One of the best "getaway" spots in North America! Marmot is a snow haven. Staff are top notch, facilities are state-of-the-art, and the customers are a map of the world. At night the town of Jasper is lively and friendly at the same time.

It was fabulous. I don't know where the 1" of new report came from but as of Mar. 19 there is at least 8" of new and still snowing.

Marmot Basin is one well-kept Canadian Rockies secret. With stunning views of Jasper National Park on a bluebird day, we tromped around the mountain last Friday for a skiing patchwork of glades, bowls, chutes, and groomers. The varied terrain let everyone find their niche, and at the end of the day, the favorite stash list was as numerous as people. Being in a national park, it's one of these rare areas where every run is natural--no bulldozers regrading slopes into a one incessant pitch. The result? A kicky hill that's fun to ski. And you can even get fresh powder turns days after a snowfall.

Marmot has also seen a record snowfall year. Late fall dumps allowed the area to open early, and the new snowmaking system installed on the lower runs will keep it open later in the season.

Highway 16 off the Paradise Chair won the groomer award, pulling us back for another couple laps. While forays off Knob Chair were mixed powder with a little windpacked crunch, trails in Eagle East and Charlie's Bowl still held straight powder. In Eagle's East, we cut in to Drop Zone for pleasant powder turns and worked down through the glades. Lower tree routes became tight and scraped where skier traffic funneled routes back to Slash. Even late in the day, Charlie's Bowl still held a few fresh powder tracks, although we hit wind chop on a few turns.

Lunch in the lodge's restaurant was accompanied by unbeatable southerly views. You could see the Icefields Parkway snaking along the valley floor. Plans for next winter include the addition of a long deck off the restaurant; I can just imagine lounging there with a beer after skiing!

With no on-mountain lodging, skiers stay in Jasper, 19 kilometers from the ski hill. It's an easy drive, or a quick bus ride, if you'd rather sit back to look for elk or bighorn sheep.

Marmot Basin is one place I'd hit again. It may be smaller than the other Canadian Rockies resorts, and it may be a heck of a lot further north, but the terrain is downright fun to ski.

User Photos (click to enlarge)

I book my trip based on a few key points for me. Marmot Basin sells their lift tickets at very nearly close to half what I would pay at nearby Lake Louise or Sunshine Village (as a student, mind you). Next reason Marmot appealed to me was the no-crowds aspect. And sure enough, didn't wait for more than 2 minutes at even the busiest lift. Very little in terms of terrain park, but it satisfies most. As a snowboarder, I couldn't stand all the moguls. My second day at the resort was cut short due to a power failure (lifts shut down), so I wasn't able to experience the amazing Eagle Ridge area of expert terrain. However, I did hike up from the top of the Knob chair, about halfway between the lift and the summit, to find some beautiful black diamond with untracked powder and amazing views. Bottom line is, Marmot Basin a great resort, but it could use a few more park features, better grooming on those extreme-hardpack runs in the alpine and finally the biggest problem - and the only one out of their control - more snow.