Visiting Jasper National Park in November
November in Jasper National Park marks the seasonal slide from fall into full-on winter! The lakes start to freeze, the crowds are gone, and the peaks are coated with snow.
Marmot Basin, the ski resort closest to the town of Jasper, opens each November for the season.
When it comes to skiing, rather than the crowds of Banff, you’ll get more open runs, beautiful alpine views, and a cozy mountain town as your base.
Key Info on Jasper in November:
- Rent a vehicle with AWD and snow tires.
- Embrace the cold: average daytime highs hover around 35-40°F in November.
- For road and highway conditions, check: www.511.alberta.ca.
- Find seasonal closures in Jasper at the National Park’s website.
Where to Stay in Jasper
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is the most iconic option around. It’s a sprawling complex, right across the Athabasca River from the town of Jasper. The resort offers a variety of options from rooms to suites to full cabins.
I loved having a lakeside outdoor patio and firepit!
This interactive map is centered on the Fairmont JPL. You can plug your dates in to check rates there and at surrounding properties:
I’d also rent a car for your trip (actually an SUV in November). I usually use Discover Cars to book rentals. Their search function is easy to use, and they include locally-owned car companies in addition to the big international brands.
The Benefits of Visiting Jasper in November
By November, Jasper starts to feel (and look) like a snow globe. The mountains and forests are dusted white, and the lakes freeze over.
The Top Perks:
- November is a quiet time in the park, before ski season gets into full swing.
- Hotel rates are usually lower, to coincide with demand.
- You’ll find ample parking at the trailheads, as fewer people brave the chill.
By mid-to-late November, Marmot Basin Ski Resort typically opens.
Warnings About a November Visit
The days become cold and short in Jasper, as they do pretty much everywhere else. Average highs barely hit the freezing mark, and nighttime lows are well below.
- Daylight lasts less than nine hours by November, so time for exploring will be cut short.
- Some of the trails, restaurants, and activities are closed in November. The Maligne Lake boat cruise, for example, ends in early October.
- The Icefields Parkway and other roads can temporarily become impassable in a winter storm.
- Winter tires are required after November 1st on Alberta’s highways.
A November visit requires dressing in warm layers, with insulated boots and traction (metal spikes or crampons) for icy trails.
Skiing in Jasper in November
Let’s go into a few more details about Marmot Basin, which is a 13-mile drive from the town of Jasper.
Marmot Basin: Jasper’s Home Mountain
- Opening Date: Marmot Basin typically opens mid-November, depending on snowfall.
- In recent years, it’s opened between November 8–15.
- Elevation: Base at 1,698 m (5,570 ft); summit at 2,612 m (8,570 ft).
- It’s the highest base elevation of any major ski area in Canada, which means: reliable early-season snow.
What to Expect in November
- Snow Conditions: Usually decent, thanks to Marmot’s altitude and snowmaking system.
- Most years, a few frontside runs and lifts (like School House, Lower Basin, or Eagle Ridge) open first, with more terrain added weekly as natural snow builds.
- Crowds: Minimal. November skiing in Jasper is incredibly quiet compared to Banff or Lake Louise.
- Deals: Marmot often celebrates opening week with discount lift tickets.
Final Advice for a November Ski Trip
- Your rental needs winter tires (required after November 1) for the drive up to Marmot Basin.
- Check the resort’s live snow report before your trip for updated terrain openings.
- Book accommodations early if you’re visiting during the American Thanksgiving weekend (the third Thursday of November), when Jasper sees a bump in visitors.
- If you’re renting gear, Totem Ski Shop and Jasper Source for Sports have solid setups right in town.
November Hiking in Jasper
As winter sets in, hiking options become more limited. Higher-elevation trails are snow-covered, and several are inaccessible.
Still, a few trails remain accessible. Just pack crampons or snowshoes if you plan to explore.
- Athabasca Falls: Plan to spend 30 minutes to an hour at this spot, 20 miles south of Jasper (photo below).
- Sunwapta Falls: Plan an hour-long visit here, 35 miles south of Jasper.
- Toe of the Athabasca Glacier: You’ll need an hour to make the trek (likely in harsh wind), 65 miles south of town.
- Mistaya Canyon: Often overlooked, it’s one of my favorites on the highway.
If you’re traveling south from Jasper into Banff, the Big Beehive Hike above Lake Louise is definitely one I’d recommend… as long as you bring spikes for your hiking shoes! Lake Louise and Peyto Lake are perhaps the most famous turquoise lakes in Alberta.
Dark Skies in Jasper
Jasper National Park is world famous for its dark skies, and general lack of light pollution. It’s the second-largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world.
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada designated Jasper a Dark Sky Preserve in 2011. That means the park uses downward-facing lights and shields, so the natural night sky stays visible.
On a clear night, you can spot the Milky Way stretching from horizon to horizon, countless constellations, shooting stars, and even the Aurora Borealis (northern lights) if you’re lucky. I haven’t been that lucky yet, but it gives me excuses to return!
Winter also brings back the spectacular Geminids meteor shower.
The crisp, dry air and high elevation make for exceptionally clear viewing conditions, especially in late fall and winter.
Around Jasper, these are a few favorite spots for dark sky viewing:
- Pyramid Island: Easy access, and close to town (on Pyramid Lake).
- Jasper Lake: Wide open views and reflection shots.
You can also check out the Dark Sky Package and planetarium at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
Wildlife Spotting in November
You can see elk, bighorn sheep, bears, and other wildlife, all preparing for the long winter ahead. The bears in Jasper typically fall into hibernation in November.
Thanksgiving at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October. The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge celebrates the American holiday, too, in late November.
Visitors can mark Thanksgiving with a number of activities and events, including carving pumpkins from the patch at the Lodge.
Yes, they’re serving turkey, raised locally in Alberta! In fact, the staff will prepare the entire Thanksgiving feast to serve to your family or group in your private cabin, including:
- A whole brined Alberta turkey
- Salad of Alberta greens
- Spiced pumpkin soup
- Honey ale butter brussels sprouts
- Whipped pomme puree
- Maple-glazed veggies
- Pumpkin pie
Hopefully you’ll luck out with clear weather, and be able to take a post-Thanksgiving meal walk around the lake!
Getting to Jasper National Park
There’s a small airport for private planes, but you’re more likely to fly into Edmonton (or Calgary) as you make your way to Jasper.
Again, the weather is the big “unknown,” and a storm might delay your trip in November.
Jasper By Car
For flexibility purposes, it’s best to rent a car to get to Jasper.
➡️ Click to Check Rental Car Rates
From Edmonton, it’s about a 3.5-hour drive. From Calgary, it’s closer to five hours. It could take much longer, depending on the road conditions on the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper.
Jasper By Train
From Edmonton, Rail Canada will take you to Jasper in just over 6 hours. The trains typically run on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Jasper By Bus
SunDog Tours offers a few bus options between Jasper and either Edmonton or Banff/Calgary.
A typical trip from Edmonton takes about five hours, and looks like this:
- 3:00PM – Depart Edmonton International Airport
- 6:15PM – Arrive at Edson
- 7:15PM – Arrive at Hinton
- 8:00PM – Arrive at Jasper
Wrap: What to Pack for a November Visit to Jasper
Your suitcase will be FULL with the gear needed to keep you warm!
- Heavy winter jacket and base layers
- Insulated, waterproof boots
- Gloves, hat, and scarf
- Crampons or microspikes for icy walks
- Bear spray (yes, bears can still be active early in the month!)
Visiting Jasper in November isn’t about ticking off every attraction on your bucket list. It’s about slowing down and experiencing the park at its most peaceful time of year. If you’re prepared for potentially harsh weather, the snow, silence, and starlit nights make it a special time to explore the Canadian Rockies.
