This is the earliest opening date ever for Jasper Marmot Basin.

The “Eagle Express” high speed quad chairlift is operating and one intermediate run, “Tranquilizer”, will open today with more runs in the lower area expected to open the following weekend. “Tranquilizer” is the most popular intermediate run in the lower portion of the mountain and has a vertical drop of almost 1,000 feet.

Marmot has received 60 cm of natural snowfall on the mountain so far this season. Lift ticket rates for opening weekend are reduced by 50% to $33.31 plus GST for adults, $26.67 plus GST for youth, students and seniors and $11.91 + GST for children 12 and under.

The new chairlift being installed at Marmot Basin will be the largest and most significant ski area development in Alberta for 2009-2010 and will be the longest, high speed quad detachable chairlift in the Alberta Canadian Rockies. The chairlift will completely change the face of Marmot Basin providing a breathtaking improvement to the overall skier experience. The new lift is 2.3 km long and whisks skiers and riders up to 2,000 vertical feet in only 7.5 minutes. Lift lines will virtually be eliminated, meaning less waiting and more slope time.