Parking
Park at the Jasper SkyTram lower station lot; ride the tram to the upper terminal to start the summit hike.
Overview
About Whistlers Summit Trail
Why go
- Instant alpine terrain and views with minimal approach thanks to the tram
- On clear days, sightlines stretch to Mount Robson
Heads up
- Access depends on SkyTram operations and alpine weather
- Windy and fully exposed; the final stretch is steep and rocky
The payoff-to-effort ratio is excellent: sweeping views over the Jasper townsite, lakes, and major peaks, with a chance to spot Mount Robson on clear days. You’re above treeline almost immediately, with open tundra, bedrock, and hardy alpine plants. Hoary marmots and pikas are part of the alpine scene, so keep an ear out among the rocks.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy hike itMap & elevation
The route
Loading the Jasper map
Full mapElevation2,250–2,455 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Best time to go
Safety
8 active Jasper alerts
- ClosureWildfire-impacted areas and facilities closedMentions this trailStay out of closed wildfire-impacted areas and facilities in Jasper National Park; closures protect public safety after the 2024 wildfire and remain in effect while recovery and safety work continues.Official details
- Closure93A (Wabasso Road) no through travel during roadworkFrom mid-October to early November 2026, plan for 93A (Wabasso Road) to be accessible from the south entrance only; no through travel is expected during roadwork.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Jasper Tour Guide
Your drive to Whistlers Summit Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Jasper National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Jasper audio tourRecorded for this area
Jasper SkyTram: Ride to the Rooftop of JasperListen
“Up ahead is the road for the Jasper SkyTram, which is Canada's highest and longest aerial tramway. It’s a quick seven-minute ride that takes you right up into the alpine zone of Whistlers Mountain.”
Plays on the road 1.7 km from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Jasper Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Whistlers Peak Trail: Hike Up, Ride Down
- Beavers of Wynd Road
- Whistlers Campground
- Icefields Parkway: The Essential Briefing
- 157 audio storiesacross Jasper’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Caribou, Gray Wolf, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 91 trails, 129 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Whistlers Summit Trail
What you’re getting intoThe Whistlers Summit Trail is a roughly 1.7-mile (2.
The Whistlers Summit Trail is a roughly 1.7-mile (2.7-kilometre) out-and-back from the Jasper SkyTram upper station to the true summit of Whistlers Mountain. Most visitors spend 1–2 hours on the rocky, exposed climb. The mapped corridor is about 1.4 kilometres each way, and the exact visitor measurement varies with the signed summit route and start point. Expect roughly 200 metres (650 feet) of elevation gain, with the steepest footing near the top.
Trail feel and expectationsMost visitors ride the SkyTram and then hike to the summit.
Most visitors ride the SkyTram and then hike to the summit. The route is well marked but rocky and steeper near the top, with no shade and little shelter from wind. Facilities, including the restaurant, are at the upper tram station rather than along the trail. If you want more mileage, Indian Ridge is a separate outing from the same area; hiking up from the valley via The Whistlers Trail is a different, much longer experience.
Heads-upThis is fully exposed alpine terrain: bring layers, sun protection, water, and sturdy footwear,…
This is fully exposed alpine terrain: bring layers, sun protection, water, and sturdy footwear, and be ready for strong wind or changing weather. Stay on the designated route and check official park guidance before setting out. Dogs are not allowed on Jasper National Park trails.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Jasper
174 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
43 sightingsCaribouMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
40 sightingsGray WolfMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
12 sightingsCanada LynxMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
315 sightingsMooseMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
1,028 sightingsElkMost seen around 7 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Jasper. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
