Jasper welcomes media for action-packed weekend

From Jan. 9 to Jan. 11, Jasper played host to members of the media from all over Alberta.  

Radio stations, TV outlets and newspapers were all included in the weekend’s festivities, which began Friday night at the Brew Pub for an informal meet and greet and a few pints of beer.  

Saturday was action-packed with breakfast starting at 7 a.m. For those who didn’t care to take to the slopes of Marmot Mountain for a day of skiing and snowboarding, a town tour was offered, which included spa treatments and wine tasting.  

However, the majority of the media community made its way up to the mountain for a sunny day of skiing and a great buffet lunch and learn at the Panorama mid-mountain chalet.  Greg Fenton, the park superintendent, as well as Mayor Richard Ireland regaled the assembled media about the finer points of Jasper.  Brian Rode and Dave Gibson Sr., of Marmot Basin were eager to impress, touting the upcoming building project, which will see the addition of a new high-speed quad chairlift for next winter. 

Lunch was followed by time-trial races for members of the media and trophies were presented later on in the evening for the fastest times. Sean Nardella, Parks Canada’s media relations official, nudged out the competition by beating the Fitzhugh in the snowboard category.  

The weekend was organized by Jasper Tourism and Commerce and culminated in a tasting buffet out at Jasper Park Lodge on Saturday evening.  The posh event, at least by media standards, featured a myriad of dishes and libations, the highlight being the bacon-wrapped bison tenderloin (which this Fitzhugh staffer and Nardella somehow took home as doggy bags) and an ice wine martini, prepared outdoors on an ice bar.  

Participants were shuttled back to town for an evening of music courtesy of Sam Hate and the Jackals at Champs bar at the Sawridge Inn.