Jasper Skytram: Guide to Visiting Iconic Jasper Gondola in 2024

Jasper Skytram is the most iconic attraction in town and one of the best things to do in Jasper. Did you know it’s also the highest tramway in Canada? Enjoy the views of the Rockies from above, Jasper National Park, and Mount Robson, the highest mountain of the Rockies; you won’t regret it!

Since visiting Jasper for the first time, we’ve been drawn to its beautiful landscapes and crowdless trails. While Banff National Park gets all the fame, Jasper is the place to immerse yourself in nature without the insane crowds.

Jasper Skytram is an attraction we always recommend to first-time visitors to Jasper National Park, and we visited several times. Once you reach Mount Whistlers, you can explore hiking trails or picnic with stunning panoramic views.

After visiting in summer and spring (which looked like winter), I compared both visits and shared all the tips we gathered on our countless trips to Jasper so you can have the best trip ever.

*In the spirit of full disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through them, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support!

Jasper Skytram: our experience with & without snow

Jasper Skytram in spring with snow

We last visited Jasper Skytram in March, shortly after they opened for the season. Most of the town was snow-free, but Mount Whistlers, where the skytram goes up to, was still covered in snow.

There were no lines and, honestly, no other people. We could go straight up without waiting for our timeslot when we purchased the tickets, as is usually the case in busy summers.

The best thing about visiting Jasper Skytram so early in the season is the serene experience. The flight attendant (as they call the guide inside the skytram that goes up and down with people) was the only person in the cabin with us.

As the skytram was slowly going up the mountain, the views opened as soon as we cleared the treeline. The whole ride takes 8 minutes, plenty of time to enjoy the changing views.

The short boardwalk outside the upper terminal was cleared of snow, and they were also renting snowshoes for anyone wishing to go up the mountain for panoramic views.

After spending some time outside enjoying the views, our cheeks were numb from the wind, so we headed into the café for hot chocolate.

Jasper Skytram in summer

Experiencing Jasper Skytram in summer is a very different experience.

First, book your tickets for the morning or evening to avoid the crowds and line-ups.

Once you make it to the top, the views are staggering. You can hike 1.4 km from the upper terminal (2,263m) to the summit of Whistlers Mountain (2,463m) and stop at many viewpoints along the way.

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Where is Jasper Skytram?

Jasper Skytram is about a 15-minute drive from downtown Jasper, located next to the Marmot Basin Ski Resort.

How to get to Jasper Skytram

Unfortunately, there’s no public transport in Jasper, and you need to drive to Jasper Skytram with your own transportation. There’s a huge free parking lot at the base of the mountain.

Facilities at Jasper Skytram

There are limited facilities at the Jasper Skytram, but honestly, everything you might need:

• Lower Terminal has a parking lot, ticket station, a gift shop, restroom, and snacks at the Basecamp Café
• Upper Terminal offers a gift shop, bathroom, restaurant meals at Summit Café, a boardwalk and several hiking trails

Jasper Skytram schedule

Jasper Skytram is closed in winter and opens for the season on March 24, 2024.

These are the operating times in 2024 are as follows:

• Spring: March 24 – May 18 from 10 am to 5 pm
• Early Summer: May 19 – June 22 from 9 am to 5 pm
• Summer: June 23 – Sept 4 from 9 am to 5 pm
• Fall: Sept 5 – Oct 29 from 10 am to 5 pm

The last cabin departs an hour later than the scheduled ascent. Since the Jasper Skytram operates till 5 pm, the last cabin down departs at 6 pm.

Jasper Skytram prices

Ticket prices for Jasper Skytram are comparable to other gondolas in the Canadian Rockies.

Tickets that include a return flight cost as follows:

• Adults (16+ years) – 59.95 CAD (+5% GST)
• Youth (6-15 years) – 33 CAD (+5% GST)
• Child (Under 6 years) – FREE
• Dog Ticket (per pet) – 9 CAD (+5% GST)
• You can book your tickets here

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When purchasing your tickets, you’re asked to choose a boarding time for your ride up and down. While the ride up goes according to your preferred time, the time for your ride down is very flexible. If you stay longer on top, you can do so and line up for your ride down when you’re ready to leave.

It would be best to arrive at Jasper Skytram base at least 15 minutes before the boarding time stated on your tickets.

Best time for Jasper Skytram

While you can enjoy the beautiful views anytime when the skytram is open, I recommend visiting in June or September to get the best bang for your buck.

Summer is crazy busy at this attraction; you’re squeezed tightly in the cabin on your ride up and down, and since it’s not mandatory to go down at the exact time you booked your ticket, there are long line-ups.

June and September provide a much more serene experience while you can still enjoy snow-free hiking on top of Whistlers Mountain.

Is the Jasper Skytram family-friendly?

Jasper Skytram is one of the most family-friendly attractions in Jasper, where the whole family can enjoy the ride and hiking options.

Is the Jasper Skytram worth it?

If visiting Jasper is your main goal on your trip to the Rockies, then it’s worth a visit. Jasper Skytram ranks as one of the top attractions in Jasper every year on Tripadvisor.

However, if you’re also visiting Banff National Park, I’d recommend either Banff Gondola or Lake Louise Gondola.

Which gondola is better, Banff or Jasper?

Banff Gondola offers more options – bigger terminals with events, interactive displays, bigger restaurants and gift shops. Both gondolas have boardwalks and panoramic views from a mountaintop.

If you’re a hiker, the trail up Sulphur Mountain in Banff is way easier than hiking up the whole trail to Whistlers Mountain Summit in Jasper.

If you’re on the fence and only want to choose one, I’d highly recommend Banff Gondola (pictured below).

Things to do near Jasper Skytram

While there are endless options for fun things to do in Jasper, these are our favourites:

• Hiking Mount Edith Cavell
• Hiking Valley of the Five Lakes
• Maligne Lake Cruise

Where to stay near Jasper Skytram

The closest accommodation options are campgrounds. Jasper offers many amazing campgrounds, the newest and biggest being Whistlers Campground, which recently reopened.

If you like adventurous trips, book a Smile Campervan from us. It’s a budget-friendly option to see the Canadian Rockies without worrying about any camping equipment or setting up a tent. You can comfortably sleep, cook and eat in the campervan.

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For more details and pictures of campgrounds in Jasper, read our comprehensive Guide to camping in Jasper National Park.

Pyramid Lake Resort

Located by the iconic Pyramid Lake in Jasper, Pyramid Lake Resort offers cozy chalet-style accommodation with kitchenettes, lake views, complimentary fat bikes in winter, an outdoor hot tub, a sauna, and more.

Read our full review of Pyramid Lake Resort here. 

Click here to see more reviews and current availability.

Forest Park Hotel

Forest Park Hotel is located on the edge of town, so there are many wildlife viewings. It has modern rooms with upgraded kitchenettes, an amazing onsite restaurant, a big indoor pool with a hot tub, and more.

Read our full review of Forest Park Hotel here.

Click here to see hotel reviews and current availability.

Essential info about visiting Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park

To visit any national park in Canada, you must purchase a Park Pass (daily or yearly).

• 50 CAD per person for a daily pass, 21 CAD for a group/family
• 25 CAD per person for a yearly pass, 145.25 CAD for a group/family

The yearly Discovery Pass is valid for all National parks in Canada. You can purchase it at the gate when you enter the national park, in the Visitor’s Centre or online here.