Jasper
Marmot Basin

Marmot Basin in prime condition in early December

Half of average annual snowfall has already fallen

– Dec. 5/11

Marmot Basin ski resort in Jasper, Alberta

Marmot Basin is on pace to shatter its season total for snowfall.
Photo courtesy of Marmot Basin

JASPER, AB — Marmot Basin has already received half of its average annual snowfall and there is still over five months of skiing and snowboarding remaining in the season.

200 cm of snow has fallen as of December 5, compared to 111 cm last year at the same time. Prime, mid-winter conditions exist throughout the entire ski area. Comments on Facebook and Twitter are rife with superlatives from Marmot skiers and snowboarders recounting glorious powder-filled days of perfect skiing; and it is not yet even mid-December. Marmot Basin has some of the best snow conditions in Canada right now.

[And Marmot Basin isn't the only place. Head on over to our Total Snowfall Contest for more on this season's incredible start ... and enter to win TWO Season Passes to the resort of your choice listed on SnowSeekers.ca]

Marmot Basin also opened two new chairlifts this winter: the Paradise high speed quad chair and the School House chair. A grand opening event is planned for Saturday, December 10, and everyone who visits Marmot on December 10 & 11 can enter to win a two-day ski holiday for two people, including lift tickets and rental equipment with accommodation at the Best Western Jasper Inn & Suites.

Most runs, and six of seven lifts are open

The Knob Chair is scheduled to open on December 10 after the grooming and avalanche control crews have completed their work in that area. So much snow has fallen during November that groomers are struggling to make it up to the top of the Knob Chair to pack out the “cat track” which is a requirement for getting the lift open.

Likewise, the avalanche control team has been challenged to get all their work done simply due to the abundance of snow in the alpine bowls. When the Knob opens on Saturday, skiers and boarders will again be thigh deep in powder snow.

The Rogers Terrain Park will open not too far behind the Knob Chair as snowmaking resumes in full force on December 11. Large mounds of snow will be blown into the terrain park so groomers can sculpt various features and jumps and so terrain park staff, known locally as “the Park Rangers” can set up rails and boxes. The Rogers Terrain Park will open well before the holiday season.

Marmot snow Dec 2, 2011.jpgThis is the winter of content in Jasper with ideal snow conditions, two new chairlifts and much to celebrate for every skier and snowboarder who chooses Marmot Basin as their Rocky Mountain playground.

Some facts and stats:

Total Snowfall to Date: 200 cm (half the annual average!)
Annual Average Snowfall: 400 cm
Settled Snowpack: 97 cm at mid-mountain, estimated 140 cm at higher elevations
Total Snowfall to Nov 30 (2011): 191 cm
10 year Nov average (2010): 76 cm

Jasper's new Paradise Chair opens

JASPER, AB – The new (and highly touted) Paradise high speed quad chair, Marmot’s latest $6 million development, opened to the delight of skiers and snowboarders on Saturday, November 26.

Massive snow dumps, record November, hit Marmot Basin

JASPER, AB – Marmot staff are literally up to their necks in snow as they deal with the largest total snowfall ever recorded for the month of November at Marmot Basin. 99 cm of snow fell on …

The Sunshine/Marmot card is back, with more savings

JASPER, AB — The 2011/12 Sunshine/Marmot Card offers better value than ever for the occasional skier or snowboarder who comes to Marmot Basin or its sister mountain, Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort, in Banff. …

"My Jasper" immortalizes the town in song

JASPER, AB – Edmonton based singer/songwriter Jessica Heine recently lent her incredible talent and time to Jasper, Alberta, with the recording of "Give Me Jasper".