If you’re searching for an unforgettable winter destination in Canada, Jasper deserves a spot at the very top of your list. Known as one of the best stargazing destinations in the country, Jasper offers endless outdoor adventures, snow-covered landscapes, winter festivals, abundant wildlife, and some of the most beautiful night skies you’ll ever see. It’s a place worth visiting in every season, but winter is especially magical.
During the colder months, Jasper National Park transforms into a quieter, slower, and more enchanting version of its summer self. With fewer crowds, dramatic mountain vistas, frozen lakes, and incredible wildlife sightings, winter allows you to experience Jasper in a more intimate way. While we love Jasper year-round, there’s something special about embracing the cold, and the rewards are well worth it!!
We visited this past January to experience Tourism Jasper’s annual Jasper in January winter festival, when the town truly comes alive. From outdoor adventures and community events to incredible dining and entertainment, there’s something happening both day and night. Following the devastating 2024 wildfires, Jasper has been steadily rebuilding and regenerating, and visiting this mountain town is one of the most meaningful ways to support its recovery. All of the recommendations in this guide reflect what is open and accessible as of January 2026.
So if you’re dreaming of a magical winter escape without the crowds, here’s everything you need to know to plan the ultimate Jasper in January getaway.
Medicine Lake
Maligne Lake
Pyramid Lake
Why Visit Jasper in January?
Beautiful snow-covered landscapes and frozen waterfalls, easily accessible in winter
Excellent skiing and snowboarding just 20 minutes from Jasper town
The annual Jasper in January Festival from mid January to early February, celebrating winter, food, culture and adventure
Prime wildlife viewing, such as moose, elk, deer & bighorn sheep!
World-class stargazing and a high chance of aurora borealis
Cosy cabins & accommodations with a frozen lake & mountain backdrop
An important note: many of Jasper’s spots along the Icefields Parkway & Maligne Lake do not have cell signal. I recommend keeping your vehicle stocked with essentials at all times & if you have an iPhone, making sure Emergency SOS via Satellite is enabled in case of an emergency. Winter conditions can change quickly so make sure you’re prepared - check out my guide to driving the Icefields Parkway in winter for more info.
Sunwapta Falls
Pyramid Lake
Glacial Dip & Sauna, Fairmont JPL
Marmot Basin
Best spots to visit in Winter
While a lot of Jasper National Park is blanketed in snow during the colder months, Jasper’s most iconic spots are still accessible & arguably more beautiful when covered in snow! If you have access to a car, all of these places are accessible self-guided (winter tires are mandatory). If you’re visiting without vehicle access, you can hop on a tour with companies like Sun Dog to visit these spots. Check out my guide to dog-friendly winter Jasper activities if you're travelling with your pup. Our favourite places to visit in winter are:
Maligne Lake - A 1 hour drive from town, Maligne Lake is other-worldly in winter. The 22.5km lake freezes in winter & becomes an absolute winter wonderland. It’s quiet, vast, with never-ending mountain vistas to enjoy. There are a selection of lake and forest trails to roam in winter & it’s a great place to snowshoe. Note that the cafe is closed during the winter months. The beginning of Maligne Lake road was heavily impacted by the wildfires, but the fire damage stops before Medicine Lake.
Medicine Lake - If you’re visiting Maligne Lake, Medicine Lake is a stunning stop-off on the way in the Maligne Valley. This is a beautiful photo spot & keep an eye out for bighorn sheep on the road & on the lake!
Goats & Glaciers Viewpoint - One of my favourite viewpoints along the Icefields Parkway! On a clear day, the mountain views are breathtaking.
Medicine Lake
Sunwapta Falls
Athabasca Falls - In winter, this spot transforms into a frozen wonderland. The roaring waterfall freezes & it’s a great spot for winter trails. Ice cleats are recommended as the trails to the lower viewpoints get super icy.
Sunwapta Falls - A beautiful spot year-round, but perhaps even more beautiful in winter! The waterfall freezes in the winter months & the ice formations are stunning. Located 50 minutes from Jasper down the Icefield’s Parkway.
Pyramid Lake - Pyramid Lake feels completely untouched in winter - snow blankets the lake & it’s the perfect destination for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing & ice skating outside of Jasper town. The Pyramid Mountain peak is iconic to Jasper & forms the best backdrop for day & night sky photography from Pyramid Island.
Beauvert Lake - We love Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge’s Glacial Plunge & Sauna Experience by Beauvert Lake! Take a dip in the icy lake, warm up in their cedar sauna & take part in a guided meditation & breathwork session to get your day off to the best start. This is available to guests & non-guests, you can book here.
Skiing & Snowboarding at Marmot Basin
Jasper is home to one of Canada’s most underrated ski resorts, just a 20 minute drive from town. Marmot Basin operates from late November to early May with over 1,700 acres of skiable terrain, a wide variety of runs & fewer crowds than other major resorts in the Rockies.
We skied on a sunny bluebird Sunday in January & we couldn’t believe how few lineups there were. The views are unbelievable, lift tickets are affordable & I definitely recommend grabbing yourself a Bison Bolognese from Eagle’s Smokehouse at Marmot’s mid-station for lunch. It’s delicious.
If you’re in Jasper without a car, shuttles run daily from Jasper town & from Jasper Park Lodge, Pyramid Lake Lodge & other key hotels.
Jasper in January
Jasper town comes alive every January with the annual Jasper in January event! From street parties, to iconic pond hockey tournaments, to sleigh rides & poutine showdowns, there are tons of events to take part in. Check out Tourism Jasper's website for the full lowdown of events.
Winter Tours & Experiences
Exploring Jasper with a guide or on a group tour is a great way to get outdoors, discover the best wildlife spots & navigate winter conditions, especially if you’re visiting without a vehicle.
Recommended tour companies:
SunDog Tours - Winter wildlife tours, snowshoeing and icewalk adventures. We did a Snowshoe tour at Maligne Lake & it was lovely!!
Jasper Photo Tours - For day and night photography tours, including aurora chasing at local spots.
Where to Stay in Jasper
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - This is our absolute favourite Jasper accommodation. Their luxury cabins are surrounded by Beauvert Lake, scenic views, walking trails & very often lots of wildlife! It’s not uncommon for deer & elk to wander past your window at night or for bears to be spotted frequenting the golf course in summer. JPL is ideal for a romantic or wellness-focused stay.
Our favourite accommodations are the Crosby Cabins with a wood fire, the Bayview Suites & Lakeview Suites overlooking Beauvert Lake, the Athabasca Cabin (aka Honeymoon cabin!) for a secluded stay & the Ridgeline Cabin for a truly luxurious cabin escape overlooking the river. All accommodations are pet-friendly.
Pyramid Lake Lodge - We stayed here for the first time this winter & it’s so stunning! They have a selection of cosy, lakeside suites with stunning mountain views & direct access to Pyramid Lake.
Staying here gives you unlimited access to the frozen lake & you can rent skates, snowshoes & cross-country skis from the Lodge. It’s such a lovely, quiet & scenic base for exploring Jasper, and a great spot if you like stargazing too since Pyramid Lake Island & Bridge is a great spot for aurora watching! If you stay here, make sure to check out the Aalto restaurant for breakfast or dinner.
Sunwapta Falls
Pyramid Lake
Maligne Lake
Maligne Lake
Where to Eat & Drink
Jasper has a thriving foodie scene & many cosy spots to hang out in on a winter evening. Here are our must-visit spots:
Otto’s Cache – sandwiches & snacks to grab before adventures
Terra Jasper – locally foraged, seasonal dishes
Maligne Range - intimate dinner and craft cocktails
Lost Lands Café & Bear’s Paw Bakery – coffee and freshly baked treats
ORSO at Fairmont JPL – elevated date-night dining & Italian fare
Aalto at Pyramid Lake – lakeside dining with amazing views of Pyramid Lake
Jasper Brewing Co. – a casual dining spot with plenty of local craft beers
Jasper Pizza Place – delicious wood-fired pizza
Jasper Food Tours – a great way to taste it all in one go & support a local tour company
Aalto, Pyramid Lake Lodge
Stargazing & Aurora Viewing
Stargazing is a must-do activity in Jasper & January offers some of the clearest night skies of the year. & if you’re lucky, you might even catch an Aurora viewing! My go-to free apps/websites are:
Clear Dark Sky to check the cloud forecast
My Aurora app - check the “Aurora Map” & “Best Locations Right Now” tabs
Northern Light Aurora Forecast - you can set up phone alerts
Best stargazing spots in Jasper:
Pyramid Lake Bridge - a great photospot for capturing the milky way above Pyramid Mountain & for aurora viewing!
Beauvert Lake - A lovely peaceful and dark spot with wide open skies. Head to the southern part of the lake for aurora viewing.
Jasper Planetarium - Head to the Planetarium at Jasper Park Lodge to learn about Jasper’s night sky and constellations & see the stars through their huge telescopes.
Winter Travel Tips for Jasper
Visit during the Jasper in January Festival for food events, outdoor activities and local culture
Check Parks Canada website for updates on hiking, walking & cross-country trail conditions
See DriveBC & Alberta 511 for road conditions pre-travel. The Icefields Parkway sometimes closes f
Don’t forget to buy your Parks Canada Pass
Dress in layers and pack proper winter footwear. I recommend buying these handwarmers & toe warmers or a set of rechargeable warmers to keep in your gloves or inner pockets.
Plan shorter driving days as winter light fades early.
Is a trip to Jasper in January on your Canada bucket list?!
This post was created in collaboration with Tourism Jasper, who supported this trip. All opinions are our own based on our personal experiences.