There’s no place quite like Jasper National Park. And there’s no way to see it quite like the Jasper SkyTram.
Since 1964, Canada’s longest and highest aerial tramway has provided easy access to the Canadian Rockies’ high alpine zone — all just minutes from the Jasper townsite. Every visit to the Upper Station is unique, shaped by the season and your own sense of adventure. But one thing is certain: the experience will be nothing short of spectacular.
Here are five things to know about this must-visit Jasper National Park attraction.
Located 10 minutes from town on Whistlers Mountain, the Jasper SkyTram offers stunning views of the historic community, plus mountain ranges in every direction and a bird’s-eye-view of multiple alpine lakes in Jasper. On clear days, you can even spot Mount Robson — the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies — towering to the west.
FUN FACT: Whistlers Mountain is named after the distinctive warning call of the hoary marmots that call the peak home.
The Jasper SkyTram story starts in 1960, when William McGregor climbed to Whistlers Mountain’s summit. Enamored by the view, the Albertan adventurer got to work developing a way to share this sky-high vantage point en masse. In 1963, construction began on the Jasper SkyTram, with its opening following in the summer of 1964.
Since then, the Jasper SkyTram has played host to millions of visitors. Among them are dignitaries, celebrities and generations of return guests looking to share the spectacular views with loved ones.
In 2016, the Jasper SkyTram experienced a first when it served as a stop on The Amazing Race Canada. The on-site challenge saw contestants dangle below a tram car and navigate a set of monkey bars, with Jasper National Park’s stunning scenery serving as a dramatic backdrop.
While facilities, technology and even the view from the top have evolved over the decades, the Jasper SkyTram team remains committed to William McGregor's original vision — sharing this incredible place and the wonder it inspires.
FUN FACT: In 1977, then-Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau visited the Jasper SkyTram with his three sons — including future Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Your Jasper SkyTram adventure start in the Lower Station, where guests board at their Flight Time for the seven-minute guided ride to the Upper Station. Once there, you’re free to explore the high alpine your way!
You’ll find jaw-dropping views right outside on the boardwalk — an accessible spot to soak in the aerial views. From up here, you’ll have a clear view of the townsite below, as well as the Three-Valley Confluence, where the Athabasca, Miette and Maligne Valleys meet.
Looking to venture further (and higher)? Set your sights on the summit and hike for 1.4 kilometres (0.87 miles) to reach the true mountaintop. The summit trail is well trodden and worth the stroll for even more remarkable views above the clouds.
All this excitement is bound to work up an appetite! Luckily, you’ll find comfort food favourites, coffees, teas, cocktails and more at the Summit Café, located inside the Upper Station. When your pre-scheduled Return Flight time rolls around, you’ll find your ride back to the base here, too.
TIP: Want to extend your time up top? The team at the Upper Station can help modify your Return Flight.
The best time to visit the Jasper SkyTram all depends on what you’re hoping to experience.
Opening day typically lands around mid-March, when snow is still abundant in the high alpine. Luckily, the Jasper SkyTram offers snowshoe rentals to aid in treks to the summit. Rentals are available at the Upper Station until around May, or as conditions allow.
Peak season stretches from June through August, bringing long, sunny days and endless opportunities to explore. If you plan on visiting the Jasper SkyTram during the summer months, we highly recommend booking your visit online in advance.
The shorter days of September and October bring their own special moments, especially after dark. Each fall, the SkyTram teams up with the Jasper Planetarium for weekend stargazing sessions at the Upper Station. There’s no better place to appreciate the night sky than Whistlers Mountain, where expert guides will lead your telescope tour of the cosmos. If you’re extra lucky, you may even spot the northern lights from 2,263 metres above sea level.
FUN FACT: Jasper National Park is the second largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world (behind only Wood Buffalo National Park).
So, what makes the Jasper SkyTram a tram? And how is a tram different from a gondola? It comes down to movement.
The Jasper SkyTram has just two large cabins, capable of carrying more than 20 guests at once. These cabins alternate — when one ascends the mountain, the other always descends. Unlike a gondola, with many small cabins (40 at the Banff Gondola, for example) that perform a 180° turn at the top and bottom during a continuous loop, the Jasper SkyTram’s cabins remain fixed to the same straight cables, travelling back and forth without turning.
The ride itself takes around seven minutes from Lower Station to Upper Station. Guests experience an elevation gain of 948 metres (3,110 feet) while travelling up to six metres per second. At the Upper Station, you’ll find yourself at an elevation of 2,263 metres (7,425 feet), just shy of Whistlers Mountain’s summit at 2,463 metres (8,081 feet).
TIP: Getting here is easy! The Jasper SkyTram parking lot accommodates vehicles of all sizes, including RVs and buses. You can also take the SunDog shuttle from town.
Add some extra altitude to your adventures in Jasper. Book your visit to the Jasper SkyTram today.
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