Ski Touring in Jasper — a Guide To Having Fun and Staying Safe

Ski touring is a fun and adventurous way to get your steps in during the winter months. Think hiking, but with skis!

I had never delved into the world of backcountry skiing nor did I know anything about it before living in Jasper, but I'm so glad I discovered this exciting past time. It's taken me to incredible heights and challenged me to push myself beyond limits I thought I had.

Do you want to try ski touring? Or perhaps you are an experienced tourer looking to venture out into Jasper's wilderness. This guide* is for beginners and enthusiasts alike to stay safe and have fun whilst ski touring in Jasper National Park. Skiing's not limited to crisp on-piste groomers and there's a world out there to explore! Discover how to get started, where to go and what to do when out in the back country in Jasper.

*Important note: I am not a licensed professional and this guide is based purely on my own personal experiences. I highly recommend travelling with a guide and getting additional back country safety training. Understand the risks and dangers of travelling in the back country before setting off, and enter the backcountry at your own risk.

Ski Touring at Bald Hills, Jasper National Park

Ski Touring in Jasper National Park

Where To Go Ski Touring in Jasper

Jasper National Park is vast, and there are a few ski touring locations available. However, locals and travellers alike can probably agree that these two spots are some of the best to go to, especially for newcomers to touring.

Parker Ridge, Icefields Parkway

Parker Ridge is located on the Icefields Parkway, about an hour south of town and next to the Athabasca Glacier. This is a popular spot for its acessibility from the highway, cooler temperatures and wide open space, perfect for carving.

Bald Hills, Maligne Lake

Another popular ski touring location is Bald Hills, next to the famous Maligne Lake. Head here for a very secluded experience amongst the trees. Once you break tree line, the sprawling hills open up to make for plenty of space and epic views of the lake. Allow an hour of travel time from town.

How To Go Ski Touring in Jasper

If you are an experienced ski tourer and have some friends up for an adventure (please never go ski touring alone!), you can hop in the car and drive to the trailheads of these locations. Ski touring in Jasper is very accessible, making for a convenient journey. Check trail maps and ski touring locations with Parks Canada for more up to date information, including trail conditions, elevation gain and avalanche risk.

However, if you are wanting to try ski touring for the first time, or you don't feel so confident in the back country, Jasper is a great place to try it for the first time because there are many tour operators and outfitters available to take you on a guided expedition! Some locally trusted outfitters include Rockaboo Mountain Adventures and Jasper Hikes & Tours, both offering a range of back country adventure opportunities.

Prepare To Go Ski Touring in Jasper

There are a few things that need to be done in preparation for ski touring. These steps should get you prepared as possible in the lead up to your trip.

Step 1 - Get Your Gear

Perhaps you already have your own ski touring set up — great! If not, Gravity Gear in Jasper can rent you a whole set up including skis, boots, skins, poles and avalanche rescue gear for a total of $75 per day. Considering how expensive a complete set up can get, this is a great deal! You can also rent individual items for less if you don't need certain items.

For your adventure, you will need:

• Touring skis - different from regular skis with specific bindings designed for walking in

• Touring boots - different from regular boots with function to switch between walk and ski mode

• Ski skins - to grip to the snow when travelling up hill

• Poles

• Ski helmet

• Goggles

• Gloves

• Transceiver

• Probe

• Shovel

• Adequate food and water for your journey

• Additional layers for warmth

It's recommended to take a suitable backpack which can hold a few litres (30L is a good size) to store all your items.

Step 2 - Decide on Your Location

Have a clear plan of where you're going to ski tour, how long travel time will take to get there and what time you plan to go. It's recommended to start early and finish early when ski touring so that the snow does not get too affected by solar raditation and other weather factors, increasing avalanche risk.

Step 3 - Check The Avalanche Forecast

This is perhaps the most important step of your journey and one which cannot and should not be overlooked! Check the avalanche forecast in the lead up to and morning of your journey. Ensure avalanche conditions are minimal and mitigate your risk of exposure as much as possible by choosing appropriate terrain when out ski touring. Avalanches can kill!

Step 4 - Get Avalanche Safety Training (Optional but Highly Recommended)

Take your avalanche awareness and education one step further by taking an Avalanche Safety Training (AST) course. This course will teach you how to further identify and mitigate avalanche risk and what to do in the event of an avalanche.

Having this additional training could mean the difference of life or death for you and your ski touring buddies. The aforementioned outfitters offer these courses as part of their programming.

At least one person in your group, but preferably as many as possible if not all, should have done this training prior to going out into the back country.

What To Do When Ski Touring in Jasper

Now, you're out there. Just you, your ski touring buddies and the mighty mountains. Being at the mercy of nature is always a humbling experience.

Have fun, enjoy the views and chase that pow, but make sure you have a clear plan, check all your equipment is functional and with you, check the avalanche forecast, communicate clearly with everyone in your party, check-in with one another often, and take regular breaks.

But most importantly, have fun! Not everyone gets the opportunity to go ski touring, and it'll score you some street cred for sure.

Where To Stay in Jasper

Been ski touring and now need a place to rest your head for the night? We've got plenty of recommendations for accommodation in Jasper. See where to stay here!

Best Places To Stay in Jasper National Park

Get a good night's rest and make the most of your experience at these comfortable hotels.

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Hopefully you've read this guide and successfully completed ski touring. Congrats! Keep enjoying Jasper and all the fun outdoor adventures this wonderful place has to offer.

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