These eight fun family-friendly winter activities in Jasper are an excellent way to unplug and get outside with your family.
1. Snowshoe at Maligne Lake
Maligne Lake is where the snow is, lots of knee-deep snow.
Bald Hills Trail is in Woodland Caribou Habitat, the Bald Hills Trail and many others in the Maligne Lake area remain closed until February 28th. A very reliable source told me that they hadn’t seen a Caribou in this area for many years…hopefully, they are there but just keeping their distance.
Upper Moose Loop – 6km loop
Chariot with skis or
Cross Country Ski Pulk Friendly
Once a tracked set cross-country ski trail it is now a designated snowshoe trail. Although no longer track set, you could comfortably ski the trail with a pair of light touring skis.
The trail meanders through a fragrant Alpine Forest of Spruce and Pine trees, most of which are hosts to Old Man’s Beard and Witches Hair lichens.
This trail also takes you past a very old rockslide.
The Upper Moose Loop isn’t an official summer trail, but my son and I did end up on this trail last summer, and we both concur, it is best as a snowshoe trail.
Heading Down Trail, Upper Moose Loop, Maligne LakeAt one point in time, someone has scored the trees with arrows- definitely not something that Parks would have done.
Moose Lake Loop- 2.6km loop
Chariot with skis or
Cross Country Ski Pulk Friendly
Perfect for families with younger children and beginner snowshoers.
If you would like to combine the Moose Lake Loop with the Upper Moose Loop, I would suggest starting with the Moose Lake trail and connect to the Upper Moose Lake Loop, which then takes you downhill to Maligne Lake.
I, of course, did it the opposite way, and started along the Maligne Lake shoreline to the Upper Moose Snowshoe trail and went back along the portion of the Lower Moose Snowshoe trail that goes past Moose Lake.
Mary Schaffer Loop 3.2km loop
Chariot with skis or
Cross Country Ski Pulk Friendly
I have walked the full loop in the summertime, but on this particular winter visit I was pressed for time, so I only went to the viewpoint.
2. Ice Skate On A Mountain Lake
Lake Mildred Ice Park at Jasper Park Lodge (JPL) and Pyramid Lake offer ice skating loops, hockey rinks, curling sheets and bonfires that provide a cozy place to warm up beside.
Tiki Torches line the Mildred Lake Skating oval so you can skate at night. Unfortunately, these torches didn’t get lit the night I went, thankfully, I had my headlamp, so I managed to see where I was going and skated for a good 30 minutes before I left.
3. Go For A Sleigh Ride
On weekends, Jasper Stables offers Sleigh Rides to Pyramid Island.
We have also enjoyed summer trail rides with Jasper Riding Stables.
4. Strap on Some Skinny Skis
There are cross-country ski options close to the town of Jasper if you’re looking for some family-friendly winter activities.
Maligne Lake isn’t a track set, but you can break trail and head to Hidden Cove. Something that is still on my “to ski list.”
You can rent skis and snowshoes from several different locations in Jasper.
5. Take A Hike With Your Children
Here are a few of my favorite hikes in Jasper to take with my children during the winter:
Overlook Trail – 6km Loop
Wide Wheeled Stroller Friendly
There isn’t a lot of snow on the bench, snowshoes are not necessary, and I made it up to the lookout without the need for Yaktrax.
I had the Red Chairs all to myself on this trip.
From the chairs continue along the Overlook Trail for some fantastic views of the Valley.
Pyramid Island Trail
Wide Wheeled Stroller Friendly, i.e., Chariot
The Pyramid Island on this visit was well packed down, and rather than take this path back I walked back to the parking lot on the lake.
Valley of The Five Lakes- 4.5 km Loop
This VERY popular summer hike is also a designated Winter Hike. I recommend Yaktrax; I’m not sure snowshoes are necessary, as there isn’t a lot of snow in the valley.
There are some slippery spots along the steeper sections of the trail, in the winter, I would recommend this trail for families with older children.
PLAN B
The weather isn’t great, or perhaps the kids are not cooperating? Here are some Plan B’s.
6. Visit The Jasper-Yellowhead Museum
Visiting the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum is absolutely a family favorite! Best of all this is one of the nice warm winter activities in Jasper you can enjoy with your family.
7. Go For A Swim
The Jasper Fitness and Aquatic Centre is a great motivational tool to keep the kids going on the trails.
8. Play in a Park
My boys loved Centennial Park!
Download or pick up a Jasper National Park Winter Adventure Guide.
Don’t Forget Your Jasper Park Pass
For fun family-friendly activities in Jasper, you’ll need to make sure you have a Parks Canada pass.. Please feel free to reference my blog post on national Parks Passes in Canada, and how and where to get one.
Pick Up A Copy Of Take A Hike With Your Children
My sold out book, Take A Hike With Your Children, is now available on Amazon as an eBook. Pick up your copy today, and begin exploring the Rockies!