°C to -20°C Quality of snow packing and grooming declines; safety risk from temperature and windchill increases
-20°C to -25°C Poor grooming results. Compacting is possible, track-setting is not. For safety, staff time spent in these temperatures is limited.
< - 25°C No grooming to take place: grooming results are too poor, machinery malfunctions, and safety concerns from cold temperatures.

Skier set trails

Looking to go beyond the trackset trails and explore more of what Jasper National Park has to offer? Skiers can strike off on their own adventure to explore the landscape.

Before heading out, keep in mind the following

Popular areas for exploring on skis include:

Summit Lakes / Jacques Lake
Explore for half a day to Summit Lakes, or head into the Jacques Lake Cabin for an overnight (operated by the Alpine Club of Canada). Learn more about avalanche safety and ice safety at Summit Lakes.
Hidden Cove
Explore the spectacular views along the wintery shoreline of Maligne Lake. Hidden Cove makes a great destination at 3.5 km. Interested in spending the night? Call 1-877-737-3783 or visit reservation.pc.gc.ca. Be safe while travelling on ice. You can learn more about ice safety here.
Pyramid Bench
Pyramid Bench has a wide variety of summer trails ready for you to explore in the snow. Trail 15 is flat packed, or make your own tracks on the many other trails. Refer to the day hiking page for ideas.
Big Bend
Starting at Sunwapta Falls, this wide, forested trail winds through the upper Athabasca Valley toward panoramic peak and river views. Big Bend campground is a great place to try winter camping.

Ski touring

Looking to earn some turns? Visit our ski touring page.

Other ski areas

Marmot Meadows cross-country ski hub Closed for winter 2024 - 2025

This area is closed to the public by order of the superintendent. Access is prohibited.

Marmot Meadows cross-country ski hub
Difficulty Trail Distance Description Type
Easy Sparkle Loop
 0.6 km An easy, flat loop in Marmot Meadows with open views. Skate skiing
Classic skiing
Moderate Aspen Gardens Loop
No dogs		 1.7 km return Meander through evergreen forest on this classic-only trail before entering a large grove of Aspen and joining with Sparkle Loop.
* Travel is clockwise only.		 Classic skiing
Difficult Re Run Loop
No dogs		 3 km return Looking for a challenge? Re Run is your answer! This purpose-built trail features exciting hills, sporty turns and two panoramic viewpoints. Start on Sparkle Loop for access or on Aspen Gardens to add distance.
* Travel is clockwise only.		 Classic skiing
Easy Whistlers Loops
No dogs		 Various Choose your adventure from a total of 6 km of groomed campground trails. The ring road and loops 15/16 are groomed for classic and skate. The 1 km short-cut trail through loops 42 and 59 is classic only. Skate skiing
Classic skiing
Wabasso Campground Closed for winter 2024 - 2025

Wabasso Campground was significantly impacted by the Jasper Wildfire Complex in July 2024. This area is closed to the public by order of the superintendent. Access is prohibited.

Wabasso Campground
Difficulty Trail Distance Description Type
Easy Wabasso Campground Various Popular with families and dogs, this area provides a medley of options for all ski enthusiasts: gentle terrain, with a beautiful section of trail alongside the Athabasca River. Skate skiing
Classic skiing

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