School Ski Trip | School Skiing Trip to Marmot Basin (Jasper), Canadian Rockies, Canada
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Marmot Basin, the mountain closest to Jasper in Canada, offers schools ski trips an absolutely unique experience. Not only does the resort sit in some of the most stunning, snow-sure UNESCO scenery in the World, but all of the 321ski school groups benefit from further learning in avalanche training, GPS geo-caching, species awareness and safety in the mountains during the pupils' fully-supervised lunchtimes!
Marmot Basin caters well for all standards and is one of the few mountains for schools that is equally differentiated across the ablities. For beginners there is a green run off every lift (this has the obvious benefit in allowing beginners to experience the whole mountain) whilst the more advanced pupils will be tested with double diamond gravity defying runs into large snow bowls.
Trails are wide, importantly uncrowded, and they all lead back to the one base lodge; this makes Jasper safer than most resorts for our 321ski groups during the busiest school holiday weeks. With a 400cm average snowfall and a season that lasts from mid November to early May, Marmot Basin also guarantees schools excellent conditions - particularly in early and late season.
As a heavily UNESCO protected mountain, Marmot Basin ski area is truly unspoilt - to the extent where it is completely closed during the summer due to the number of prowling Grizzlies!
321ski groups stay in nearby Jasper town, approx 20 minutes away from the mountain. This friendly town has ice skating, aquatic centres, pizzerias, movie theatres and curling (!) all within walking distance of the hotels, making it ideal for evening activities.
Extended Learing
The unique Marmot Basin Learning Centre which is midway down the mountain offers our 321ski groups both theoretical and practical teaching with the aid of a specialist smartboard-equipped classroom. The week then culminates in an outdoor live explosive demonstration to trigger a real avalanche...
This takes place during the pupils' lunchtimes by the professional National Park staff, and curriculum links to Geography, Physics, KS5 Extended Projects and PHSE can be provided prior to departure; these are prepared by both the resort and [uniquely] the former teachers at 321ski.Additionally, any pupil who is able to parallel turn (and beyond) will be eligible to enrol and qualify as an Canadian Alpine Ski Instructor (CASI Level 1) by following a specialist itinerary in resort. This involves a few more ski days than a normal 5 day package, but it is a very real qualification that is in total keeping with the ethos of 321ski.
This region is right for your school ski trip if you're looking for...
At a Glance: Marmot Basin
Vertical drop: 3000ft
Trails: 1675 skiable acres
Best for: Uniquely - all standards
Largest base elevation in Canada
UNESCO Work Heritage Park
Unique learning opportunities with avalanche training
Qualify pupils as instructors!
An example of 321ski accommodation:
Lobstick Lodge, Jasper
Rooms: 2 queen sized beds: 4 pupil occupancy
Town: 5 minute walk
Slopes: 25 minutes shuttle up the mountain
Indoor Swimming Pool with jacuzzi
Three outside hot tubs
Walkable: aquatic centre, skating, curling
Breakfast and Evening meals onsite
Internet throughout
Chateau Jasper, Jasper
Rooms: 2 queen sized beds: 4 pupil occupancy
Town: 5 mins walk
Slopes: 25 minutes shuttle
Indoor Swimming Pool
Indoor hot tub
Breakfast and Evening meals onsite
Large meeting room suitable for activities
Internet throughout