Is Jasper SkyTram Worth It? Our Honest Experience (2026)

If you're planning a trip to Jasper National Park, you've probably noticed that there are quite a few paid activities to choose from. And when you see the price of the Jasper SkyTram, you might find yourself wondering: Is the Jasper SkyTram worth it?

We recently visited Jasper for the first time and paid $181.60 CAD for two people (approximately $129.12 USD) to ride the SkyTram. In this post, we'll share our experience and whether we think it was worth the price.

The Jasper SkyTram was by far the most expensive activity we did during our three days in Jasper. We kept most of our trip pretty affordable and chose the SkyTram as the one experience we wanted to splurge on.

By the way, if you're planning your own Jasper trip, don't forget to check out our other Jasper guides:

• Jasper on a Budget: 10 Free or Cheap Things to Do
• The Best 3-Day Jasper Itinerary from Edmonton (2026)

Is The Jasper SkyTraM Worth It?

Our honest answer is: it depends. Let me explain why.

The $181.60 CAD we paid for two people felt a little expensive to us. The 7-minute ride itself was fun and offered gorgeous views as we made our way up to the upper station.

But if we had only taken the SkyTram up, looked at the views, taken a few photos, and then headed back down, I don't think we would have considered it worth the price.

If that's all you're planning to do, we personally wouldn't recommend spending that much unless you're comfortable paying for the experience and views alone.

What changed everything for us was hiking toward Whistlers Summit after getting off the SkyTram.

We enjoy hiking, and being able to continue up the mountain and see the views from higher up made the entire experience feel worth the $181.60 CAD we spent.

So, is the Jasper SkyTram worth it? For us, yes, but especially if you're planning to hike toward Whistlers Summit after taking the tram. That's the part of the experience that made the price worth it for us.

How Much Does the Jasper SkyTram Cost?

The price of the Jasper SkyTram varies depending on your age and residency. As two adults who are not Alberta residents, we paid $181.60 CAD total for our tickets.

We bought our tickets directly at the station. However, afterward, we realized that tickets through Viator were available at a more convenient price, so it's worth comparing prices before you book.

If you're trying to save money elsewhere during your trip, check out our guide to Jasper on a Budget: 10 Free or Cheap Things to Do in Jasper.

Getting to the Jasper SkyTram

First, you'll need to get to the lower terminal of the Jasper SkyTram, located about 8 km south of Jasper town. We drove there with our friends, and it took us about 12 minutes from town.

When you arrive, you'll find plenty of parking spaces where you can leave your vehicle while you take the SkyTram.

We visited in mid-August, which is still considered high season, but we had no issues finding a parking spot. Our SkyTram ride was around 5 p.m., so going later in the day may have also helped us avoid bigger crowds.

Riding the Jasper SkyTram

You can buy your Jasper SkyTram tickets in advance or directly at the lower terminal. Once you have your tickets, you'll need to wait for your scheduled departure time. We bought ours just as the SkyTram was coming back down, so luckily, we didn't have to wait long at all.

We visited in mid-August, and surprisingly, it wasn't busy. The SkyTram can carry more than 20 passengers, but there were no more than 10 people on our ride. It didn't feel crowded at all.

The ride takes about 7 minutes and brings you to the upper station at 2,263 metres. A trained operator accompanies you during the ride and is available to answer any questions you might have.

Since there were only about 10 of us, everyone had plenty of room to look through the windows. As we slowly made our way up, we could see the forest below, the mountains, and Jasper town in the distance.

The ride didn't feel scary at all, although we could definitely feel our ears pop as we gained elevation. It was also very smooth. The operator let us know when the tram was about to move or swing slightly, which made the whole ride feel very safe.

From the SkyTram, we could also clearly see the impact of the 2024 wildfires. Even two years later, the changes in the forest were still very visible, especially in the different colours of the trees.

As we got closer to the upper station, we noticed the landscape changing. The vegetation slowly started disappearing, and the terrain became much rockier.

Once we arrived, the operator made sure everything was ready before letting everyone out. You step directly into the upper terminal, where one of the first things you'll see is the souvenir shop. If you take the stairs, you'll find the restaurant on the second floor.

The upper terminal also has doors on both sides, so you can step outside and immediately take in the mountain views. That was pretty cool and gave us our first glimpse of what we were about to see as we continued farther up.

Hiking Toward Whistlers Summit

Once you reach the upper terminal, you can explore the area, enjoy the views, and eventually take the SkyTram back down to the lower terminal. But we were feeling adventurous, so we decided to hike toward Whistlers Summit.

The trail from the upper station toward Whistlers Summit is about 1.4 km, according to current visitor information.

When we bought our tickets at the lower terminal, they asked if we were planning to hike and gave us a two-hour window before our scheduled return ride.

We started hiking, and I have to be super honest: I found it difficult.

We're not expert hikers, although I can normally handle longer hikes without a problem. It was noticeably colder than at the lower terminal, and as we gained elevation, my ears and head were pounding. But I still wanted to keep going.

I saw people coming back down with kids and older adults, and I remember thinking, "It can't be that difficult then!" So I kept going.

It took us more than an hour to reach the top. Aldo and our friend, who are both much more athletic and in great shape, made it to the summit in no time. For the rest of us, it took much longer.

But there's no pressure. You can go as slowly or as quickly as you need to, and there are a few benches along the way where you can stop, catch your breath, and continue when you're ready.

Eventually, we made it to the top, and oh boy, those views were incredible.

It truly felt like we were on top of the world. Everywhere we looked, there was another gorgeous view. After taking our time to get there, standing at the summit made the entire experience feel completely worth it.

Highly, highly recommended.

So, at this point, if you asked us, "Is the Jasper SkyTram worth it?" our answer would be 100% yes. For us, hiking toward Whistlers Summit was what made the experience worth the price.

What Can You See From the Jasper SkyTram?

The ride up takes about 7 minutes, which gives you plenty of time to look around and enjoy the changing views.

On our way up, we could see Jasper town on one side, surrounded by the mountains in the distance. On the other side, we had even more views of the Canadian Rockies. We also spotted a train making its way through the mountains below, which was pretty awesome to see from above.

When you look down, you can see the forest and vegetation beneath the SkyTram. You can also clearly see some of the areas impacted by the 2024 wildfires, where the damage to the trees is still visible.

And the higher you go, the more the landscape changes, until you eventually reach the much rockier terrain around the upper station.

What to know before riding the Jasper Skytram

Before deciding if the Jasper SkyTram is worth it for you, there are a few practical things that are helpful to know.

Check the Weather Before Booking

When we visited, the day was a little cloudy, but we still enjoyed the experience and were able to see most of the surrounding mountains.

Booking in advance has its advantages, but make sure you check the weather forecast before choosing your day. If it's raining or completely cloudy, you may not get the same views, and that could definitely affect whether the experience feels worth the price.

Bring Layers

Even if it's summer and feels warm at the lower terminal, you'll notice the temperature dropping considerably as you go higher.

Bring a jacket, preferably something windproof, because it can get windy up there. I went in shorts, and at one point, I definitely regretted it. If I did it again, I would wear long pants instead.

I'd also recommend bringing a hat or something to cover your ears, especially if you're planning to hike toward Whistlers Summit.

Bring Your Own Food

We brought our backpacks with homemade snacks, so we didn't need to buy anything at the upper terminal or worry about finding something we wanted to eat.

Once we reached the summit, we shared our snacks with our friends. We even shared some cookies with another lady who had only brought her purse.

If you're planning to hike, I'd definitely recommend bringing some snacks and water. It's a long way up, and having something to eat when you reach the top is very welcome!

Wear Proper Shoes if You're Hiking

If you're determined to hike toward Whistlers Summit, make sure you wear sturdy shoes with good grip.

This is especially helpful on your way back down, when loose rocks can make parts of the trail slippery. Shoes like sandals could make the hike more difficult than it needs to be.

Give Yourself Enough Time

When you buy your ticket, the staff will ask you what time you'd like to return. If you're planning to hike, let them know so they can give you enough time.

In our case, we had about two hours between our ride up and our scheduled ride back down, and that worked perfectly. We didn't need to change our return time and made it back to the upper terminal in time for our assigned SkyTram.

I also asked what would happen if we needed more time, and I was told we could speak with the staff at the upper terminal about changing our return ride. We didn't end up needing to do that, but it was good to know we had some flexibility.

Consider Whether You Actually Want to Hike

As I mentioned earlier, for us, the experience was worth the price because we added the hike toward Whistlers Summit.

If you think the views from the upper terminal will be enough for you, that's completely fine too. Just keep in mind that your experience will be different from ours, and that may affect your answer to the question, "Is the Jasper SkyTram worth it?"

There was also another experience available when we visited that combined the SkyTram with a multi-course meal at the restaurant. We didn't try it because we had brought our own food and were more interested in hiking, but it could be another way to make more of the experience if you enjoy trying local restaurants while travelling.

Who Might Not Think the Jasper SkyTram Is Worth It?

We've shared plenty of reasons why we think the Jasper SkyTram was worth it, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be the right experience for everyone.

Here are a few situations where you might feel differently:

If You Don't Enjoy Heights

If you're nervous about heights and don't like the idea of being suspended high above the ground in a tram, this experience might not be for you.

The ride felt very smooth and safe to us, but you're still travelling up the side of a mountain with large windows all around you. If that's something you know you wouldn't enjoy, you might prefer to spend that money on another Jasper experience instead.

If You Have Mobility Considerations

According to the accessibility information I found while researching our trip, the Jasper SkyTram itself and parts of the upper terminal area are wheelchair accessible. However, the hike toward Whistlers Summit is not wheelchair accessible, and there may also be limitations when accessing other areas of the upper terminal.

Since accessibility needs are different for everyone and facilities can change, I recommend contacting the Jasper SkyTram directly before your visit to confirm what will be accessible for you.

This is also worth considering when deciding, "Is the Jasper SkyTram worth it?" because, as I've mentioned throughout this post, the hike toward Whistlers Summit was a big part of what made the experience worth the price for us.

Conclusion

So, is the Jasper SkyTram worth it?

For us, yes, it was worth the price, but mainly because we added the hike toward Whistlers Summit.

That doesn't mean we think a 7-minute tram ride alone is worth almost $200 CAD for two people. What made it worth it for us was that taking the SkyTram gave us easy access to that elevation, the incredible views, and the opportunity to hike farther toward Whistlers Summit without having to climb the mountain from the bottom.

If you enjoy hiking, being outdoors, and seeing the Rockies from a completely different perspective, I think you'll get much more out of the experience.

However, I would definitely check the weather forecast before booking because the views are such a big part of what you're paying for.

I hope sharing our experience helps you decide whether the Jasper SkyTram is worth it for your own trip.

And if you're planning more adventures around Canada, make sure to check out our other Canadian travel guides to help you plan your route.

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• The Best 3-Day Jasper Itinerary from Edmonton (2026)
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