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An intimate look at the humans of Jasper, Canada

4 Days of Fat Biking and Ski Touring

Experience an epic day of fat-biking, a backcountry ski touring adventure, ice-climbing in a canyon, a morning of cross-country skiing on groomed trails, and a memorable day carving your way around the slopes of Marmot Basin.

Skill Level

skill-novice
skill-intermediate
skill-advance
skill-extreme
icon-days
4 days
icon-cost
$$
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winter
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2703 M

Recommended Gear

Fat bike, Skis

Experience an epic day of fat-biking, a backcountry ski touring adventure, ice-climbing in a canyon, a morning of cross-country skiing on groomed trails, and a memorable day carving your way around the slopes of Marmot Basin.

Day 1

Fuel to Take on the Day

Start your day off right with breakfast at a local favourite.

Cost:

$
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Coco’s Breakfast Wrap: Eggs, ham, veggies & cheddar with a secret sauce wrapped in a warm curry tortilla.

Gear/Equipment Recommended:

skill-novice

Fat Biking

Ease into your fatbiking adventure with a popular ride.

Duration:

30 minutes drive time; 30 minutes ride time

Cost:

Free - $$
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Ride the snow covered terrain of Maligne Valley on tires that are four to 10 centimetres wide with very low pressure, allowing for better traction. 

Elevation:

1440 M

Gear/Equipment Recommended:

A fat bike and helmet can be rented in town at several locations including Source For Sports, Vicious Cycle, and Freewheel Cycle. 

skill-novice

Fat Biking

Hop on a groomed trail or challenge yourself to something untamed.

Duration:

1-2 hours. Don't forget to make stops!

Cost:

Free - $$
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Get back out pedaling by taking Trail 6 on a 4.6 kilometer ride or Trail 8 to 8C on an 8.2 kilometer groomed ride along the Pyramid Bench area north of the town site.  OR also nearby, try the HoChi Mini trail. This 3.4 kilometer trail begins at Patricia Lake and ends at Pyramid Beach Road along Pyramid Lake. 

Elevation:

1200 metres

Gear/Equipment Recommended:

A fat bike and helmet can be rented in town at several locations including Source For Sports, Vicious Cycle, and Freewheel Cycle. 

Happy Hour and Dinner

Not your typical tourist spot, The De'd Dog is the real deal.

Duration:

Until your hunger is satisfied and your thirst is quenched.

Cost:

$
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The De’d Dog is the spot to gather and swap stories from your day of adventure. This is a place that evokes a strong respect for the essence of mountain culture. A place where everyone and anyone can come to socialize with new and old friends; A local’s favourite. Try Erin’s go to: the Pub Burger, and a glass of red wine – always!

Gear/Equipment Recommended:

Day 2

Breakfast

Great vibes and coffee await.

Cost:

$$
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Grab a bite and a coffee to go from this artsy coffee shop, restaurant, and store.

Gear/Equipment Recommended:

skill-intermediate

Ski-Touring

Pack a lunch; you'll need the energy for this full-day backcountry ski adventure.

Duration:

6-8 hours; 1.5 hour drive time

Cost:

Free - $$
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This is a 3 kilometer return trail. Starting at the Hilda Ridge Parking lot, cross the highway head east and find the old gravel road that leads to the Hilda Creek Hostel. A short distance down the road you'll see a well worn trail on your left heading up towards Hilda and Parker Ridge. This trail quickly climbs above the tree line onto the Parker and Hilda Meadows. Parker Ridge itself is a fossilized reef. Just west of Hilda Ridge is the Hilda Glacier and the south east face of Little Athabasca.

Elevation:

2703.2 Metres

Gear/Equipment Recommended:

Backcountry skis or snowboard, poles, climbing skins, boots, goggles, avalanche probe and transceiver, snow thermometer, snow shovel, ski repair kit

Dinner Time!

Refuel after a hard day of ski--you'll need it!

Cost:

$$$
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It’s been a day full of epic activity – time to cure the hunger. Try Erin’s favourite, the Smoked Duck Club accompanied with a glass of red wine!

Gear/Equipment Recommended:

Day 3

Breakfast on the Hill

Start your day with a solid meal so that you can go hard til lunch.

Cost:

$
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Opens at 8:00 AM so you can grab your morning coffee and breakfast sandwich before heading out on the slopes! 

Gear/Equipment Recommended:

Visit Marmot Basin
skill-novice

Downhill Skiing

These are the real rockies.

Duration:

6-8 hours; 25 minute drive time

Cost:

$$$
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Hit the slopes at Marmot Basin, the northern most Rocky Mountain ski area. Here the abundant dry, light and fluffy snow is a dream to ski and snowboard. With the highest base elevation in Canada, over 400 centimetres of natural snow blankets the area from November through May, creating epic snow conditions all season long. 

Experience a steep run with deep powder on one of Erin’s favourite runs, Charlie’s Bowl. If fast arcing turns on the groomers is more your style, try her other favourite, Porteous Way. 

Elevation:

Summit: 2612 meters or 8570 feet / Base: 1698 meters or 5570 feet

Gear/Equipment Recommended:

Downhill skis or snowboard, goggles, helmet, boots, poles if skiing, warm clothes, appropriate outer shells, mitts. Equipment can be rented at Marmot Basin.

Ski Marmot Basin

Pizza time -- you earned it!

Is there anything better than pizza? We don't think so.

Cost:

$ - $$
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Sit back and relax with a slice…or five…to replace all of those burned calories. Make Erin proud and indulge in a glass of red wine to accompany your za.

Gear/Equipment Recommended:

Visit Famoso Pizzeria

Day 4

Breakfast Treat and Caffeine

Jasper's best coffee... hidden in a local laundromat.

Cost:

$
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Stop in for a freshly made muffin and some of Jasper’s best coffee. SnowDome is uniquely tucked away downstairs in the Laundromat on Patricia Street. Don’t miss it!

Gear/Equipment Recommended:

skill-novice

Cross-Country Skiing

Start your day off with an easier trail with some incredible views.

Duration:

1-2 hours, or however long you'd like to be out for!

Cost:

Free - $
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Enjoy a more novice loop with fantastic views on the 750 meters of groomed trails at Marmot Meadows (Whistlers Campground) or for a little bit more of a challenge try the 5.1 kilometer one way Pipeline Trail. The Pipeline Trail, located roughly 5 kilometers west of Jasper along Highway 16 and next to the Miette River, boasts gentle terrain but with a few subtle ups and downs.

Gear/Equipment Recommended:

Cross-country skis, poles, boots and bindings

skill-intermediate

Ice-Climbing

This is a definite bucket list activity for all adventure levels.

Duration:

6 hours

Cost:

Free - $$$
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Ice-climbing is an exciting and wildly popular way to enjoy winter in Jasper. Although there are several areas to climb within the park, Maligne Canyon proves to be a popular spot suitable for climbers of all levels and experience. Several of the climbs can be accessed from above by rappel and/or for setting up top ropes. If you wish to try this sport out with a guide, Rockaboo Mountain Adventures offers ice-climbing for those that have never tried it before. 

Elevation:

1100 metres

Gear/Equipment Recommended:

Harness, biner and belay device, allen key or wrench, quickdraws, boots, dry rope(s), crampons, guidebook, ice screws, helmet, daypack, ice tools, ice clippers, spare pick, sewn slings, v-thread hook, webbing, and prussiks. 

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Dinner at the Brew Pub

Local craft beer and upscale pub food that with something to please everyone.

Cost:

$$
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Come visit Jasper's National Park Brewery. With six signature beers brewed on-site, they use only the best: premium hops and malts combined with our own cultured yeast strains. Their final ingredient is the pure, natural mountain water sourced from the great Canadian Rockies. Enjoy a pint of the local’s favourite, Jasper the Bear Ale, along with a delicious bowl of Bison Curry.

Gear/Equipment Recommended:

Make Reservation

4 Days of Fat Biking and Ski Touring

Day 1

Fuel to Take on the Day

Fat Biking

Fat Biking

Happy Hour and Dinner

Day 2

Breakfast

Ski-Touring

Dinner Time!

Day 3

Breakfast on the Hill

Downhill Skiing

Pizza time -- you earned it!

Day 4

Breakfast Treat and Caffeine

Cross-Country Skiing

Ice-Climbing

Dinner at the Brew Pub