Cross Country Skiing in Alberta
Marmot Basin | Norquay | Sunshine Village | Lake Louise | X-Country

Parks Canada Backcountry Avalanche reports
and updates are available at 1800-667-1105

Cross Country Skiing
The Rockies are almost as popular in the winter as they are in the summer. Cross country and downhill ski enthusiasts from around the World fly into Calgary and Edmonton and transfer to the Rocky Mountain Resorts. Both Jasper and Banff feature terrific cross country trails

Banff Area
The streets of Banff bustle with skiers in the winter, especially the spring months of March and April. There are more than 90 kilometers (55 miles) of trails that are maintained by Banff National Park and countless other spots.
Close toBanff are;
The Banff Springs Golf Course- Start Bow falls parking lot & cross bridge
The Cave and Basin River trail (1mile)- Start Cave and Basin parking lot & go north
Spray River loop (1.5miles)- Start at Bow Falls parking lot & cross golf course
Cascade fire road (8 miles)- Upper Bankhead pcinic site on Lake Minnewanka Rd.
Johnson Lake Loop (5 miles)- Start at dead end of road at Lake Minnewanka Rd.
Lake Louise (3.5 miles) From the chateau follow trail to the right
Also consider Boom Lake and Pipestone Loops
Forty mile loop (5.5 miles) is and intermediate trail. Take Norquay ski road north of Banff to parking lot number 3. Possible avalanche zone!
Check for details where you rent your skis

Rent equipment and get advice at the Ski Stop (203 Bear Street) and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (Conference building).

Jasper Area
Jasper locals are among the tens of thousands of skiers that dip thier poles into Banff Park's abundant snow. Despite the popularity the trails are very uncrowded and friendly. You are also much more likely to see wildlife on Jasper Park trails.

The best cross country ski area is beautiful Maligne Lake. 48 miles from Jasper (a delightful drive in itself) towards Edmonton. There are novice, intermediate and advanced trails some available from the Maligne lodge.
Novice - Maligne Lakeside loop or the Moose lake trails from parking lot #2
Intermediate - Lorraine Lake trail (from chaletacross bridge to Bald Hills fire road)
Advanced - At Maligne lake Evelyn Creek Trail
From Jasper Townsite
Novice - Whistlers campground trail (2.8 miles) drive south 2 (3km) miles from Jasper and turn right on Whistlers sky tram (also called Jasper Tram) road to the campground.
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge has an impressive system of trails
Intermediate - Mina Riley loop (6 miles long) Drive up Pyramid Lake road and stop at first parking lot on the left. Take trail #8
Pyramid Bench Trails - Mina Riley loop (various possibilities) Drive up Pyramid Lake road and stop at first parking lot on the left. Cross road and find path marked 2B
Advanced - Patricia Lake circle (3.7 miles) Drive up Pyramid Lake road and stop at riding stable parking lot. Take trail #6 across the road.

Try Totem Ski Rental (408 Connaught Dr), Edge Control 614 Connaught), Freewheel Cycle (618 Patricia), and Jasper Source for Sports on Patricia.