Poster: A snowHead
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Has anyone got experience of Marmot Basin near Jasper as I'm out there for a week at the begining of April and it would be nice to know where to head etc.
Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Long way for a Brit to go for such a tiny resort.
Conditions will be typical spring skiing. Swinging from cold to warm.
Open until May.
Good for beginners and middlers. Not good for experts.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I've only been in mid winter and a few years ago. It's a long way from nowhere and was brutally cold. I only went as I got a bargain deal with no single supplement. The 200+ mile , 5 hour transfer from Calgary goes through the national park and spectacular ice fields. It is a small ski area, even the double diamond black runs are relatively easy. I met some interesting characters giving their life story whilst riding the chair lifts, one a free-heeling French Canadian character, a ranger in the wilderness. We the had an interesting run down the "Rock Garden" in patchy snow and low cliff drops, he finished his tale when we warmed ourselves by the fire pit. The runs get a bit repetitive but are transformed if you have fresh snow and then it is fun.
If you stay in town you need to use the shuttle to the ski hill and it has a insular small town feel in winter but you do have more options for eating and drinking. The D'ed Dog Pub had a bit of redneck local life and some live music and rustic fayre. Tonquin Inn and its Greek owner treated me well and served a great prime rib. Look out for the wildlife, Elk, Moose, deer etc wandering down the street and foraging for grain spilt from the trans-Canadian railway trucks.
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@Lechbob, thanks my trip is also going to be very cheap and as an introduction to Canadian skiing and wilderness it sounds great. Hopefully going in April will mean it is warmer than you found it.
I am staying in the town do I am looking forward to seeing the wildlife wondering the streets.
The runs sound ideal for what is needed. Apart from the rock garden are there any you would recommend?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@pieman666, Ski everything in bounds. If you get some fresh snow, play in the trees. I don't know what it will be like in April, maybe epic, maybe freeze/thaw so take care , its a crap shoot maybe the bears may come out of hibernation Probably too warm to walk on the frozen river to do the Ice Walk through Maligne Canyon . Have a great time, it certainly will be a new experience.
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I will do thanks @Lechbob.
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Not sure what Marmot is like in APril. This April I would think maybe quite good. It has been snowy and cold here.
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