Marmot Basin is high in the Canadian Rockies in a classic mountain setting. It sits near the border of Alberta and British Columbia, but much farther north than Banff. Edmonton is the closest big city, three hours away. The ski town is Jasper, founded in 1911 as a railroad site and now maintained by the Canadian Parks Service. The vintage cottages, stone houses, and steepled churches still remain. Marmot Basin is more obscure than its Canadian resort counterparts, Whistler and Lake Louise, and gives visitors a sense of remoteness. The resort is known as "The Big Friendly" and is popular with families. It is not uncommon to find a herd of elk grazing next to the lodges, or to hear the honking of Canada geese overhead.

Winter Activities

There are two ski peaks at Marmot Basin, Caribou Ridge and Marmot Peak, offering 2,300 vertical feet of skiing. Of the runs, 35 percent are marked beginner, 35 percent intermediate, and 30 percent expert. This part of Canada is prime ski touring country. Alpine meadows, forests, and pristine lakes are liberally scattered among high mountain peaks. Marmot also offers the most awesome glade skiing in the Rockies, and helicopter skiing in Valemount, British Columbia (fifty-six miles west of Marmot).

The Jasper area has opportunities for ice fishing, winter camping, snowshoeing , and ice skating. In addition, there is a guided three-hour cavern walking tour passing stunning ice falls and venturing into the depths of icy caves. Some visitors choose to gaze at the surrounding scenery and the abundant wildlife on an evening sleigh ride. A Snowcoach tour bus takes passengers into the heart of the Athabasca Glacier for ice-climbing, camping, or sightseeing.

Summer Activities

Summer activity choices at Marmot Basin/Jasper are as diverse as those in winter. There are always chances to mountain bike, hike the backcountry, and fish or kayak in the numerous lakes. Find glaciers, canyons, lakes, and a large wildlife sanctuary at Jasper National Park, or soak in the natural waters of the Miette Hot Springs Pool nearby. Raft tours are offered on the Athabasca and Maligne Rivers. For indoor activity, try the Jasper Activity Center for everything from racquetball to hockey.

Apr�s-ski

Meals range from the finest dining - complete with white-glove table service - to old-fashioned country cooking. In addition, Japanese, Greek, Italian, and deli food is available to satisfy any hunger pang. The nightlife is not especially exciting, but there are a few bars for stiff drinks and appetizers. The local Irish pub is called O'Shea's and for dancing there is the Atha-B Club.

Transportation

Marmot Basin is located nineteen kilometers southwest of Jasper on Highway 93 and 93A.

The town of Jasper itself is 287 kilometers north of Banff and 362 kilometers west of Edmonton. The closest airport to Marmot is the Jasper/Hinton Airport sixty-four kilometers east of Jasper. There is rail service into Jasper through VIA RAIL and Rocky Mountaineer Railtours. Bus service from Edmonton and Vancouver to Jasper runs four times daily. There are major car rental agencies located in Jasper as well.

There is bus service to both Vancouver and Edmonton four times daily from Jasper, and Rocky Mountaineer Rail has railroad tours around the area.

Housing

Most people coming to Jasper work and live in either staff accommodations (shared or dorm-style), or in an apartment supplied by the employer. Otherwise, rental apartments are available in town, and there are over ten campgrounds in the immediate area.

Employment

Most of the jobs in and around Jasper are seasonal, as the town is a major tourist area. The primary employers are the hotels, the ski hill, and other service-related businesses. For help and current information on jobs around Jasper, call Jasper Tourism and Commerce, (403) 852-3858, the Canada Employment Centre, (403) 852-4418, or the Career Info Hotline, (800) 232 -7215, for general job-hunting suggestions. One hundred and forty people are hired for the winter season.

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