Jasper SkyTram Up Whistlers Mountain
Canada's longest and highest guided aerial tramway; the Jasper SkyTram is a seven‑minute ride up to 2,263 m elevation.The Jasper SkyTram is the highest and longest guided aerial tramway in Canada, carrying visitors from the lower slopes of Whistlers Mountain to an upper station high above the treeline. The journey begins at around 1,258 meters above sea level and takes about seven minutes to ascend to 2,263 meters, offering sweeping views of the Athabasca Valley, surrounding peaks, and Jasper townsite along the way. The large tram cabins glide smoothly above forested slopes, revealing the changing landscape as you rise-dense spruce and fir give way to alpine meadows, rocky outcrops, and distant glaciers.
At the upper station, the air is cooler and the vistas stretch for miles in every direction. On clear days, you can spot Mount Robson, the tallest peak in the Canadian Rockies, far to the west. From here, many visitors take the well-marked trail to the true summit of Whistlers Mountain at 2,463 meters, a hike of about 1.4 kilometers each way with roughly 200 meters of elevation gain. Along the path, you may encounter alpine wildflowers in summer or hardy wildlife like marmots and pikas. The summit provides a breathtaking 360-degree view of rugged peaks, river valleys, and distant icefields.
Facilities at the upper station include a café with large windows where you can enjoy a meal or drink while taking in the scenery. Whether you stay to relax and watch the shifting light on the mountains or set out on a short alpine hike, the SkyTram experience combines the ease of an aerial ride with the thrill of a high-altitude adventure.
The Jasper SkyTram experience begins just a short drive from the Jasper townsite, where the lower terminal sits surrounded by tall evergreens and mountain views. Upon boarding, you step into a spacious tram cabin with large windows on all sides, allowing for uninterrupted panoramas during the ride. A trained operator is on board to guide the journey, pointing out landmarks such as Pyramid Mountain, the Athabasca River winding through the valley, and the jagged peaks of the Victoria Cross Range. The ascent takes you steadily above the forest canopy, where you can watch the patchwork of lakes, rivers, and meadows unfold far below. In the early morning, low-lying mist often swirls through the valley, giving the ride a dreamlike quality.
As you approach the upper terminal, the surrounding terrain changes dramatically. The treeline gives way to alpine tundra-windswept slopes covered in lichens, mosses, and hardy wildflowers during summer months. In spring, lingering snowfields glisten under the sun, while by autumn the vegetation turns golden and red. Wildlife encounters are common here; marmots often lounge on the rocks, emitting sharp whistles, while pikas dart among the boulders. Occasionally, bighorn sheep can be spotted grazing on the steep slopes nearby.
Stepping out at the upper station, you are greeted by crisp, cool air and sweeping mountain vistas in every direction. A network of wooden boardwalks and viewing decks make it easy to soak in the scenery without hiking, while interpretive panels share details about the geology, wildlife, and history of the area. For those seeking more adventure, the trail to Whistlers Mountain's true summit beckons. This path climbs gradually at first before winding along a rocky ridge, offering increasingly expansive views with each step. From the top, the landscape stretches endlessly-glacial peaks to the south, the Athabasca River snaking to the north, and endless ridges fading into the horizon.
Inside the upper station, the Summit Café offers a place to warm up or relax, with floor-to-ceiling windows so you never lose sight of the mountains. Many visitors spend time simply watching the changing light and shadows move across the peaks, as weather in the high alpine can shift quickly-one moment sunny and calm, the next dotted with dramatic clouds. The return trip down the SkyTram offers a whole new perspective, with the valley opening up before you and Jasper town gradually coming back into view. The combination of accessibility, dramatic scenery, and the option to step into an alpine world without a strenuous climb makes the Jasper SkyTram a signature experience in the Canadian Rockies.
Jasper SkyTram Up Whistlers Mountain
The hike to the summit of Whistlers Mountain begins right outside the Jasper SkyTram's upper station and is one of the most accessible alpine hikes in Jasper National Park. From the upper terminal at about 2,263 meters above sea level, a clearly marked trail leads you the final 1.4 kilometers to the true summit at 2,463 meters. The path is well-trodden and mostly a steady incline, gaining about 200 meters in elevation, but the thin air at this altitude can make it feel more challenging than the distance suggests. Even so, the route is considered moderate and is suitable for most visitors who are comfortable walking uphill on rocky terrain.The trail begins as a wide gravel path before narrowing into a rocky alpine track that winds along the ridge. Early on, you're already above the treeline, so the views open immediately in every direction-down to the Jasper townsite, across the Athabasca Valley, and out toward the surrounding peaks and glaciers. Along the way, you might spot hoary marmots sunning themselves on boulders, pikas carrying mouthfuls of grass to their burrows, or golden-mantled ground squirrels darting along the trail. In summer, patches of alpine wildflowers-such as moss campion, mountain avens, and glacier lilies-dot the rocky slopes.
As you near the summit, the landscape becomes more rugged, with loose rock and a sharper incline in places. On clear days, the reward from the top is extraordinary: a 360-degree panorama of the Canadian Rockies, including distant Mount Robson to the west, the snowy Columbia Icefield far to the south, and the sinuous ribbon of the Athabasca River below. The name "Whistlers" comes from the high-pitched calls of marmots that inhabit the slopes, and their whistles are often heard around the summit.
Because the weather at this elevation can change quickly, it's best to bring a windproof jacket, even in midsummer, and wear sturdy footwear for the uneven ground. The hike itself typically takes 30 to 45 minutes each way at a leisurely pace, though many visitors linger much longer at the summit to take in the views and photograph the ever-changing play of light across the mountains. For those seeking an unforgettable but relatively easy high-altitude adventure, the Whistlers Mountain hike is one of Jasper's most spectacular short treks.
Whistlers Mountain is one of Jasper National Park's signature peaks, rising to 2,463 meters and offering a commanding view over the townsite, river valleys, and the surrounding Canadian Rockies. Its slopes are part of the front range that greets visitors approaching Jasper from the south, and its broad ridges make it a natural vantage point. The mountain's name comes from the shrill, high-pitched whistles of the hoary marmots that inhabit its upper reaches. These "whistlers" use their calls to alert others of potential danger, and it's common to hear them long before you see them, especially in summer when they lounge on sunlit rocks.
Geologically, Whistlers Mountain is composed mainly of sedimentary rock laid down hundreds of millions of years ago when the area was a shallow sea. Over time, tectonic forces thrust these layers upward, and glaciers sculpted the present-day ridges and valleys. Today, the slopes display a variety of ecosystems: dense coniferous forest at the base, subalpine meadows dotted with wildflowers in midsummer, and sparse alpine tundra at the top where only hardy mosses, lichens, and low-growing plants survive. The changing vegetation bands are easily visible on the ascent, offering a clear illustration of how life adapts to altitude and harsh weather.
From the summit, the panorama stretches in all directions. To the north, you can see Pyramid Mountain with its distinctive reddish slopes, the Athabasca River winding past Jasper, and the glimmer of nearby lakes like Patricia and Pyramid. To the south, rugged ranges lead toward the Columbia Icefield, their snow-capped summits gleaming on the horizon. On exceptionally clear days, Mount Robson-the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies-can be spotted far to the west. The views are not just about mountains; the deep valleys and braided river systems below give a sense of the vast wilderness that defines Jasper National Park.
Whistlers Mountain can be unpredictable, with conditions that can shift rapidly even in summer. Mornings might be calm and sunny, but by afternoon, wind and low cloud can sweep over the summit, obscuring the view. Temperatures are often 10–15 degrees cooler than in the valley, and snow can linger on the upper slopes into early July. The mountain is most easily accessed via the Jasper SkyTram, but some hikers choose to climb from the base-an arduous full-day trek that gains over 1,200 meters and passes through all the mountain's life zones. Reaching the summit by tram or by foot, Whistlers Mountain offers one of the most dramatic and easily accessible high-alpine experiences in the Canadian Rockies.
Tours and Attractions in Alberta
Best Tours in Banff National Park »Best Tours in Jasper National Park »
Best Tours in Lake Louise »
Hikes in Banff National Park »
Hikes in Jasper National Park »
Best Hikes in Lake Louise »
Bow Falls »
Lake Louise »
Moraine Lake »
Peyto Lake »
Bridal Veil Falls »
Cascade Ponds & Bow Valley Parkway »
Lake Minnewanka »
Sulphur Mountain & Banff Gondola »
Tunnel Mountain »
Banff Park Museum »
Banff Upper Hot Springs »
Cave & Basin National Historic Site »
Johnston Canyon »
Mt. Norquay »
Sunshine Village »
Icefields Parkway »
Bow Valley Parkway »
Bankhead Ghost Town »
Cascade Ponds »
Cave and Basin Marsh Loop »
Fenland Trail »
Healy Pass »
Hoodoos Trail »
Johnston Lake »
Silverton Falls »
Upper Stoney Lookout »
Vermilion Lakes Drive »
Lake Minnewanka Viewpoints »
Norquay Green Spot Viewpoint »
Sulphur Mountain Summit Boardwalk »
Tunnel Mountain Summit »
Vermilion Lakes Scenic Drive »
Bow Falls Viewpoint »
Cascade Gardens Mountain Viewpoint »
Hoodoos Viewpoint »
Johnston Canyon Upper Falls »
Mount Edith Pass »
Surprise Corner Viewpoint »
Upper Stoney Lookout »
Athabasca Falls & Sunwapta Falls »
Athabasca Glacier & Jasper Columbia Icefield »
Athabasca Falls »
Dark Sky Preserve & Northern Lights »
Jasper SkyTram Up Whistlers Mountain »
Maligne Canyon »
Maligne Lake & Spirit Island »
Medicine Lake »
Miette Hot Springs »
Mount Edith Cavell & Cavell Meadows »
Pyramid Lake »
Skyline Trail »
Whitewater Rafting on the Athabasca River »
Hike Jasper | Tour Canadian Rockies | Jasper Columbia Icefield | Maligne Lake Boat Cruise | Jasper Wildlife | Book Banff National Park | Book Jasper National Park | Banff Gondola | Lake Minnewanka Boat Cruise | Athabasca River Rafting | Jasper Wildlife Tours| Rocky Mountain Train Tickets | Maligne Ice Walk | Shopping Jasper | Columbia Icefields Glacier Skywalk | Jasper SkyTram | Jasper Maligne Lake Cruise | Johnston Canyon | Golden Skybridge | Banff Boat Cruise | Tour Moraine Lake