How to Spend THREE DAYS in Jasper, Alberta in the Winter: The Best 3-Day Winter Itinerary

This blog may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy for more info.

Planning a winter getaway to Jasper? You’re in for a treat!

Jasper is a cozy mountain town in the Canadian Rockies, at the heart of the UNESCO-listed Jasper National Park. It’s a prime destination for skiing and snowboarding during the winter, but there’s also a lot to enjoy here beyond the slopes, like wildlife and incredible stargazing opportunities.

With so many wintery adventures on offer, we know it can be hard to know where to start, which is why we’ve put together this 3-day itinerary. We’ve ensured you’ll get your fair share of nature and outdoor adventures, as well as hearty food and time to chill. Here’s everything you need to make the most of your Jasper winter adventure!

Itinerary Overview

Getting around Jasper in winter is pretty easy! Jasper is compact, and the downtown area is very walkable. There’s less traffic here than there is in Banff, and the roads are well-maintained, so you can either drive to excursions outside of the main town or choose a tour with pickup. The only thing to note is that the roads can sometimes be icy in the winter, so you should ideally have some winter driving experience, and it’s a good idea to carry snow chains, even if you don’t end up using them.

Day 1: Start your morning spotting wildlife in the snowy wilderness, then spend the afternoon wandering Jasper’s charming wintery streets, before ending the day stargazing in the world’s largest Dark Sky Preserve.

Day 2: Choose your adventure this morning: either skiing at Marmot Basin, climbing up a frozen waterfall, or just relaxing in town. Spend the afternoon exploring Jasper as you see fit, and then enjoy the magic of Jasper after dark.

Day 3: Strap on some snowshoes and head out to explore Jasper’s winter trails this morning, then eat your way through town on a food tour this afternoon. End your trip with either a relaxing evening at a hotel lounge or ice skating on Pyramid Lake under the stars.

Day 1 

Breakfast – Jasper’s Wafflato 

Jasper’s cafe scene in winter is all about warm and cozy vibes, so start your getaway off strong with breakfast at Wafflato. It opens at 7:30 am, so you should have plenty of time for breakfast here before your tour begins at 9 am, although if you’re staying further out, you might want to grab something at your hotel. 

If you do come here for breakfast, the Liege-style waffles are the clear choice. These are rich, slightly caramelized waffles with a chewy center—they’re so yummy! I like them topped with berries and whipped cream, but if you want something savory, you can get bacon and eggs instead.

Morning – Spot wildlife in the snowy wilderness 

One of the best things about visiting Jasper in the winter is the chance to see wildlife out in the snow. However, it’s pretty tough to know where to look for creatures like elk, moose, and caribou by yourself, which is why we recommend booking this tour. It takes you out into the scenic Maligne Valley to spot some of Jasper’s most iconic animals, and teaches you a lot about the region’s history and ecology.

The tour will pick you up from your hotel just before 9 am, before taking you out to spot wildlife in the area’s scenic valleys. Keep your eyes peeled for elk, big-horned sheep, moose, and even wolves or coyotes! You’ll be with a local wildlife expert who will not only help you spot these awesome creatures, but also teach you about how they adapt to the long, snowy winters. 

It’s not just about the animals, though. The drive itself is absolutely breathtaking and such a great way to see some of Jasper’s most stunning winter scenery. You’ll enjoy several photo stops along the way, including the mysterious Medicine Lake, which partially disappears in winter due to its underground drainage system. It’s such a cool thing to see! 

And since this is only a 3.5-hour tour, it should be pretty easy to fit into your Jasper itinerary. It can be quite difficult to find animals like caribou and moose by yourself, so heading out on this wildlife tour is a great way to boost your chances of spotting them. The guides know exactly where to look and when, often spotting movement long before anyone else does. Plus, you’ll learn so much more than you would on your own!

Book this epic wildlife tour here and enjoy free cancellation!

Lunch – Jasper Brewing Company

After you get dropped back off at your hotel, head just down the road from your breakfast spot to Jasper Brewing Company for lunch—the first brewery in Canada to open inside a national park! It’s a lively, casual spot with a local vibe, and we love it for its hearty dishes and its excellent craft beers. Cheers!

For something a bit different, try the elk meatloaf sandwich, chicken burger, or a bowl of bison chili. I mean, when in the Rockies, right? Take your time over lunch and get ready for a relaxed afternoon in Jasper after this morning’s adventure.

Afternoon – Wander through Jasper’s snowy streets 

After lunch, spend the afternoon exploring Jasper at your own pace. The town is small, but it’s full of charming cafes and cute souvenir shops, not to mention art galleries and a really interesting museum. We’ve listed a few ideas below, so see what tickles your fancy and spend the afternoon checking out the spots that speak to you the most!

• Stroll through downtown Jasper – Bundle up and wander along Connaught Drive, which is Jasper’s main street. There are plenty of mountain outfitters and souvenir shops here, with snowy mountains rising up in the distance behind them. 

• Warm up with a coffee or hot chocolate – Stop by Bear’s Paw Bakery (my favorite) or the popular Lostlands Cafe to perk up with excellent espresso and perhaps a homemade pastry. Both are great spots to warm up and rest your feet for a while!

• Visit the Jasper Yellowhead Museum & Archives – This museum is a great place to learn about Jasper’s early mountaineers, fur traders, and railway roots. It’s a small museum, but it does a great job of telling the story of the town and the National Park through fascinating local exhibits. It’s open from Thursday to Sunday, and adult admission is $8 CAD.

• Take a short winter walk on the trails – Just a 5-minute drive from town, the Pyramid Lake trails wind through forested hills and offer great views of Pyramid Mountain. The trails are especially charming in winter when you can hear the soft crunch of snow underfoot in the otherwise silent forest!

Dinner – The Raven Bistro

As the sun starts to set over the mountains, head to The Raven Bistro for an early dinner. This is one of Jasper’s most beloved restaurants. It’s stylish but relaxed, and the menu does a great job of blending Canadian and Mediterranean cuisines.

Some of the standout dishes on the menu include Moroccan lamb shank, duck confit, and pasta tossed with truffle cream. The latter is my all-time favorite, and it’s just perfect after exploring out in the cold for most of the day! But whatever you order, it’s sure to arrive beautifully presented and boasting a ton of flavor.

Another reason we love coming to this place is that the staff are super friendly and they always make excellent wine recommendations. Although don’t drink too much because we’re going stargazing tonight! Since it’s a popular spot, making a reservation here is recommended, especially since you’ll want to try to time dinner for before your tour. If you book the 7:45 pm option, aim to eat around 5:30-6 pm, or about an hour later if you book the 8:45 pm tour.

Evening – Gaze at the stars in the world’s largest Dark Sky Preserve 

A whopping 97% of Jasper National Park is free from light pollution, which makes it an incredible place to go stargazing. So tonight, make the most of being inside the world’s largest Dark Sky Preserve with this telescope and planetarium combo tour.

This tour is even better during winter because you have a greater chance of seeing the Northern Lights at this time of year. Plus, you get clearer views of the night sky in winter thanks to the drier air and longer hours of darkness.

We recommend booking the tour for either 7:45 or 8:45 pm. You’ll start out in the planetarium, where you’ll learn all about Jasper’s night sky. For us, one of the most fascinating parts was hearing about local Indigenous constellations. Hearing stories that have been passed down across generations made us see the stars in a totally different way. 

After that, we headed outside to use the telescopes. We saw distant stars, the Milky Way, and the moon in incredible detail. And yes, if the conditions are right, you have a chance to see the Aurora Borealis. Sadly, we weren’t that lucky, but hopefully the odds will be in your favor!

And if the weather doesn’t cooperate, no worries! This tour offers a two-year return policy, so you can come back and do the experience again at no extra cost.

Book this awesome stargazing tour here and get ready to be wowed!

Day 2

Breakfast – Andromeda Coffee 

There’s no need to rush around this morning, so head to Andromeda Coffee whenever you’re ready. However, they’re open from 7 am daily (or 7:30 am on Fridays), so they’ll be ready for you if you’re more of an early bird.

Andromeda is a cafe for people who are serious about coffee, and it has a real hipster vibe with its local artwork and industrial chic decor. Plus, the baristas are super friendly and make everyone feel welcome.

The coffee here is some of—if not—THE best in Jasper. We love the flat white, but a lot of people rave about the honey and lavender lattes if you feel like trying something different today. They keep it pretty simple with the breakfast options, but that’s not a bad thing. I don’t think you can go wrong with avo toast or focaccia breakfast sandwiches!

Morning – Choose your winter adventure 

The theme for today is enjoying Jasper your own way! So this morning, we’ve got not one, not two, but THREE different options to choose from. There’s one for each type of traveler, so active travelers can spend the morning on the slopes, adrenaline junkies can embark on an ice climb up frozen falls, and those who like to take things slow can just relax and enjoy a wintery stroll.

Option 1: Ski the morning away at Marmot Basin

Jasper is in the Rockies, so of course skiing is an option here! We love Marmot Basin, Jasper’s ski resort, because it’s way less busy than the slopes at Banff and Lake Louise, so you don’t have to wait for ages for the chairlift. And it’s just as amazing as its famous neighbors, as it boasts excellent snow and epic views of the Athabasca Valley. 

Marmot is just 20 minutes from town, and it even has a ski-in ski-out parking lot, which is a fun bonus. But what I like most about it is the fact that there are runs for every level here, even from the very top chairlift! When I was just learning to ski, I was still able to ride the chairlift up with my friends who were tackling black diamond runs, which is a great plus here.

Option 2: Enjoy a slow morning around Jasper

If you’re not into skiing, then no worries, because there’s plenty of winter charm to be found in Jasper town. You can always enjoy a slow morning in town and soak up the alpine vibes. You can start this with another round of coffee, since you’re not in a rush, and then wrap up warm before heading out for a stroll along Beauvert Lake. The lake sits at the edge of Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, and it’s especially magical in winter, when the water freezes and is framed by snowy peaks and pines. 

If you’re looking for something a little more active, you can head to the Pyramid Bench Loop, a system of different trails, which sits just outside of town. You can spend 1-2 hours snowshoeing around and visiting the different viewpoints, and if you need snowshoes, you can rent them from Pure Outdoors, which is our go-to equipment shop in Jasper.

Option 3: Go ice climbing 

If you’re looking for a truly unique winter adventure in Jasper, I don’t think it gets much better than this Maligne Canyon ice climbing experience. This isn’t just any hike or scenic walk—with expert guidance, you’ll actually get to climb up a frozen waterfall deep in the heart of the canyon. It’s one of the most unique winter experiences you can have in the Rockies, and that’s really saying something!

The exact site changes depending on the conditions of the day, so you could climb up Maligne Canyon, Tangle Falls, or the aptly-named Edge of the World. There’s truly nothing like seeing the icy walls glistening in the winter sun, and you’ll have jaw-dropping canyon views all around you. Just be aware that the tour starts at 10 am and lasts for 6 hours, so we recommend bringing lunch with you for this one.

Book this exciting ice climb here and pay nothing until 48 hours before you go!

Lunch – Fiddle River Restaurant 

Unless you opted for the ice climb, head to the Fiddle River Restaurant for lunch once you get back to town. It’s located along Connaught Drive, and it sits upstairs, with big windows so you get mountain views from almost every table!

And the food is great, too. There’s plenty of freshly caught fish on the menu as well as wild game. I think that the steelhead trout is an especially great pick on a cold day! The crab and lobster poutine is also a really good choice if you want a Jasper twist on a Canadian classic.

Afternoon – Enjoy Jasper at your own pace

There are plenty of fun activities around town that we didn’t cover yesterday, so spend this afternoon ticking a few more of them off your list. Here are a few of our favorite activities:

• Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride at Pyramid Lake – A winter sleigh ride is one of the most magical things you can do in Jasper. So if you want to step into a living, breathing Christmas card, snuggle up under a blanket as a team of horses pulls you along the snowy trails by Pyramid Lake, taking in the views of Pyramid Mountain as you go. You can check prices and times here!

• Visit the Valley of the Five Lakes – If you love hiking, grab some microspikes and head out on the Valley of the Five Lakes Trail. The complete loop is about 4.6 km / 2.85 miles long, and the trail is well marked. It usually takes between 1.5 and 2 hours to complete in winter, depending on snow conditions.

• Try winter fat biking around town – For something active but not strenuous, rent a fat bike from town and explore Jasper’s groomed winter trails. The oversized tires make it easy, even if you’ve never done this before! You can take your bike out to the Pyramid Bench area, which has several routes that are suitable for beginners.

• Have a warming tasting at a local distillery – Jasper is home to several small batch distilleries, and many of them offer afternoon tastings of their gins, whiskies, or seasonal infusions! This is a fun way to stay warm while still enjoying a very local experience. We recommend Jasper Brewing Company for this!

Dinner – Cassios Italian Restaurant

Tonight, head to Cassios for some authentic Italian comfort food. This place is basically a Jasper institution, and it’s perfect for a warm and cozy dinner when it’s cold outside. The wood-fired pizzas are so good here, and I love the seafood linguini. It’s also worth saving room for their tiramisu for dessert if you’re the kind of person who loves to finish a good meal with something sweet—I know I do! Since it’s a popular spot, dinner reservations aren’t required but definitely recommended (reserve a table here).

Evening – Settle in for a cozy winter night in Jasper

After dinner at Cassios, you’ve got a few options for how to wind down this evening—that’s been the theme of this whole day, really! If you fancy a drink and some live music, head to The Stand Easy Pub (closed Sundays and Mondays). It’s a friendly spot where local musicians perform most nights, and it’s lively without being rowdy. You’ll meet plenty of locals here, too.

Alternatively, you can take a quiet stroll through town before heading to bed. Jasper feels very peaceful at night during the winter, and the fairy lights strung through the trees definitely add a little magic to the whole place. You can walk along Connaught Drive or walk down to the train station and enjoy the last of that small-town mountain charm before you turn in.

Related Read: Want to see Jasper in a whole different season? Dive into our 3-day Jasper summer itinerary here for glacier lakes, scenic drives, and sunshine-filled adventures.

Day 3

Breakfast – Bear’s Paw Bakery 

It’s your final morning in Jasper, so start it on a high note with a cozy breakfast at the amazing Bear’s Paw Bakery. This is our favorite bakery in the area, partly because it’s very warm and welcoming, but also because the pastries are just amazing. The cinnamon buns are positively drool-worthy, and I can never get enough of the raspberry white chocolate scones. However, if you’re more of a savory person first thing in the morning, you can grab one of their hearty breakfast sandwiches instead.

We’re not working with a strict time limit this morning, but we suggest heading out reasonably early so that you have time to enjoy the trails. It’s a good idea to get here at 8 or 9 am so that you have plenty of time to eat breakfast and explore the trails fully.

Morning – Strap on your snowshoes and explore Jasper’s winter trails 

As a Canadian, I can tell you that snowshoeing is something locals do all the time during winter, and it’s also a very peaceful way to enjoy the wilderness at this time of year. Jasper National Park is home to over 1,200 km (745 miles) of trails, so where better to strap on a pair of snowshoes and explore on your final morning in Jasper?

The great thing about snowshoeing is that it really doesn’t require any special skills. It can feel a little weird at first, but you soon get used to it! If you need to rent a pair, Pure Outdoors is an excellent choice, and the staff are super helpful.

Once you’re all kitted out, we recommend heading to the Pyramid Bench Loop. This is a scenic area with several moderate trails to choose from. You’ll need 1-2 hours to explore the area, depending on your pace. Or for something even more scenic, the Medicine Lake area offers incredible mountain vistas!

Light lunch – Estío Jasper

We’ve got a food tour coming up this afternoon, so make lunch a light affair today. We suggest heading to Estio Jasper for one of their Latin-inspired salads or small plates. They also offer really tasty empanadas, just don’t get carried away and eat too many of them! 

This place is a great choice because it offers something quite different from the food you’ll be enjoying on the food tour. However, it’s closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so if that’s when your second day in Jasper falls, we suggest heading to Earls Kitchen + Bar instead. They do yummy tacos, or their fresh sushi is a perfect option for a lighter meal.

After lunch, you can head back to your hotel to freshen up before your food tour if you like, as it doesn’t start until 2:30 pm. Just make sure you’ve got time to get back to the meeting point on Connaught Drive before then! 

Afternoon/Dinner – Taste your way through town on a food tour

Believe it or not, Jasper isn’t just about the mountains and wildlife. The food scene here is seriously underrated! And on a cold winter’s day, this walking food tour is the perfect way to warm up during the winter while tasting a bunch of different dishes.

The tour starts at 2:30 pm on Connaught Drive. It lasts for 3 hours, and it will replace dinner tonight, considering we also have lunch beforehand. But don’t worry, with four courses and four drinks, you’re going to be very full after this tour. I know we were!

The dishes were kept secret from us until they were actually set down in front of us, which was pretty cool. I won’t spoil them for you here, but what I will say is that they did a great job of showcasing classic Alberta produce and flavors. Plus, each course was paired with a drink!

Along the way, our guide also shared some quirky local legends with us and described how the town’s food culture has evolved over the years. We think it’s the perfect way to experience Jasper from a local’s perspective.

We also loved this tour because it was a casual, social experience, and we met some really great people along the way. Plus, we discovered some great food spots that we’ve since been back to quite a few times! No wonder it has 320+ 5-star reviews.

Book your spot on this top-rated food tour here, before it sells out!

Evening – Cozy or active? Your choice! 

It’s your last night in Jasper, so do things your way! You might be pretty tired after such an action-packed few days, in which case you can head to a hotel lodge for a drink with a view. We like the Emerald Lounge at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge because it’s a really classy spot. They have a great selection of winter cocktails, too. I like Smoke on the Sunrise, or you can warm up with a good old-fashioned Irish Coffee, and they have yummy bar snacks if you get peckish at any point.

But if you’d like to end your time in Jasper on a more active note, you can actually go ice skating on Pyramid Lake at night! The lake is usually safely frozen from December onwards, and under clear skies, the snow reflects the moonlight in a way that just looks breathtaking. You can rent skates from the lodge if you don’t have your own, or you can choose not to skate and just take it all from the lakeshore instead.

Where to Stay in Jasper, Alberta

So now that you know how to spend the best three days in Jasper this winter, you just need a great place to stay! We’ve hand-picked out three warm and cozy hotels to use as a base for your wintery adventures. Whether you’re a luxury traveler or on a tight budget, we’ve got you covered.

Luxury – $$$

Pyramid Lake Lodge is a gorgeous, alpine-style hotel. It’s a little out of town, but if you’re looking for a serene stay with sweeping views, this place is hard to beat! You can wake up to views of the lake and surrounding mountains, and enjoy sleigh rides and ice skating right on your doorstep. Then, when you’re ready to come inside and warm up, you can relax next to a gas fireplace or grab a warming beverage in the cozy bar.

King rooms start at $250 CAD per night during the winter months, while suites go up to $400 CAD. Check availability and book your stay here!

Mid-range – $$

Forest Park Hotel is a lovely property that offers great value for money. It sits on the edge of town, about a 15-20 minute walk or 5-minute drive from most of the best restaurants and rental shops. The rooms are comfy and they feel very homey, with big beds, warm lighting, and plenty of storage. We like the sleek bathrooms, too! 

The staff here are really friendly and there are coin laundry facilities on site, as well as irons and ironing boards. Plus, we think that the lodge-style building looks really cute when it’s dusted with snow.

Rooms and suites here typically cost between $165 and $315 CAD per night. Check availability and book your stay here!

Budget – $

Jasper Downtown Hostel is a clean, comfortable, and well-organized hostel. It makes a very cozy and affordable place to stay during the winter months, and dorm beds, twin rooms, and queen suites are available. There’s a shared kitchen in the basement and a study space on the first floor, both of which are kept spotless, and the friendly staff are always happy to help you out.

And in terms of location, this hostel cannot be beaten. It’s just a few doors down from Bear’s Paw Bakery, which we mentioned earlier, and the Jasper train station is just an 8-minute walk away. It really could not be more central!

Dorm beds typically cost around $55 CAD per night, while private rooms cost around $150 CAD. See all the options and book your stay here!

Looking for more options? Browse through all the hotels listed for Jasper here!

Renting a Car in Alberta

If you’re arriving in Alberta via plane then I can’t recommend getting a rental car enough! Canada is a large country and traveling between cities and even just getting out to some of the best places to visit in Alberta requires transport. Although you can use public transport, on some occasions, it means your trip will not only require more time but more planning.

Renting a car will definitely make exploring all of the fun things to see and do in Alberta easier.

Car rental in Canada isn’t super cheap, but it isn’t overly expensive either, especially if you get a budget car. The cheapest car with pickup and drop-off in different locations is around $100 CAD per day. The price does vary though depending on the time of year and the type of car that you rent. For car rentals, I use the website DiscoverCars.com. It’s a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. In fact, I’ve used them all over the world including in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia. Read our honest review of Discover Cars here for more details!

Check availability and prices on Discover Cars here!

Another popular option is to rent a campervan or motorhome (only for the brave in winter). Using Motorhome Republic you can search hundreds of deals across multiple companies to pick a great vehicle and the cheapest price. Having a motorhome is a stunning way to see Canada, and you can often camp for free or very cheap in the most beautiful places imaginable! Check out my review of Motorhome Republic here for tips before you book.

And if you’re planning to camp but don’t want to splurge on a huge RV, we highly recommend Smile Campervans. Based in Calgary, this local company provides compact campervans fully equipped with everything you need for a comfortable and affordable road trip adventure!

In fact, Smile Campervans has actually given us a special discount code for our readers! Use the code DESTINATIONLESSTRAVEL at checkout to get 5% off your campervan rental! Click here to browse availability, prices, and book with our discount code!

Thanks for reading!

If you’re craving a true winter getaway where mountain peaks, quiet trails, and cozy local spots all come together, Jasper is tough to beat. Winter turns this Rocky Mountain town into a calmer, quieter, unbelievably scenic escape, and three days is plenty of time to wander frozen canyons, soak in snowy views, spot wildlife, and enjoy Jasper’s warm, welcoming food scene.

Before you start packing those extra layers, don’t forget to browse our other Canada blogs here. We’ve explored so many corners of this country and have tons of tips to help you plan an amazing trip, no matter the season. Or here are a few great reads to get the ideas flowing!

How to Spend THREE DAYS in Banff in the Winter: The Best 3-Day Itinerary

How to Spend THREE DAYS in Whistler in the Winter: The Best 3-Day Itinerary

10 FUN & EXCITING Things to do in Lake Louise, Alberta