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Tree lined slopes
Marmot Basin, nestled in the hills above Jasper, is a fair size
and unpretentious ski area. It is an area about the size and type
of terrain of one of the 'Portes du Solei' ski areas, just without
the massive network leading off the back. It has tree-lined slopes
on the lower part of the mountain and bald summit, but unlike Banff
area skiing the trees here are much more widely spaced allowing
skiing most places. The uppermost ridges must be hiked to ski and
are subject to closure due to avalanche danger. The area is served
by a mixture of older fixed chairs, newer detachable quad and a
T-bar.
This winter there is a better than average snow pack - or so I'm
told. This to me meant that with no fresh snow in 10 days or more
the skiing on piste was rather good; the bumps and chutes were firm
but not yet icy. So good was the snow that on the backside, a run
known as outer limits, powder turns were still to be found. This
maybe more to do with the informative (rather than sensational in
certain other resorts) signage keeping people at bay, but it was
well worth the half an hour on the flat to get back to the lifts.
Quiet Jasper
Jasper itself is a little sleepier than Banff but also has a little
more room to breath. Being much more in the open than Banff. The
mountains here being a little more set back. Not being on the edge
of the Trans Canada Highway also makes things quieter.
My only problem with this thoroughly enjoyable ski area is how far
away it is. The drive, about 200 miles, along the Ice fields Parkway
is incredibly spectacular, even after 5 seasons in the Alps this
has to be one of the best roads I've ever driven, worth driving
for the road itself. From Lake Louise to Jasper there is nothing
but wilderness in winter.. and only a few token stops and one exit
in summer!
Feather light steering
The road rises and falls several 1000's of feet, winding through
spectacular glaciated terrain. This beauty isn't without it's dangers
though - there are huge drop-offs to contend with, the pure isolation
and cold winter temperatures. Scariest of all is the ice - not patches
of it but the whole road for more than half the distance is frozen
soli!. Fine to drive on if you are gentle but so unforgiving if
you aren't.
You could ice skate for many
miles on this stuff. Myself I stuck to sitting on cruise control
and trying to be feather light on the steering. Whilst I had a mew
'moments' here and there I stayed out of the snow banks - it would
have been a very long walk home if I screwed up! I was lucky enough
to drive the road at probably the best time of day - Dawn and then
again at Dusk.
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caricefields.jpg - heading hme up the icy highway
draggon.jpg - a draggon lurking in the sky?
endlessroad.jpg - it goes on for almost ever.
jasper.jpg - sleepy one hores town
jasperoverview.jpg - lokking towards jasper over marmot's lower
slopes
moonrise.jpg - moonrise
sign1.jpg - now read this - 2nd warning from the bottom sign
2.jpg - first read this
tomedge.jpg - looking south towards the endless mountains
topbowls.jpg - the upper mountain
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