Cross-country skiers in Jasper have a few new trails to choose from this winter, but will have to wait for some more snow before being able to take full advantage of the expanded network.

Because caribou recovery restrictions have led to the cross-country trails in the Maligne Valley no longer being track-set or packed mechanically, Parks Canada reviewed a list of several possible replacement areas this fall. An environmental assessment completed in November approved an extension of already existing trails in the Whistler’s campground and along the 93A highway, as well as the creation of a loop trail at the end of the Pyramid Lake Fire Road.

The Whistler’s loop now extends into the Marmot Meadows area, and the 93A network is now mechanically set all the way to the Geraldine lookout. Both have been set after the recent snow, said Steve Blake of Jasper National Park.

Two other areas that had been considered were Decoigne and Sunwapta Falls, but both were rejected in the environmental assessment.

“At Decoigne, we had concerns with wildlife movement,” said Blake. “Sunwapta Falls is a designated wilderness area for us, so that precludes any mechanical tracksetting.”

Despite not being machine-set or packed, both areas are still open to the public this winter, he added.

The new, six-kilometre Pyramid Lake loop has not been set this season due to the lack of snow in that particular area, but snow conditions elsewhere have enabled Parks to set trails in the Wabasso campground for the first time.

“It just typically hadn’t been having the right kind of snow cover,” Blake said of the Wabasso area, which has emerged as a popular choice with skiers. “We’ve been getting a very positive response from people.”

The pipeline trail, another favoured spot for a bit of exercise, is now packed, but has yet to be track-set, he said.

“We’d need about five more centimetres to do it.”

With two tracksetting machines at their disposal this year, Blake said that Parks is committed to, and capable of, setting trails very quickly after the snow falls.

“We trackset the ski trails generally as soon as we can,” he said. “If the snow fell on a Saturday morning we might wait until Monday because of the amount of traffic that will be on the trails anyway.”

Those who prefer to skate-ski rather than use the classic technique will have to be a bit more patient, he added. 

“Skating lanes usually get set a full 24 hours after snowfall — new snow just isn’t the right kind of snow for the equipment.” 

While conditions have certainly improved with the recent accumulation, Blake said that area trails are not in great shape yet.

“It seems like we’ve got lots of snowfall now because it’s been so dry — but what we’ve got now is just a basic amount. If we get some more snow then we’ll see some great quality skiing.”