Wildfire Fallout Felt as Marmot Basin Sees Drop in Visits

Last summer’s wildfire in Jasper National Park left scars beyond the forest line—this winter, Marmot Basin reported a 30% decline in skier visits, reflecting the broad and lingering impacts of climate-driven wildfire on mountain tourism in Canada.

The fire, which tore through sections of the park in July 2023, forced dozens of hotel rooms offline for the entire ski season, significantly reducing available accommodations in the town of Jasper. For a destination resort like Marmot Basin, where day traffic is limited and overnight visitors sustain the winter economy, the loss of lodging proved devastating.

“We knew it would hit our numbers,” said Brian Rode, Vice President of Marmot Basin, in an interview with The Jasper Fitzhugh. “Losing the rooms that we did in Jasper, we knew that would have the impact on our skier visits, and what we sort of expected in terms of business levels is exactly as it turned out.”

Operational challenges compounded the economic strain. Opening day was delayed 10 days due to unseasonably dry early conditions and limited snowmaking capacity—water typically reserved for snow was diverted to firefighting efforts. Power restoration to the mountain didn’t occur until late October.

Although snowfall returned and skier traffic improved by February—buoyed by record group bookings, particularly from U.K. school programs—the season ended well below average. Many would-be visitors assumed, incorrectly, that Jasper had suffered extensive permanent damage and opted to stay away.

A Sign of What’s to Come?
Marmot Basin’s struggles are not isolated. Across the West, fire seasons are growing longer, more intense, and increasingly disruptive to mountain communities that rely on both summer and winter tourism. Wildfire smoke, evacuations, resource reallocation, and misinformation can all impact a resort’s ability to operate—and recover.

While Marmot Basin is actively rebuilding and refocusing on what makes the Jasper experience unique—its natural quiet, lack of crowds, and stunning alpine scenery—this past winter is a reminder of how climate extremes are reshaping the business of snow.

With more wildfires anticipated this summer, ski areas across Canada will be watching closely. For some, it won’t just be a matter of forest health—it will determine whether the lights come on in time for next season.